APPENDIX B1

BTech Research Project Brief 2018

Subject: Project: Chemical Engineering 4

Code: PCE400S

Course: BTECH: Chemical Engineering

Student Name: Megan Mundell Student number: 215184459

Supervisor: G. Hangone
Title: Mr.

1. Background, Rationale and Motivation

Froth flotation is a highly versatile and cost-effective three-phase (solid-water-air) separation
technique that utilizes the difference in surface properties of minerals namely, whether the surface
is rapidly hydrophilic or hydrophobic, to separate the mineral from the gangue. The use of reagents
permits for highly selective and efficient attachment of particles to air bubbles.

Axis House a major supplier and distributor of chemicals to the mining industry, wishes to branch
out from oxide and sulphide collectors to depressants. The use of depressants increases the
selectivity of the flotation and thus increases the grade of the concentrate and can be considered
the key to the economic flotation of many ores.
2. Problem statement

The recovery of minerals by flotation is complicated by the presents of naturally floatable gangue
minerals, however the use of depressants reduces the floatability of these minerals. With the use
of depressants, the grade and recovery of a flotation operation can be optimized and thus an
increase in profits.

In the flotation of pyrite, a significant number of depressants is present in literature, for the sale
and distribution of a depressant it is required to investigate the mechanisms of a select number of
depressants and exstipulate the most desirable.

Evaluation of the 4 known depressants will take place in a fully quipped laboratory, with milling,
flotation, sedimentation, and analytical equipment. Through the use of a microfloatation unit and
a floatation cell the mechanisms of the depressants will be recorded, investigated and compared.

3. Aim and Objectives

Aim:

To investigate the effects of 4 known depressants on pyrite.

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Objectives:
 Experimental data will be collected from two experimental methods namely, froth flotation
through a float cell and micoflotation unit.
 Analyze the flotation of pyrite at different pH conditions and various depressant
concentrations.
 Data sets will be will be examined to determine the variance between the different
methods.
 Data sets will be correlated to determine the most suitable depressant.

5. Delineation

6. Terms and Concepts

Term/Concept Definition
Froth flotation a process for selectively separating hydrophobic materials from
hydrophilic.
Hydrophobic The tendency to repel water.
Hydrophilic The tendency to wetted by water.
Depressants A chemical used to increase the selectivity of flotation by
rendering certain minerals hydrophilic.
Quebracho Produces tannins that can be extracted in sawmills from the
heartwood of both red and white quebracho.
Tannin Are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to
and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds
including amino acids and alkaloids.
Sodium silica Sodium silicate (water glass) is a modifier reagent widely used
in flotation with the function of a depressant or dispersant.
Lignosulphonate Water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymers. The by-
products from the production of wood pulp using sulphite
pulping.
Pyrite A brass-yellow mineral with a bright metallic luster. It has a
chemical composition of iron disulfide (FeS2) and is the most
common sulfide mineral.
7. References
Barker, L. M. (1986) ‘The Effect of Electrolytes on the Flotation of Pyrite’, 84(12), p. 26.
Bradshaw, D. J., Harris, P. J. and O’Connor, C. T. (1998) ‘Synergistic interactions between
reagents in sulphide flotation’, Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
98(4), pp. 189–194.
Cao, Z., Chen, X. and Peng, Y. (2018) ‘The role of sodium sulfide in the flotation of pyrite
depressed in chalcopyrite flotation’, Minerals Engineering. Elsevier, 119(November 2017), pp. 93–
98. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2018.01.029.
Chen, W. et al. (2018) ‘Investigations on flotation separation of scheelite from calcite by using a
novel depressant: Sodium phytate’, Minerals Engineering. Elsevier, 126(April), pp. 116–122. doi:
10.1016/j.mineng.2018.06.008.
Farrokhpay, S., Ndlovu, B. and Bradshaw, D. (2018) ‘Behavior of talc and mica in copper ore
flotation’, Applied Clay Science. Elsevier, 160(July 2017), pp. 270–275. doi:
10.1016/j.clay.2018.02.011.

