Differences in the beneficiation process between black tungsten and scheelite

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Tungsten is a rare metal with high melting point, high hardness and corrosion resistance. It has important strategic value in modern industry, national defense, military, high-tech and other fields. In nature, there are more than 20 kinds of tungsten resources. However, only black tungsten and scheelite are worth mining. So what are the differences between black tungsten and scheelite, and what are the differences in beneficiation process? (Recommended: Wormite beneficiation method)

1. The difference between wolframite and scheelite

Wormite: is mostly produced in high-temperature hydrothermal quartz veins. The main components are tungsten iron ore (FeWO₄) and tungsten manganese ore (MnWO₄). There are two types of monoclinic and orthorhombic columnar crystal systems. Its crystal structure is plate-like or columnar, and the aggregates are mostly plate-like. In terms of color, wolframite will become darker with the increase of iron content. It is mostly brown-red to black, opaque, with metallic luster or semi-metallic luster.

The hardness is relatively high, 5-5.5, the specific gravity is 7.1-7.5, and it has weak magnetism.

Scheelite: Mainly produced in contact metasomatic deposits, high-temperature hydrothermal veins and greisen, the main component is calcium tungstate (CaWO₄), which belongs to the tetragonal crystal system. The crystal is a tetragonal bipyramid close to an octahedron. The aggregates are mostly irregular granular and less dense blocks. In terms of color, scheelite is mostly gray, light yellow, light purple or light brown, transparent to or transparent, with glass luster or diamond luster. The hardness is 4.5-5, the specific gravity is 5.9-6.2, and it is non-magnetic.

2. Beneficiation methods of wolframite and scheelite

Due to the great differences in the mineralization conditions, ore properties, hardness, specific gravity, crystal structure, etc. of wolframite and scheelite, there are also great differences in the beneficiation of the two tungsten ores. Usually, wolframite is often mainly processed by gravity separation due to its large specific gravity; while scheelite is mostly processed by flotation as the main beneficiation process.

1. Beneficiation methods of wolframite

Commonly used gravity separation methods for wolframite include jigging gravity separation, shaking table gravity separation, chute gravity separation and heavy medium gravity separation.

Jig gravity separation: Utilize the density difference between wolframite and gangue minerals, and separate the minerals by density under the action of vertical alternating water flow. When the water flow rises, the light minerals are washed up, while the wolframite particles with higher density remain at the bottom of the bed; when the water flow drops, the wolframite particles are subjected to a greater downward force and continue to remain at the bottom of the bed, while the light minerals are carried away by the water flow.

Shaking table gravity separation: Utilize the movement difference between wolframite and gangue minerals on the bed surface for separation. The bed of the shaking table is mechanically shaken and the horizontal water flow is combined to separate the minerals according to density and particle size. The wolframite particles with higher density move slowly on the bed surface and gradually gather at the concentrate end of the bed surface; while the gangue minerals with lower density move faster and are carried to the tailings end by the water flow.

Chute gravity separation: is to separate wolframite and gangue minerals by the difference in movement under the centrifugal force and gravity in the spiral chute. The cross section of the spiral chute is parabolic. When the slurry flows in the spiral chute, the minerals are separated according to density and particle size due to the centrifugal force and gravity. The wolframite particles with higher density move on the outer edge of the spiral chute and gradually gather at the concentrate end of the chute; while the gangue minerals with lower density move on the inner edge of the spiral chute and are carried to the tailings end by the water flow.

Heavy medium gravity separation: is to separate wolframite and gangue minerals by using the difference between sinking and floating in heavy medium. Heavy medium generally uses solid particles or liquids with a density greater than water, such as ferrosilicon, magnetite powder, barite powder, etc. After the ore is mixed with the heavy medium, it is placed in the heavy medium separator. The wolframite particles with a density greater than that of the heavy medium sink, while the gangue minerals with a density less than that of the heavy medium float, thereby achieving separation.

2. Scheelite beneficiation method

Scheelite flotation Commonly used methods include fatty acid collector flotation, chelate collector flotation and cationic collector flotation.

Fatty acid collector flotation:Fatty acid collectors (oleic acid, sodium oleate, etc.) are used in the pulp to physically or chemically adsorb on the surface of scheelite, making the surface of scheelite hydrophobic, so that it can attach to the bubbles and be floated out of the pulp.

Chelating collector flotation:Because it contains specific functional groups, it can form stable chelates with metal ions on the surface of scheelite, making the surface of scheelite hydrophobic. Compared with fatty acid collectors, chelating collectors have higher selectivity and stronger collection ability.

Cationic collector flotation: Under specific pulp conditions, cationic collectors can adsorb on the surface of scheelite, making the surface of scheelite positively charged () and react with the surface of scheelite through electrostatic adsorption or ion exchange, changing the surface electrical properties of scheelite, thereby separating it from the negatively charged gangue minerals.

The above is the difference between black tungsten and scheelite ore and the introduction of tungsten beneficiation methods. In actual beneficiation plants, there are great differences between scheelite and black tungsten, and the beneficiation methods are also different. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct beneficiation tests and design suitable tungsten beneficiation process plans through test analysis.

Xinhai has rich experience in tungsten beneficiation. It can not only conduct tungsten beneficiation test analysis and design tungsten beneficiation process plans, but also provide a complete set of tungsten beneficiation equipment and equipment installation and commissioning and beneficiation plant operation management, using technology and services to escort the beneficiation plant.