Reliable information on the surface state of sulphide copper minerals and regularities of sulphidization and flotation of oxidized copper minerals, the composition of sorption layer on the mineral surface forming during its interaction with xanthate or dixanthogen, and the influence of collector forms sorption on the copper minerals floatability and on the optimal conditions for these minerals flotation and depression has been obtained at present. The determined physicochemical models in the form of quantitative equations have been derived for the optimal conditions of flotation and depression of copper minerals under changing pH value and of sodium sulphide, lime, cyanide, zinc–cyanide complexes additions. The equations derived were proven in the laboratory and industrial scale and can be used both in automatic control systems at plants and for improvement of technological processes of selective flotation of copper containing ores.

The collector-less flotation of pyrite has been studied by conventional techniques and is correlated to the electrochemical behaviour of pyrite in alkaline solution (1m NaClO4, pH 11). It was concluded that the initial oxidation of pyrite produces a hydrophobic sulphur rich surface together with hydrophilic iron hydroxide species. Also upon grinding, the surface is covered by hydrophilic species and therefore no significant flotation was obtained in the absence of a collector. However, collectorless flotation was readily obtained in an iron complexing solution like EDTA. This indicates that the remaining sulphur-rich layer is responsible for the floatability of pyrite under these conditions.

The formation of thin wetting films on silica surface from aqueous solution of a) tetradecyltrimetilammonium bromide (C14TAB) and (b) surfactant mixture of the cationic C14TAB with the anionic sodium alkyl- (straight chain C12-, C14- and C16-) sulfonates, was studied using the microscopic thin wetting film method developed by Platikanov. Film lifetimes, three-phase contact (TPC) expansion rates, receding contact angles and surface tension were measured. It was found that the mixed surfactants caused lower contact angles, lower rates of the thin aqueous film rupture and longer film lifetimes, as compared to the pure C14TAB. This behavior was explained by the strong initial adsorption of interfacial complexes from the mixed surfactant system at the air/solution interface, followed by adsorption at the silica interface. The formation of the interfacial complexes at the air/solution interface was proved by means of the surface tension data. It was also shown, that the chain length compatibility between the anionic and cationic surfactants controls the strength of the interfacial complex and causes synergistic lowering in the surface tension. The film rupture mechanism was explained by the heterocoagulation mechanism between the positively charged air/solution interface and the solution/silica interface, which remained negatively charged.

The stability and interactions in thin wetting films between the silica surface and air bubble containing (a) straight chain C10 amine and (b) cationic/anionic surfactant mixture of a straight chain C10 amine with sodium C8, C10 and (straight chain) C12 sulfonates, were studied using the microscopic thin wetting film method developed by Platikanov [Platikanov D., J. Phys. Chem., 68 (1964) 3619]. Film lifetimes, three-phase contact (TPC) expansion rate, receding contact angles and surface tension were measured. The presence of the mixed cationic/anionic surfactants was found to lessen contact angles and suppresses the thin aqueous film rupture, thus inducing longer film lifetime, as compared to the pure amine system. In the case of mixed surfactants hetero-coagulation could arise through the formation of positively charged interfacial complexes. Mixed solution of cationic and anionic surfactants shows synergistic lowering in surface tension. The formation of the interfacial complex at the air/solution interface was confirmed by surface tension data. It was also shown, that the chain length compatibility between the anionic and cationic surfactants system controls the strength of the interfacial complex. The observed phenomena were discussed in terms of the electrostatic heterocoagulation theory, where the interactions can be attractive or repulsive depending on the different surface activity and charge of the respective surfactants at the two interfaces.

This paper considers the conditions required for direct flotation of calcite. Flotation experiments have been performed with oleate as the collector reagent and water glass as the dispersant and modifier. To be able to explain what happens in the flotation, solubility and adsorption experiments have been conducted parallel to, and under the same conditions as, the flotation experiments. Theoretical equilibrium calculations have been made with the help of data from the practical experiments for the purpose of modelling the adsorption experiments. With theoretical equilibrium calculations it is possible to predict that silicate ions will form complexes with calcium ions at the mineral surface.

Flotation experiments in a Hallimond tube have been performed on calcite and apatite at pH levels and oleate concentrations judged to be interesting from the point of view of adsorption isotherms. For the calcite system, adsorption isotherms indicate precipitation of calcium oleate after monolayer formation at pH 9, 10 and 11. In the apatite system, a double layer of oleate is formed. This means that apatite, unlike calcite, is sensitive to collector reagent overdosage. With the aid of FTIR techniques it is possible to demonstrate the existence of a surface complex in the apatite system with a calcium-oleate ratio of 1:1 at monolayer coverage of the surface. In conditions corresponding to bulk precipitation of calcium oleate, this compound can be detected by FTIR analysis of unfloated material.

