Assessing the combined effect of water temperature and complex water matrices on xanthate adsorption on chalcopyrite and pentlandite

摘要

The combined effect of dissolved ions and water temperature on the adsorption of a xanthate collector on chalcopyrite and pentlandite was investigated. Multilinear regression was employed to determine the combined effect of the various water constituents on the extent of xanthate adsorption on mineral surfaces. Cationic species improved the adsorption of the collector on sulphide minerals through xanthate adsorption activation. Thiosulphate ions generally have a negative effect on collector adsorption and the interaction of thiosulphate ions and cations effectively reduced collector adsorption on the sulphide minerals. With regards to temperature variation caused by seasonal variation, this study suggests that temperature can influence the adsorption of collectors in the flotation process and this should be approached on a case by case basis as it seems to differ with the type of mineral under investigation.