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Adsorption of sulfosuccinate collector on apatite and carbonates in a phosphate ore, in the presence of carbon dioxide

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Abstract

A phosphate ore from the Catalão mine (Brazil) poses a challenge for apatite flotation from its carbonate gangue minerals. In recent developments, selectivity has been enhanced by using CO2 instead of air. The adsorption of the sulfosuccinate collector on apatite and carbonates, with air or CO2, was studied through infrared spectrometry (FTIR, transmission mode), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and zeta potential techniques. The FTIR spectra of apatite and carbonates treated with sulfosuccinate showed the presence of new adsorbed bands on apatite (1725 cm−1), consequently the chemical adsorption of the collector, but not on the carbonates. It is believed that this occurs due to the low adsorption density of the collector, which also generates a good selectivity between apatite and the carbonates. The XPS spectra of the apatite surface after conditioning with the collector characterized sulfosuccinate adsorption. The sulphur/carbon (S/C) ratio, however, is well below the value assayed for the pure reagent for absorption in the presence of air, while it matches this figure (S/C = 0.036) when adsorption is performed with CO2 injection. Carbon dioxide thus enhances the collector adsorption on apatite. Successful flotation concentration of apatite with carbonate gangue of the phosphate ore from the Catalão mine is therefore linked to the use of sulfosuccinate as collector, which is highly selective for apatite. The selectivity is enhanced by using CO2 as a gas to generate bubbles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the following institutions and offices: the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), the Post-Graduate Program in Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Engineering (PPGEM) and to PROEX-CAPES. P.R.G. Brandão and RN acknowledge CNPq for research grants. The authors also thank Alexandre Mello and Elvis López for XPS analyses at The Brazilian Center for Physical Research (CBPF), Centre for Mineral Technology and Vale for instrumental support. Also, to Isabel Batista (UFMG) for the great help in FTIR techniques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Escola de Engenharia, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil

    Angela Nair Avelar & Paulo R. G. Brandão

  2. Division for Technological Characterisation, Centre for Mineral Technology, Avenida Pedro Calmon, 900, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-908, Brazil

    Reiner Neumann

  3. Postgraduate Program in Geosciences, National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Quinta da Boa Vista, S/N, Bairro Imperial de São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20940-040, Brazil

    Reiner Neumann

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  1. Angela Nair Avelar
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  2. Paulo R. G. Brandão
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  3. Reiner Neumann
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Correspondence to Angela Nair Avelar.

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Avelar, A.N., Brandão, P.R.G. & Neumann, R. Adsorption of sulfosuccinate collector on apatite and carbonates in a phosphate ore, in the presence of carbon dioxide. Braz. J. Chem. Eng. 38, 573–583 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-021-00108-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-021-00108-3

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