Title
Direct hematite flotation from an iron ore tailing using an innovative biosurfactant
Date Issued
01 January 2021
Access level
metadata only access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio
Publisher(s)
Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Abstract
The use of a biosurfactant (BS) in mineral flotation offers numerous advantages over conventional surfactants, such as their low toxicity, high degradation kinetics, and potential for selectively treating low-grade ores. In the present study, the use of a biosurfactant obtained from Rhodococcus opacus bacteria for the flotation of hematite from iron ore tailings was evaluated. The microflotation assessments were conducted in a modified Partridge-Smith cell, and the batch flotation studies were conducted in a mechanical cell (CDC–cell). In addition, the effects of the pH, biosurfactant concentration, and depressant concentration on hematite recovery were evaluated. The results confirmed the biosurfactant adsorption onto the hematite surface, and the biosurfactant decreased the surface tension of the water/gas interface. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the biosurfactant was approximately 1 g.L−1. Hematite recovery was feasible at a pH of around 3. In microflotation tests, the iron grade and recovery reached approximately 37% and 30%, respectively. These values increased in batch flotation circuits, specifically in the cleaner stage, the iron grade reached approximately 44% and the recovery was approximately 65%. Thus, the current development proved that this particular treatment of ore tailings carries environmental and technical benefits as an appropriate alternative cleaning technology.
Start page
2978
End page
2988
Volume
56
Issue
17
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Minería, Procesamiento de minerales
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85099601246
PubMed ID
Source
Separation Science and Technology (Philadelphia)
ISSN of the container
01496395
Sponsor(s)
The authors acknowledge Vale Institute of Technology – ITV, CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development); CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher-Level Personnel), FAPERJ (Rio de Janeiro State Research Foundation), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, and Technological Characterization Laboratory (LCT) – Department of Mining Engineering and Petroleum – USP for the financial and technological support.
The authors acknowledge Vale Institute of Technology?ITV, CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development); CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher-Level Personnel), FAPERJ (Rio de Janeiro State Research Foundation), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, and Technological Characterization Laboratory (LCT)?Department of Mining Engineering and Petroleum?USP for the financial and technological support.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus