Floc-flotation of malachite fines with an octyl hydroxamate and kerosene mixture

Abstract

Malachite fines are easily produced in the grinding process, leading to low malachite flotation recovery. Floc-flotation of malachite fines with an octyl hydroxamate and kerosene mixture was studied to improve the flotation recovery, using microflotation, microscopy image observations, contact angle measurements, and Extended Derjguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (EDLVO) analysis. The results showed that the addition of octyl hydroxamate as an emulsifier of kerosene enhanced the aggregation of malachite fines and improved malachite flotation recovery. In addition, when kerosene droplets were smaller and of uniform size distribution, the spreading of kerosene droplets on the malachite surface improved. The enhanced spreading of kerosene droplets led to higher coverage of kerosene on the malachite surface, resulting in improved hydrophobic aggregation and flotation recovery.