Electrochemical Study on Flotation

Abstract

For the purpose of studying the principle of mineral flotation, the mechanisms of both mercury-collector reaction and mercury-depressant reaction were investigated by means of electrochemistry ; furthermore the mechanism of reaction between sulphide minerals and notation reagents was discussed. From the electrochemical discussion on the mechanism of flotation reactions, it may be concluded that the floatability of the mineral in flotation using xanthate as a collector and NaCN, KCN, or Na2S as a depressant is governed by the reaction accompanying the electron transfer, namely, the redox reaction. And it is confirmed that the change in electrode potential relates closely with the contact angle or floatability and consequently it plays an important role in flotation.