Feasibility of concentrating potassium minerals from Verdete ore by cell flotation

Laryssa Batista Christina Cordeiro; Michelly dos Santos Oliveira; Kátia Dionísio de Oliveira; Marcos Antônio de Souza Barrozo; Cícero Naves de Ávila Neto

doi:10.18540/jcecvl7iss2pp12338-01-12e

Authors

Laryssa Batista Christina Cordeiro Federal University of Uberlândia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3233-5812
Michelly dos Santos Oliveira Federal Centre for Technological Education of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0660-4553
Kátia Dionísio de Oliveira Independent Researcher https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6267-5383
Marcos Antônio de Souza Barrozo Federal University of Uberlândia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8873-162X
Cícero Naves de Ávila Neto Universidade Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5835-6670

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18540/jcecvl7iss2pp12338-01-12e

Keywords:

Flotation cell, Verdete, Micas, K-feldspar

Abstract

A silicate ore with K₂O content above 10%, found in the central region of Minas Gerais (Brazil), called Verdete, was floated in flotation cell. The goal was to evaluate the flotation behaviour of the ore constituents (glauconite, muscovite, K-feldspar and quartz) relative to the use of different collectors (fatty acid soap obtained from rice oil, amine and oleic acid) and depressors (gelatinized cornstarch and sodium silicate). Flotation of the calcination products of Verdete with MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ were also evaluated. Mass recovery of flotation carried out with Verdete reached a maximum of 53% when amine and sodium silicate were used as collector and depressant, respectively. Mass recovery was directly proportional to collector dosage, and was also influenced by the type of depressor. Calcination of Verdete with MgCl₂?xH₂O partially consumed the micas and generated MgO. Flotation of this calcination product concentrated MgO in the floated fraction, reaching 93% when oleic acid was used as collector.