Effect of pH on pulp potential and sulphide mineral flotation

Abstract

Control of pH is one of the most widely applied methods for the modulation of mineral flotation. In this study the effect of pH on potential in solution and sulphur minerals flotation is discussed with various electrodes. The electrodes were platinum, gold, chalcopyrite, pyrite and galena. In solution, potentials were linearly dependent on pH with a different slope for each electrode. Chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena minerals flotation tests were performed in a microflotation cell. Xanthates were used as a collector and their carbon chain length was tested at different pH values. As expected, pH has a significant effect on flotation and pulp potential. The effect of pH on sulphide flotation examined paying particular attention to the pulp potentials involved.