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Finkelstein, N. P. and Lovell, V. M. (1972) ‘Fundamental studies of the flotation process: the work
of the National Institute for Metallurgy’, Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, (July), p. 15.
Guimarães, R. C., Araujo, A. C. and Peres, A. E. C. (2005) ‘Reagents in igneous phosphate ores
flotation’, Minerals Engineering, 18(2 SPEC. ISS.), pp. 199–204. doi:
10.1016/j.mineng.2004.08.022.
Guo, B., Peng, Y. and Parker, G. (2016) ‘Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of pyrite-
cyanide interactions in relation to the depression of pyrite flotation’, Minerals Engineering. Elsevier
Ltd, 92, pp. 78–85. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2016.03.003.
Javadi Nooshabadi, A. and Rao, K. H. (2016) ‘Complex sulphide ore flotation: Effect of
depressants addition during grinding on H2O2formation and its influence on flotation’,
International Journal of Mineral Processing. Elsevier B.V., 157, pp. 89–97. doi:
10.1016/j.minpro.2016.09.007.
Mu, Y., Peng, Y. and Lauten, R. A. (2016) ‘The depression of pyrite in selective flotation by
different reagent systems – A Literature review’, Minerals Engineering. Elsevier Ltd, 96–97, pp.
143–156. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2016.06.018.
Pattanaik, A. and Venugopal, R. (2018) ‘Investigation of Adsorption Mechanism of Reagents
(Surfactants) System and its Applicability in Iron Ore Flotation – An Overview’, Colloids and
Interface Science Communications. Elsevier, 25(July), pp. 41–65. doi:
10.1016/j.colcom.2018.06.003.
Peleka, E. N., Gallios, G. P. and Matis, K. A. (2018) ‘A perspective on flotation: a review’, Journal
of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 93(3), pp. 615–623. doi: 10.1002/jctb.5486.
Prakash, R., Majumder, S. K. and Singh, A. (2018) ‘Flotation technique: Its mechanisms and
design parameters’, Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification, 127(March),
pp. 249–270. doi: 10.1016/j.cep.2018.03.029.
Singh, A., Louw, J. J. and Hulbert, D. G. (2003) ‘Flotation stabilization and optimization’, Africa,
(November), pp. 581–588.
Sis, H. and Chander, S. (2003) ‘Reagents used in the flotation of phosphate ores: A critical
review’, Minerals Engineering, 16(7), pp. 577–585. doi: 10.1016/S0892-6875(03)00131-6.
Wang, L. et al. (2016) ‘Adsorption behavior of mixed cationic/anionic surfactants and their
depression mechanism on the flotation of quartz’, Powder Technology. Elsevier B.V., 302, pp. 15–
20. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2016.08.043.
Wills, B. A. and Finch, J. A. (2016) ‘Froth Flotation’, Wills’ Mineral Processing Technology, (1984),
pp. 265–380. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-097053-0.00012-1.

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 OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION YES NO
Have you received general laboratory safety training?
Has a Risk Assessment been carried out for the experimental procedures
and chemicals to be used?
Are less hazardous chemicals/substances available?
Are Material Safety Data Sheets available for all chemicals in use?
Have you been allocated proper space for chemical and waste storage?
Have you been informed of proper storage procedures for chemicals
according to the chemical classification?
Has a storage plan been implemented for leftover chemicals/materials
when project is completed?
Has the experimental procedure been authorized for out of normal working
hours?
Is appropriate First Aid available in case of an emergency?
Has an emergency procedure been explained to you in case of a chemical
spill?
Is the correct protective equipment available?

Due dates: Actual dates Responsible

person
Project Brief: Supervisor

Orders: Supervisor

Building of Supervisor
equipment:

AUTHORISATION
STUDENT ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR HEAD OF
DEPARTMENT
NAME

SIGNATURE

DATE