Fluorite, known as the "second rare earth" of modern industry, is highly valued for its extensive applications in multiple fields. The distribution of fluorite resources in China presents an imbalance, which makes efficient beneficiation technology particularly crucial. The flotation method, as the main method for purifying fluorite, is subject to various factors that limit its effectiveness. The following are six commonly used strategies in fluorite flotation plants, aimed at optimizing the flotation process and improving the grade and recovery rate of fluorite.
Fluorite ore is usually accompanied by minerals such as quartz and calcite, and the presence of these impurity minerals has a significant impact on the selection and effectiveness of beneficiation processes. The hardness of ore also affects the efficiency of crushing and grinding, which in turn affects the recovery rate of concentrate. Therefore, a deep understanding of ore properties is the first step in improving flotation efficiency.
The grinding particle size directly affects the monomer dissociation of fluorite and gangue minerals, which in turn affects the grade and recovery rate of the concentrate. By adopting segmented grinding and stage selection processes, particle size can be controlled to ensure concentrate quality and achieve a balance between grade and recovery rate.
The slurry temperature has a significant impact on the flotation efficiency of fluorite, especially when using carboxylic acid collectors. Appropriately increasing the temperature of the slurry can enhance the solubility and dispersibility of the collector, but at the same time, attention should be paid to avoiding the mixing of gangue minerals caused by excessive temperature.
The pH value of the slurry is a key parameter affecting the floatability of fluorite and its gangue minerals. By using sodium carbonate or sulfuric acid as pH adjusters, maintaining the pH value of the slurry within the range of 8-10 can help improve the floatability of fluorite, especially when using oleic acid as a collector.
The selection and dosage of reagents have a significant impact on the separation efficiency in fluorite flotation process. By selecting collectors and inhibitors reasonably and adjusting their dosage, high recovery rates or high grades can be achieved at different stages.
The water quality has an undeniable impact on the effectiveness of collectors and inhibitors. When using oleic acid as a collector, the calcium and magnesium ions in the water may weaken the effectiveness of the agent. Therefore, pre softening the water source is an important measure to ensure flotation efficiency.
