Flotation method, process and reagents for copper ore

Copper flotation is an important mineral processing technology in the development of copper resources. Different types of copper ores have different flotation methods and technical options due to their differences in ore composition and physical properties. By reasonably adjusting crushing, grinding, slurry adjustment and the selection of flotation reagents, the recovery rate of copper minerals and the quality of concentrate can be effectively improved. The following will introduce the flotation process of copper sulfide and copper oxide, the flotation process and the selection of flotation reagents to help you better understand copper flotation.

1. Copper ore flotation process

Sulfide copper ore flotation: The efficiency of the copper sulfide ore flotation process is closely related to the particle size distribution of the ore, the mineral embedding particle size and the physical and chemical properties of the mineral surface. When the copper sulfide ore particle size is too fine, it is difficult to beneficiate the ore, and the excessively fine ore particle size will cause the loss of copper ore. Therefore, when processing copper sulfide ore, it is necessary to carefully control the crushing and grinding processes to ensure a good flotation state. In the flotation process of copper sulfide ore, a suitable collector can be effectively adsorbed on the surface of copper sulfide minerals to form a hydrophobic film, promote the combination of minerals and bubbles, and achieve the separation of target minerals and gangue minerals. In actual production, the use of xanthate collector can effectively improve the recovery rate and concentrate grade of copper.

Oxidized copper ore flotation:Oxidized copper ore is mainly composed of malachite, azurite, chrysocolla and other minerals. These mineral compositions are relatively complex, so the flotation of oxidized copper ore is more difficult than that of sulfide copper ore. The flotation of oxidized copper ore requires more precise adjustment of the slurry and pH value to ensure that the collector and frother can effectively act on the mineral surface. When the slurry pH value is around 9-10, the flotation effect of oxidized copper ore is better. However, the flotation of oxidized copper ore needs to be optimized according to the ore composition and characteristics to achieve effective recovery of copper ore resources.

2. Copper ore flotation process

Crushing and grinding of copper ore:Crushing and grinding will directly affect the efficiency and effect of subsequent copper flotation. Crushing is to break large pieces of copper ore into smaller particles for subsequent grinding operations, while grinding is to grind the crushed copper ore into a particle size suitable for flotation. When processing copper sulfide ores, fine grinding can enhance the activity of the mineral surface, thereby improving the adsorption efficiency of the collector. In actual production, the selection of grinding and fine grinding needs to comprehensively consider the properties of the copper ore, the type of flotation reagents and the performance of the flotation equipment.

Copper ore slurry adjustment: In the copper flotation process, slurry adjustment directly affects the flotation efficiency and the quality of the final copper concentrate. Slurry adjustment mainly includes slurry concentration, temperature, pH value and flotation reagent addition. The slurry concentration generally needs to be controlled within a certain range, and the solid content is generally 25%-40% to ensure that the mineral particles can fully contact the flotation reagent. Since temperature affects the solubility and reaction rate of the reagent, temperature control is also crucial. Usually the slurry temperature needs to be controlled at 20-30 degrees Celsius. The adjustment of the slurry pH value needs to be determined according to the type of ore and the characteristics of the reagent used. The pH value of the flotation slurry of copper sulfide ore needs to be adjusted to 8-11. In addition, during the slurry adjustment process, it is also necessary to consider adding an appropriate amount of dispersant or flocculant to improve the fluidity of the slurry and the dispersion state of the mineral particles. Through these adjustments, the selectivity and recovery rate of copper ore flotation can be significantly improved, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of copper ore resources.

3. Copper ore flotation reagent selection

Collector: The commonly used collectors for copper sulfide ore flotation are xanthate (butyl xanthate or isopentyl xanthate). This type of collector can form a hydrophobic surface on the surface of copper sulfide minerals and improve the flotation effect of minerals. Fatty acid collectors (oleic acid and its salts) are commonly used for the flotation of oxidized copper ores. This type of collector can form stable salts with the surface of oxidized copper ores under alkaline conditions to enhance the hydrophobicity of minerals. In actual production, the type and selection of collectors need to be optimized according to the properties of the copper ore and flotation conditions.

Frother: The selection of a suitable frother needs to consider factors such as the properties of copper ore, flotation reagent system, pulp pH value, and flotation equipment type. For the flotation of copper sulfide ores, frothers such as pine oil and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) can be used. These frothers can effectively reduce the surface tension of bubbles and increase the amount of bubbles carried, thereby improving the grade and recovery rate of copper concentrate. In actual production, the amount of frother needs to be precisely controlled, otherwise it will have an adverse effect on the flotation effect.

In summary, the copper ore flotation process varies depending on the type of ore. Scientific process design and parameter control are the key to improving copper recovery and concentrate grade. With the continuous advancement of technology, the copper flotation process will be further optimized, which can not only improve the utilization efficiency of copper resources, but also reduce the impact on the environment.