Synthesis of sodium oleate hydroxamate and its application as a novel flotation collector on the ilmenite-forsterite separation

Separation of Ilmenite from Vanadium Titanomagnetite by Combining Magnetic Separation and Flotation Processes

Vanadium titanomagnetite (VTM) is an important mineral for developing titanium resources, but the comprehensive recovery of ilmenite separation is extremely poor, resulting in the low-efficiency utilization of titanium resources. Here, the separation of ilmenite from VTM ore is studied by combining magnetic separation and flotation technologies. In particular, the floatability of mixed MOH/PG-1 collectors is thoroughly investigated. The results show that a concentrate with a TiO2 grade of 9.90% can be separated via weak magnetic separation and coarse particle tailing dumping. The concentrate grade is then increased to 14.32% via strong magnetic separation and floating separation of sulfur minerals. Finally, a TiO2 grade of 46.34% is obtained through closed-circuit flotation using mixed MOH/PG-1 collectors. The mixed collectors are very efficient and can enhance the chemical adsorption of the Ti4+, Fe3+, and Fe2+ ions in the ilmenite concentrate compared with the MOH collector, thereby increasing the TiO2 grade and recovery by 3.31% and 1.20%, respectively. This is beneficial for improving the comprehensive utilization of titanium resources in VTM ores.

Leaching of phosphate ores with lower dissolution of metallic impurities: the dual role of sodium oleate†

In this work, we report the use of surfactants to improve the performance of phosphate ore leaching while reducing the concentration of metallic impurities in the leaching solution. Based on the zeta potential analysis, sodium oleate (SOL) is determined as a suitable surfactant because it can change interfacial properties and improve ionic diffusion. This is experimentally demonstrated by the high leaching performance. After that, the reaction conditions on the leaching performance are systematically investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions (SOL concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹, sulfuric acid concentration of 1.72 mol L⁻¹, leaching temperature of 75 °C, and leaching time of 180 min), a high phosphorus leaching efficiency of 99.51% is achieved. Meanwhile, the leaching solution presents a lower content of metallic impurities. Further measurements performed on the leaching residues indicate that the additive SOL can promote the growth of platy crystals and facilitate PO leaching. Overall, this work demonstrates that the SOL-assisted leaching method allows for highly-efficient utilization of PO and high-purity phosphoric acid production.

A suitable surfactant, sodium oleate, is used to improve the phosphorus leaching efficiency while reducing the dissolution of metallic impurities, allowing for highly-efficient utilization of phosphate ores and high-purity phosphoric acid production.