Fine-grained ilmenite beneficiation method

Ilmenite is a common titanium mineral that is primarily used in the production of titanium dioxide. The fine-grained ilmenite ore is difficult to recover by conventional beneficiation methods due to its small particle size, high degree of dissemination, and low grade. Flotation is a common method used to separate and concentrate minerals. The following is an introduction to the flotation method of fine ilmenite.

Flotation reagents:

The main flotation reagents used in the flotation of ilmenite include collectors, frothers, and modifiers. The commonly used collectors include fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, and sulfonates. The commonly used frothers include pine oil, terpineol, and polyethylene glycol. Modifiers include sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sodium silicate.

Flotation process:

The flotation process of fine ilmenite is generally divided into two stages: roughing and cleaning. The specific flotation process is as follows:

(1) Roughing stage:

The roughing stage uses a roughing agent to selectively float the ilmenite. The pH value of the pulp is generally controlled at 6-8. The roughing agent is generally a fatty acid collector. The pulp is aerated and agitated to form a large number of bubbles to capture the fine ilmenite particles. The roughing concentrate is then sent to the cleaning stage.

(2) Cleaning stage:

The cleaning stage uses a cleaning agent to further separate and concentrate the ilmenite. The pH value of the pulp is generally controlled at 7-8. The cleaning agent is generally a combination of fatty acid and sulfonate collectors. The pulp is aerated and agitated to form a large number of bubbles to capture the remaining ilmenite particles. The cleaning concentrate is then collected and dried.

Flotation conditions:

The flotation conditions for fine ilmenite mainly include pH value, pulp concentration, aeration intensity, and flotation time. The optimal pH value for ilmenite flotation is generally in the range of 6-8. The pulp concentration is generally 20-30%. The aeration intensity is generally controlled at 0.3-0.5 m3/(m2·min). The flotation time is generally 5-10 minutes.

Advantages and disadvantages:

The advantages of the flotation method for fine ilmenite are that it can effectively recover fine-grained ilmenite, has a high recovery rate, and is easy to operate. The disadvantage is that it requires high-quality reagents, and the flotation process is sensitive to the pH value and pulp concentration, and the selectivity of the flotation reagents is not strong.

In summary, the flotation method is an effective method for the separation and concentration of fine ilmenite. The flotation process is simple and easy to operate, but it requires high-quality reagents and strict control of the flotation conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously optimize the flotation process and improve the selectivity and recovery rate of ilmenite.