Talc flotation—an overviewShow others and affiliations
2021 (English)In: Minerals, E-ISSN 2075-163X, Vol. 11, no 7, article id 662
Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Talc is a naturally hydrophobic gangue mineral in most sulfide ores. However, talc has vast applications in the cosmetics, paper, and paint industries due to its high chemical stability, and its demand continues to grow. Since flotation is the most effective beneficiation technique for up-grading sulfides, the high hydrophobicity of talc has made its selective separation challenging. This paper explored the different properties of talc and the different factors that affect its flotation separation performance as a proven versatile beneficiation technique. Surface properties, zeta potential measurements, contact angles, and other factors affecting the talc flotation efficiency were discussed in detail. It was observed that the surface face/edge ratio (particle size) has a direct relationship with the level of talc hydrophobicity. Talc surfaces are negatively charged in a wide pH range (pH 2–12). Different depressants have already been studied; however, most of them showed low selectivity. The addition of ions such as Ca2+ could enhance talc depression. Pretreatment methods such as ultrasonic and thermal treatments were reported to decrease the talc floatability. It was demonstrated that the development of new selective depressants or pretreatment options for talc flotation requires attention in future investigations to improve its selective separation.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2021. Vol. 11, no 7, article id 662
Keywords [en]
Surface properties, Talc depression, Talc froth flotation, Talc hydrophobicity
National Category
Inorganic Chemistry Physical Chemistry
Research subject
Biochemical Process Engineering; Mineral Processing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-86074DOI: 10.3390/min11070662ISI: 000676700300001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85108203384OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-86074DiVA, id: diva2:1574317
Note
Validerad;2021;Nivå 2;2021-06-28 (beamah);
Forskningsfinansiär: European Union, Russia, Norway, Finland, and Sweden
2021-06-282021-06-282024-01-17Bibliographically approved