Role of dissolved mineral species in quartz flotation and siderite solubility simulation

The effect of siderite dissolution on quartz recovery in the froth product and the effect of pH, ions, and temperature on siderite dissolution were investigated. Microflotation, PHREEQC simulation, solution chemistry calculation and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were conducted. It was observed that the dissolved species of siderite exhibited negative impact on quartz flotation. This influence became weak to some extent by either stripping the dissolved species or shortening dissolution time. Siderite was easily dissolved in the presence of calcium ion under strong alkaline conditions and its solubility increased with increasing the calcium ion concentrate and temperature. When the calcium ion was added as an activator of quartz under strong alkaline conditions (pH greater than 9.96), calcium existed mainly in the CaCO3 precipitation form according to the solubility rule in the presence of siderite. It is concluded that using a collector for low temperature flotation or flotation under neutral (or weak alkaline) medium would be helpful for the reverse flotation of iron ores containing siderite.
The effect of siderite dissolution on quartz recovery in the froth product and the effect of pH, ions, and temperature on siderite dissolution were investigated. Microflotation, PHREEQC simulation, solution chemistry calculation and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were conducted. It was observed that the dissolved species of siderite exhibited negative impact on quartz flotation. This influence became weak to some extent by either stripping the dissolved species or shortening dissolution time. Siderite was easily dissolved in the presence of calcium ion under strong alkaline conditions and its solubility increased with increasing the calcium ion concentrate and temperature. When the calcium ion was added as an activator of quartz under strong alkaline conditions (pH greater than 9.96), calcium existed mainly in the CaCO3 precipitation form according to the solubility rule in the presence of siderite. It is concluded that using a collector for low temperature flotation or flotation under neutral (or weak alkaline) medium would be helpful for the reverse flotation of iron ores containing siderite.