Physical characteristics of mineral aggregates (such as density, size, shape, structure and strength) formed by either electrolytic coagulation or polymeric flocculation, need to be critically controlled by optimum conditioning in mineral processing. The present paper discusses the various experimental techniques used to determine these properties. In addition, physical and chemical factors that determine the rates of floe growth and which subsequently influence the floe morphology are summarised. This review also elucidates the hydrodynamic aspects of creeping flow and summarises the various settling velocity equations pertaining to the calcuation of floe density.

Grinding and flotation experiments on a Pb-Zn ore were carried out to evaluate: 1) wear of the grinding media both in the presence and absence of an inhibitor and 2) effect of the inhibitor on the flotation of Pb---Zn minerals. The percentage reduction in the wear of the grinding media was observed to be between 25–36%, depending on the type of the inhibitor and its critical concentration. The inhibitors used in the investigation were sodium sulphite, sodium nitrite, sodium chromate and sodium silicate. The results indicate that a specific corrosion inhibitor, for example sodium sulphite, may give better recoveries and grades in flotation but is not as efficient as sodium chromate in inhibiting the wear of the grinding media. Pulp solutions (after grinding) analysed for metal ion concentrations showed low Fe. Iron released into the solution as a result of corrosion reactions subsequently forms insoluble hydroxy complexes and may coat the mineral surfaces. Such hydrophilic coatings may adversely affect the floatabilities of minerals. The particle size analysis of the ground product has been carried out and the results are discussed.

The effects of slurry concentration, filtration pressure and particle size distribution on the resistance of a filter cake are studied, and an attempt is made to examine the filtration process with reference to the structure of the filter cake. Micrographic analysis clearly demonstrates the effect of particles segregation on filtration rate. The resistance of the cake rises with increasing solids concentration of the slurry, mainly due to a lower degree of particle segregation.

Direct measurement of the porosity variation in filter cakes by image analysis has been tested on chalcopyrite and magnetite slurries. It was found to give more accurate results than previous indirect methods, especially at the surface of the cake. Microscopy and image analysis visualize the effect of particle size, particle segregation and air bubbles on cake porosity. In a filter cake formed under constant pressure, the maximum porosity is shown to occur in regions inside the cake, rather than on the surface.

Two methods for the consolidation of filter cakes are developed; one of them is based on acrylate plastic as an impregnating medium, and the other uses epoxy resin and is suitable for sulfide-carrying materials, where the first one fails. Even cakes formed from fine particles ( less than 38 mu m) can be consolidated using these methods. Specimens prepared with acrylate offer no difficulties in grinding and polishing; those prepared with epoxy resin, however, call for procedures with bonded grinding media, and the sections are preferably examined under a scanning electron microscope. Direct comparison between the consolidation methods has not been made. Porosity and pore size distribution are measured in filter cakes formed from two different materials using a computerized image analyzer.

How material properties, cake characteristics and operating parameters affect the filtration rate and the final moisture content was investigated by laboratory test with a concentrate from a complex sulfide ore. Porosity and pore size distribution were measured by automatic image analysis. With optimum conditions, a moisture content of 5. 5% was achieved. A copper/lead concentrate floated from a complex sulfide ore at the Stekenjokk concentrator of Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden was used.

To flocculate slimy material dispersed in water is a common operation in mineral processing either to recover the material or to clear the water. In laboratory tests with flocculated slurries, floc sizes, porosity and sizes of filter cakes were measured by automatic image analysis. An observed decrease in filtrate flow rate at flocculant overdosage was not caused by a smaller mean floc size but may have been due to an obstruction of the pore channels by adsorbed polymer threads. Samples of a copper/lead concentrate floated at the Stekenjokk concentrator of Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden, were used for this investigation.

It is shown that most particles in a filter cake have more than only point contact with each other. Therefore, the Kozeny-Carmen equation is modified by relating permeability to porosity and a mean pore diameter as measured by automatic image analysis in horizontal cross sections of the cake. In filter cakes of chalcopyrite and magnetite, the permeability increases stepwise with the product of porosity and square mean pore diameter.

