Abstract Flotation of fine mineral particles is one of the major challenges faced by the minerals industries worldwide. Flocculation of these fine particles prior to flotation, to form separate hydrophobic and hydrophilic flocs, is one of the methods to tackle this challenge. In order to gain a better understanding of the properties of hydrophilic polymer flocs for the intended flocculation flotation, this paper reports testwork completed on the formation, breakage, and re-growth of quartz flocs when non-ionic high molecular weight polyacrylamide (PAM) was used as a flocculant under different test conditions in an alkaline environment. Focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) particle size analyses, coupled with sedimentation tests and optical microscope observations were performed to monitor the real-time evolution and change of quartz flocs. In addition, adsorption experiments and zeta potential measurements were carried out and used as parameters in the DLVO theory interaction energy estimation. The results of DLVO theory interaction energy estimation, settling experiments and optical microscope observations showed that the quartz particles dispersed well in slurry at pH 9. PAM had a strong flocculation ability to quartz particles, the peak values of floc size were affected by both the stirring rate and PAM concentration. In addition, the degree of floc breakage depended on the increased stirring rate and the shear time. Floc re-growth occurred to different extents according to the breakage durations and PAM dosages.

中文翻译：

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非离子高分子量聚丙烯酰胺产生的石英絮状物的形成、破碎和再生长

摘要 细粒矿物的浮选是全球矿产工业面临的主要挑战之一。在浮选之前絮凝这些细颗粒以形成单独的疏水絮凝物和亲水絮凝物，是应对这一挑战的方法之一。为了更好地了解用于预期絮凝浮选的亲水性聚合物絮凝物的性质，本文报告了当非离子高分子量聚丙烯酰胺（PAM）加入时石英絮凝物的形成、破碎和再生长的测试工作。在碱性环境中不同试验条件下用作絮凝剂。进行聚焦光束反射测量 (FBRM) 粒度分析，结合沉降测试和光学显微镜观察，以监测石英絮体的实时演化和变化。此外，还进行了吸附实验和 zeta 电位测量，并将其用作 DLVO 理论相互作用能估计中的参数。DLVO理论相互作用能估算、沉降实验和光学显微镜观察结果表明，石英颗粒在pH 9的浆料中分散良好。PAM对石英颗粒具有很强的絮凝能力，絮体粒径峰值受搅拌和搅拌的影响率和 PAM 浓度。此外，絮体破碎程度取决于搅拌速度和剪切时间的增加。根据破碎持续时间和 PAM 用量不同，絮体再生长发生了不同程度。DLVO理论相互作用能估算、沉降实验和光学显微镜观察结果表明，石英颗粒在pH 9的浆料中分散良好。PAM对石英颗粒具有很强的絮凝能力，絮体粒径峰值受搅拌和搅拌的影响率和 PAM 浓度。此外，絮体破碎程度取决于搅拌速度和剪切时间的增加。根据破碎持续时间和 PAM 用量不同，絮体再生长发生了不同程度。DLVO理论相互作用能估算、沉降实验和光学显微镜观察结果表明，石英颗粒在pH 9的浆料中分散良好。PAM对石英颗粒具有很强的絮凝能力，絮体粒径峰值受搅拌和搅拌的影响率和 PAM 浓度。此外，絮体破碎程度取决于搅拌速度和剪切时间的增加。根据破碎持续时间和 PAM 用量不同，絮体再生长发生了不同程度。此外，絮体破碎程度取决于搅拌速度和剪切时间的增加。根据破碎持续时间和 PAM 用量不同，絮体再生长发生了不同程度。此外，絮体破碎程度取决于搅拌速度和剪切时间的增加。根据破碎持续时间和 PAM 用量不同，絮体再生长发生了不同程度。