Barite and fluorite are often found together, and separating the two has always been a challenge. So why is it difficult to separate barite and fluorite? What methods are effective for separation? Let's take a look together!
This is because both barite and fluorite are calcium minerals, with extremely similar mineral density and floatability. Additionally, the presence of other silicate minerals as associates causes interference with the flotation effect. Conventional flotation separation methods make it challenging to separate them. Using these conventional methods not only complicates the process structure but also requires large amounts of reagents, leading to increased costs and impacting economic benefits.
Conventional flotation separation methods are ineffective for separating barite and fluorite. Researchers have conducted extensive experimental studies on the properties of both minerals and have developed a new flotation separation method. This method allows for the recovery of barite minerals, achieving higher concentrate grades and ore recovery rates.
The flotation reagents include sulfuric acid as a pH regulator, sodium silicate and calgon as inhibitors, hydroxamic acid as an activator, and oleic acid as a collector. The specific steps and reagent scheme are as follows:
1.Grind the ore using a ball mill until mineral monomers are dissociated, then mix with water to form a slurry and enter the flotation stage. During flotation, adjust the slurry pH to 5-5.5 with sulfuric acid.
2.Add sodium silicate and calgon to inhibit quartz minerals.
3.Activate barite using hydroxamic acid.
4.Collect the activated barite with oleic acid as a collector, gather the barite minerals, and obtain barite concentrate products through a concentration process.
In this flotation process, the consumption of reagents, including sulfuric acid, sodium silicate, calgon, hydroxamic acid, and oleic acid, is as follows:
1.Sulfuric acid: 1500-2500 grams/ton
2.Sodium silicate: 1000-3000 grams/ton (roughing), 500-1000 grams/ton (scavenging), 300-600 grams/ton (cleaning)
3.Calgon: 50-100 grams/ton (roughing), 20-30 grams/ton (scavenging), 10-20 grams/ton (cleaning)
4.Hydroxamic acid: 100-200 grams/ton (roughing), 50-80 grams/ton (scavenging)
5.Oleic acid: 400-600 grams/ton (roughing), 200-400 grams/ton (scavenging)
By employing the above flotation method, successful separation of barite and fluorite is achieved, ensuring concentrate grades and ore recovery rates, thus solving the separation challenge.
