
Non-ionic surfactants as Atrac collector modifier
K. Hanumantha Rao
Kontaktperson LKAB: P-O Samskog
The aim of the project is to decrease the collector dosage to a bare minimum level for the flotation of phosphate gangue from magnetite fines at the LKAB iron ore processing plant. The synergetic effect of non-ionic surfactant on the adsorption of Atrac collector onto apatite and magnetite minerals will be investigated through the adsorption, zeta-potential, contact angle and frothing phenomena studies using pure and mixed non-ionic/Atrac surfactant systems.
The observed hydrophobicity and/or hydrophilicity characteristics of apatite and magnetite in the presence of surfactants will be verified by Hallimond and bench scale flotation tests. Judging by the results, a better reagent scheme for phosphate flotation from magnetite will be suggested.