The role of gold ore flotation reagents is to change the floatability of the mineral surface, enhance the dispersion of air in the pulp, increase the stability of the foam, and eliminate the ions that harm the flotation process, so as to ensure a good flotation operation. According to the different properties and functions, flotation agents can generally be divided into three categories: collectors, foaming agents and regulators.
The function is to expand the difference in wettability between minerals, and to form a hydrophobic film on the surface of the minerals, which is conducive to the attachment of ore particles and air bubbles, so as to play a role of collection, so that gold-bearing minerals can be effectively separated from gangue minerals. According to the different functions of the agent on the surface of the mineral, the commonly used collectors in gold flotation plant are: xanthate, black powder, ammonium black powder.
The function is to reduce the surface tension of the interface between water and air, so that the bubbles form a large and stable foam, which is used as a medium for the separation of floatable minerals and other minerals. Commonly used foaming agents for gold flotation are: No. 2 oil, camphor oil, heavy pyridine, cresol acid, etc.
The function is to change the surface properties of minerals, improve the selectivity of the flotation process, strengthen the efficiency of the collector, and improve the flotation conditions of the pulp. According to their different functions, regulators are also divided into active agents, inhibitors and pH adjusters. Commonly used inhibitors in gold ore flotation plants are lime, cyanide, sodium sulfide, dichromate, etc.; adjusters include lime, sodium carbonate, caustic soda and sulfuric acid.
The function is to create a film on the surface of the mineral that promotes the attachment of the collector and improve the floating ability of the mineral, so as to remove the inhibitory film on the mineral surface and restore the original floating activity of the mineral. Commonly used activators in gold flotation plants are: sodium sulfide, lead nitrate, lead acetate, copper sulfate, etc.
Flotation machines are the necessary equipment to complete the whole flotation process. The commonly used flotation equipment in gold ore dressing plants are mainly mechanical agitation flotation machines and aerated agitation. Besides, there are rod flotation machines, flotation columns and so on.
It has the function of self-aspirating, which relies on the stator and rotor to complete the aeration and stirring of the pulp during operation. Because there is no need for an external aeration device, the middling can return by its own flow, and the horizontal setting can be adopted, eliminating the input of the lift pump. Common models are: SF type flotation machine, JJF type flotation machine and BF type flotation machine. Among these types, SF flotation machine is suitable for roughing and sweeping selection in medium and large gold ore dressing plants; JJF type is suitable for sweeping and selection in various processing plants; BF type is suitable for roughing in medium and small gold ore dressing plants.
It does not have the self-aspirating function, so an external aeration device is needed to stir the pulp through the agitator, and the external blower is used to feed the air. However, when the middling returns, it needs to be transported by a lift pump. The main equipment is: XCF type flotation machine and KYF type flotation machine. Among them, the XCF type flotation machine is suitable for roughing and sweeping operations in medium and large gold concentrators; the KYF type flotation machine is used for roughing and sweeping operations for processing gold ore with relatively single property.
Same as the agitation flotation machine, rod flotation machine is also a self-aspirating flotation device. It uses the rotation of the rod wheel to form a negative pressure inside, and sucks through the hollow shaft to realize the mixing of the slurry and the gas to complete the flotation operation. Generally, rod flotation machines are suitable for medium and small gold ore dressing plants for roughing operations.
The flotation column is a deep trough compressed air flotation equipment, which is supplied with air by an inflatable device during operation. Flotation column is commonly used for gold-bearing sulfide ores a in small-scale concentrators.
