Effect of Collector Physisorption on Flotation of Galena with Xanthate and Pb2+

Abstract

The authors propose the galena flotation mechanism based on the joint work of chemisorbed collector and physisorbed lead xanthate in molecular form. It is proved experimentally that the products of interaction between xanthate and lead ions possess surface activity dependent on the concentration ratio and on solution pH. In alkaline range, they spread over the gas–water interface and can remove water from the interlayer between a mineral particle and a gas bubble. In sub-acid medium and at the increased mole ratio of lead ions to xanthate anions, the spreading velocity of the interaction products decreases. The physisorption mechanism of the collector has disclosed the causes of high floatability of galena in the alkaline range of pH and the decreased floatability in the sub-acid domain.