Influence of pulp alkalinity on apatite flotation

Abstract

This work was aimed at finding out the need to control the alkalinity of the pulp at the Khibinogorsk concentrator. The main attention in the work was paid to the study of the properties of minerals and flotation of apatite with different pulp alkalinity. Experiments showed that the process of dissolving apatite in the pulp is very slow and does not reach a state of equilibrium within 60 minutes (for large fraction - 20 mesh). The article provides potentiometric measurements and test results. During apatite flotation, the alkalinity of the pulp significantly affects the results of the process. High alkalinity reduces the concentrate recovery rate, and for a given flotation duration, apatite recovery is reduced. Increasing the consumption of oleic acid speeds up the process.