The efficient separation of scheelite from calcium-bearing minerals, especially calcite, remains a challenge in practice. In this work, a novel reagent scheme incorporating a depressant of sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) and a collector mixture of octyl hydroxamic acid (HXMA-8) and sodium oleate (NaOl) was employed in both single and mixed binary mineral flotation, and it proved to be highly effective for the separation. Furthermore, the role of the pH value in the separation was evaluated. Additionally, the mechanism of the selective separation was investigated systemically via zeta potential measurements, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy analysis and crystal chemistry calculations. It turns out that the selective chemisorption of SHMP on calcite (in the form of complexation between H2PO4−/HPO42− and Ca2+) over scheelite is ascribed to the stronger reactivity and higher density of Ca ions on the commonly exposed surfaces of calcite minerals. The intense adsorption of HXMA-8 on scheelite over calcite due to the match of the O O distances in WO42− of scheelite and CONHOH of HXMA-8 holds the key to the successful separation. We were also interested in warranting the previous claim that NaOl is readily adsorbed on both minerals via chemisorption. Our results provided valuable insights into the application of mixed collectors and an effective depressant for flotation separation.

Adsorption of a novel reagent scheme on scheelite and calcite causing an effective flotation separation.

Froth flotation of scheelite has regained new focus since the 2010s and research regarding floatability and reagents has made great progress over the years. The main objective was and remains the selective flotation of scheelite from other calcium-bearing minerals, in particular calcite, fluorite and apatite. Due to similar properties, most attempts have limited success or only specific application (linked to a type of ore or a location). This article aims at reviewing all general physical-chemical information on froth flotation of scheelite, including electrokinetic properties, influence of pH and already existing reagents as well as ones still under examination. It appears that chelating or mixed collectors and modified versions of sodium silicate and quebracho hold great promise for scheelite flotation, while the use of said depressants and/or promoters seems inevitable.

Froth flotation of scheelite – A review

The effect of sodium alginate on the flotation separation of scheelite from calcite and fluorite

Tannins are polyphenolic compounds naturally found in vegetables. Their presence in nature has prompted their historical use in many different ways. The revision of their traditional utilization has allowed their further modification aiming for an industrial application. Sometimes these modifications have implied the addition of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, classified as a carcinogen of category B1. In other cases, these natural tannins have been replaced by synthetic compounds that threaten human and animal health and damage the environment. Therefore, currently, both academy and industry are searching for the substitution of these unsafe complexes by the increasing inclusion of tannins, natural molecules that can be obtained from several and diverse renewable resources, modified using harmless additives. To achieve promising results, cost-efficient and eco-friendly extraction methods have been designed. Once these green alternatives have been isolated, they have been successfully applied to many fields with very assorted aims of utilization such as coagulants, adhesives, floatation agents, tannings, dyes, additives, or biomolecules. Therefore, this review offers a global vision of the full process that involves the tannin's technological application including an overview of the most relevant tannin sources, effective extraction methods, and their utilization in very diverse fields.

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/3/614/pdf

Wei Chen

Papers

The effect of sodium alginate on the flotation separation of scheelite from calcite and fluorite

Investigations on flotation separation of scheelite from calcite by using a novel depressant: Sodium phytate

Effect of depressants in the selective flotation of scheelite and calcite using oxidized paraffin soap as collector

The flotation separation of scheelite from calcite and fluorite using dextran sulfate sodium as depressant

Selective flotation of scheelite from calcite using calcium lignosulphonate as depressant