Title

DIRECT FLOTATION OF ITABIRITIC IRON ORE USING ANIONIC COLLECTORS

DIRECT FLOTATION OF ITABIRITIC IRON ORE USING ANIONIC COLLECTORS

Authorship

Santana, Paulo Penha; Viana., Paulo Roberto de Magalhães

Santana, Paulo Penha

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Viana., Paulo Roberto de Magalhães

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-22137

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Abstract

The present work has evaluated the hematite direct flotation of an itabiritic ore of low iron content (26.0%) from the iron quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The collecting reagents used in the investigation were the oleic acid, two commercial reagents and an industrial vegetable oil. The work considered the investigation of sodium silicate action as a gangue depressant and also a frother and a dispersing agent. After the accomplishment of the preliminary tests that targeted to establish the flotation best conditions, the use of oleic acid without the addition of a frother or a depressant was selected for the results optimization. The rougher concentrates were submitted to various cleaner stages and a Gaudin selectivity index of 31.2 was achieved with two cleaner stages. The silica content in the final cleaner concentrate was 1.67%, the tailings iron content was 3.77% and the iron recovery was 90.85%. With three cleaner stages a Gaudin selectivity index of 40.0 was achieved. The concentrate silica content was 0.95%, the tailings iron content was 4.04% and the iron recovery was 90.09%. These final cleaner stage results clearly demonstrate the viability of producing adequate concentrates for meeting the blast furnace and direct reduction specifications. The high selectivity index obtained in the flotation tests resulted in a superior iron recovery. The results evidenced the technical viability for the direct flotation of low iron content ores occurring in the iron quadrangle region and also indicate a big potential for the operational cost reduction.

The present work has evaluated the hematite direct flotation of an itabiritic ore of low iron content (26.0%) from the iron quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The collecting reagents used in the investigation were the oleic acid, two commercial reagents and an industrial vegetable oil. The work considered the investigation of sodium silicate action as a gangue depressant and also a frother and a dispersing agent. After the accomplishment of the preliminary tests that targeted to establish the flotation best conditions, the use of oleic acid without the addition of a frother or a depressant was selected for the results optimization. The rougher concentrates were submitted to various cleaner stages and a Gaudin selectivity index of 31.2 was achieved with two cleaner stages. The silica content in the final cleaner concentrate was 1.67%, the tailings iron content was 3.77% and the iron recovery was 90.85%. With three cleaner stages a Gaudin selectivity index of 40.0 was achieved. The concentrate silica content was 0.95%, the tailings iron content was 4.04% and the iron recovery was 90.09%. These final cleaner stage results clearly demonstrate the viability of producing adequate concentrates for meeting the blast furnace and direct reduction specifications. The high selectivity index obtained in the flotation tests resulted in a superior iron recovery. The results evidenced the technical viability for the direct flotation of low iron content ores occurring in the iron quadrangle region and also indicate a big potential for the operational cost reduction.

Keywords

Direct flotation; Hematite flotation; Oleic acid.

Direct flotation; Hematite flotation; Oleic acid.