Sulfide mineral flotation is known to be affected by oxidation-reduction conditions in the pulp, although there is some doubt as to whether it is the oxidizing environment or the type of oxidant which influences flotation. Variations in the oxidizing conditions of the pulp and their subsequent effect on flotation were examined for two types of natural sulphide ore, a galena-sphalerite ore and a complex pyrite ore. Different gas mixtures ranging from pure nitrogen to pure oxygen were used to control the oxidizing conditions. Zinc recovery increased with a more oxidizing environment, and nitrogen gas acted almost as a depressant for sphalerite in the flotation of the Pb-Zn ore. For the complex pyrite ore, the selectivity between chalcopyrite and both gangue and pyrite improved when the environment was oxidizing, resulting in higher Cu recovery in the copper rougher concentrate.

Characterization of TV scrap was carried out by using a variety of methods, such as chemical analysis, particle size and shape analysis, liberation degree analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, sink-float test, and IR spectrometry. A comparison of TV scrap, personal computer scrap, and printed circuit board scrap shows that the content of non-ferrous metals and precious metals in TV scrap is much lower than that in personal computer scrap or printed circuit board scrap. It is expected that recycling of TV scrap will not be cost-effective by utilizing conventional manual disassembly. The result of particle shape analysis indicates that the non-ferrous metal particles in TV scrap formed as a variety of shapes; it is much more heterogeneous than that of plastics and printed circuit boards. Furthermore, the separability of TV scrap using density-based techniques was evaluated by the sink-float test. The result demonstrates that a high recovery of copper could be obtained by using an effective gravity separation process. Identification of plastics shows that the major plastic in TV scrap is high impact polystyrene. Gravity separation of plastics may encounter some challenges in separation of plastics from TV scrap because of specific density variations.

The production of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) is one of the fastest growing areas. This development has resulted in an increase of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE). In view of the environmental problems involved in the management of WEEE, many counties and organizations have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce disposal. Recycling of WEEE is an important subject not only from the point of waste treatment but also from the recovery of valuable materials.WEEE is diverse and complex, in terms of materials and components makeup as well as the original equipment's manufacturing processes. Characterization of this waste stream is of paramount importance for developing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly recycling system. In this paper, the physical and particle properties of WEEE are presented. Selective disassembly, targeting on singling out hazardous and/or valuable components, is an indispensable process in the practice of recycling of WEEE. Disassembly process planning and innovation of disassembly facilities are most active research areas. Mechanical/physical processing, based on the characterization of WEEE, provides an alternative means of recovering valuable materials. Mechanical processes, such as screening, shape separation, magnetic separation, Eddy current separation, electrostatic separation, and jigging have been widely utilized in recycling industry. However, recycling of WEEE is only beginning.For maximum separation of materials, WEEE should be shredded to small, even fine particles, generally below 5 or 10 mm. Therefore, a discussion of mechanical separation processes for fine particles is highlighted in this paper.Consumer electronic equipment (brown goods), such as television sets, video recorders, are most common. It is very costly to perform manual dismantling of those products, due to the fact that brown goods contain very low-grade precious metals and copper. It is expected that a mechanical recycling process will be developed for the upgrading of low metal content scraps.

Adhesion of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans to pyrite and chalcopyrite in relation to its importance in bioleaching and bioflotation has been studied. Electrokinetic studies as well as FT-IR spectra suggest that the surface chemistry of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans depends on bacterial growth conditions. Sulfur-,Pyrite- and chalcopyrite-grown Thiobacillus ferrooxidans were found to be relatively more hydrophobic. The altered surface chemistry of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was due to secretion of newer and specific proteinaceous compounds. The adsorption density corresponds to a monolayer coverage in a horizontal orientation of the cells. The xanthate flotation of pyrite in presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans is strongly depressed where as the cells have insignificant effect on chalcopyrite flotation. This study demonstrate that:(a)Thiobacillus ferrooxidans cells can be used for selective flotation of chalcopyrite from pyrite and importantly at natural pH values.(b)Sulfur-grown cells exhibits higher leaching kinetics than ferrous ion-grown cells.

