黄銅鉱および方鉛鉱の浮選分離における温度の影響に関する基礎研究

抄録

In Kosaka-Uchinotai concentrator copper-lead separation is now being performed without any depressants by elevating pulp temperature of the bulk float. Fundamental test works have been carried out with relatively pure galena and chalcopyrite to analyze this actual operation. Test results indicated that preferential desorption of adsorbed collector (di-normal butyl dithiophosphate) and oxidation of mineral surface have a bearing on the achievement of copper-lead separation. Thus pulp temperature and pH value have an important role in both bulk and differential flotation steps.
Di-normal butyl dithiophosphate on the surface of galena was preferentially desorbed by heating the pulp above 60°C after the collector was adsorbed at 20°C in weakly acidic circuit. On the contrary the collector adsorbed on chalcopyrite in the same way was not desorbed at all by heating the pulp as high as 70°C. This pointed to an effective process for flotation of chalcopyrite with depression of galena without any additional reagents. Another test work suggested that preferential oxidation of galena surface at high temperature promoted the phenomenon in the depression of this mineral.
Not only the successful elimination of sodium cyanide as a depressant, but the better metallurgical result has been achieved since this new method was put into operation in 1968. Many other profits were also made. The details of the fundamental experiments as well as the recent practical improvements are described in the paper.