Improve Bastnaesite Flotation via Synergistic Effect of Octyl Hydroxamic Acid and Octyl Phenol Ethoxylated Surfactants

The large loss of fine-grained bastnaesite has become an increasingly important issue restricting the development of rare earth ore flotation industry. To solve this issue, a new collector mixture that combines octyl hydroxamic acid (OHA) and octyl phenol ethoxylation (OP10, the number of ethylene oxide groups is 10) is proposed to be used to improve the flotation of bastnaesite. The flotation adsorption mechanism of OHA/OP10 on bastnaesite was investigated by a series of experimental and analytical tests. The results showed that when the molar ratio of OHA/OP10 was 3:1, the OHA/OP10 combination significantly improved the recovery of -74 + 38 mu m and -15 mu m bastnaesite compared with only OHA. Optical microscopy revealed that mixed OHA/OP10 had a beneficial effect on fine-grained bastnaesite aggregation. In addition, the results of the zeta potential test, fluorescence spectrum analysis, and XPS analysis showed that OHA and OP10 were co-adsorbed on the surface of bastnaesite.

Automated summary

A new collector mixture of octyl hydroxamic acid (OHA) and octyl phenol ethoxylation (OP10) was proposed to improve the flotation of bastnaesite, which is a major issue in the rare earth ore flotation industry. Experimental and analytical tests revealed that the OHA/OP10 combination significantly enhanced the recovery of fine-grained bastnaesite and promoted its aggregation. The co-adsorption of OHA and OP10 on the surface of bastnaesite was confirmed by zeta potential, fluorescence spectrum, and XPS analysis.