The utility of a soil microbe, namely Bacillus polymyxa, in the removal of organic reagents such as dodecylamine, ether diamine, isopropyl xanthate and sodium oleate from aqueous solutions is demonstrated. Time-bound removal of the above organic reagents from an alkaline solution was investigated under different experimental conditions during bacterial growth and in the presence of metabolites by frequent monitoring of residual concentrations as a function of time, reagent concentration and cell density. The stages and mechanisms in the biodegradation process were monitored through UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy. Surface chemistry of the bacterial cells as well as the biosorption tendency for various organics were also established through electrokinetic and adsorption density measurements. Both the cationic amines were found to be biosorbed followed by their degradation through bacterial metabolism. The presence of the organic reagents promoted bacterial growth through effective bacterial utilization of nitrogen and carbon from the organics. Under optimal conditions, complete degradation and bioremoval of all the organics could be achieved

The effect of chemical variables on the kinetic parameters of apatite flotation from magnetite has been investigated. The two common first-order kinetic models reported in the literature, i.e., the model with rectangular distribution of floatabilities and the model with fast and slow-floating components (F-S model) have been applied in the evaluation of flotation results. The models are evaluated by fitting the flotation results from batch flotation tests. The results although indicate that both models describe the apatite flotation kinetics well in a wide range of kinetic parameters, the F-S model is found to be better in the goodness of fit to the results from every flotation test and also to describe the flotation performance adequately. The kinetic parameters of the F-S model are varied with a change in chemical variables. In particular, the rate constants ratio Kf/Ks is found to be an important parameter for achieving selectivity between apatite and magnetite, and the effect of reagents dosages on the ratio is discussed. The effect of particle size on the apatite flotation kinetics is also illustrated by analysing the froth products at each flotation time in different size classes.

The paper describes the fabrication and the properties of boehmite bonded alumina shapes. The term boehmite bonding refers to the utilization of steam cured reactive alumina as an intermediate binder in alumina shapes. Bodies were prepared by mixing tabular alumina. After drying the shapes were treated in an autoclave at around 200°C and saturated steam pressure. During steam treatment the reactive alumina is converted to boehmite, γ-Al2O3 · H2O. Cold crushing strength figures up to 1200 kp/cm2 have been obtained. Relations between mechanical properties and porosity have been examined. The paper gives details on reaction kinetics of the formation of boehmite as well as the dehydration of boehmite at around 500°C. Boehmite dehydrates to γ-alumina at 500-520°C. Due to the high reactivity of the so formed γ-alumina, ceramic bonds are formed at low temperatures. Therefore the conversion from boehmite to γ-alumina is followed by only a slight decrease of the strength. The dehydration process has been followed by means of surface area and pore size distribution measurements and X-ray diffraction and DTA-TGA investigations. The boehmite bodies have been subjected to normal refractory testing procedure i/e hot modulus of rupture, Youngs modulus, creep, refractoriness under load, resistance to slag attack and spalling. The testing shows that the boehmite bonded ceramics have refractory properties comparable with those of normal fired chemically bonded bricks. The boehmite bonding method have also been tested on aluminosilicate, i/e cyanite, with good results. Possible applications of the method are discussed in the paper.

Bergsingenjörsutbildningen vid Tekniska högskolan omformas till linjen för industriell kemi.

High phosphorous sinter fines are leached with hydrochloric or nitric acids to digest the phosphorous bearing apatite. Concentrates with less than 0. 05% P can be manufactured with acceptable losses of iron and acid consumption. The process will be viable if the phosphorus in the acid can be recovered as phosphoric acid.

A commercial installation for the homogenization of process industry raw materials has been studied. The object is a stockpile for hammer-crushed marlstone at a cement works. The study involves sampling, analysis and evaluation with a view to determining the homogenization effects of the system.

Calculations show that thermodynamic data can be used to construct pulp chemistry models that satisfactorily describe events in mineral pulps. The usefulness of such models can be enhanced by the insertion of kinetic restrictions derived from analyses of mineral pulps from commercial-scale operations. A number of interesting findings concerning the chalcopyrite-ethyl xanthate system are demonstrated. As it is possible to calculate an operating line for any given flotation system, the calculation results can be compared at all times with practical experience and measurements of flotation processes.

This project involved flotation of copper-lead, zinc and pyrite concentrates from a complex sulphide ore. Pulp chemistry measurements were made for determination of sulphur anion, total sulphur, carbon dioxide, calcium and xanthate concentrations as well as chemical and biological oxygen demand, pH, redox potential, oxygen content and temperature. The relation of pulp chemistry to flotation result was studied.

Until now, the iron ores mined in Sweden were mostly of the magnetite type and, therefore, easy to concentrate. But in addition to these ores, there exist considerable reserves of hematite iron ores. Deposits located north of the city of Kiruna contain certain apatite-rich hematite ores which are extremely fine-grained. The authors explain how the selectivity problems that are due to this fine-grained structure of the ores and that arise during the flotation are handled.