The Desulfurization of Magnetite Ore by Flotation with a Mixture of Xanthate and Dixanthogen

Abstract

The contamination of sulfur emanating from pyrrhotite in magnetite concentrates has been a problem in iron ore processing. This study utilized froth flotation to float pyrrhotite away from magnetite using collectors of xanthate and dixanthogen. It was found that xanthate or dixanthogen alone could not achieve selective separation between pyrrhotite and magnetite in flotation. A high loss of magnetite was obtained with xanthate, while a low desulfurization degree was obtained with dixanthogen. It was interesting that a high desulfurization ratio was achieved with little loss of magnetite when xanthate was mixed with dixanthogen as the collector. The synergistic effect of the mixed collector on pyrrhotite was studied by electrokinectic studies and FTIR measurements. It was found that xanthate was the anchor on pyrrhotite and determined its selectivity against magnetite, while dixanthogen associated with xanthate, enhancing its hydrophobicity. This study provides new insights into the separation of iron minerals.

Keywords

• pyrrhotite
• mixed collectors
• flotation
• synergetic effect