An investigation of the adsorption mechanism of an aliphatic nitrile (TECFLOTE S11) on sulphide mineral surfaces.
Abstract
As grades of new base metal deposits decline and environmental restrictions on their extraction, increase, the mining industry is looking for new methods of processing minerals. This thesis, investigates the manner in which an aliphatic nitrile (TECFLOTE S11) is adsorbed onto the surface of sulphide mineral surfaces, to understand how TECFLOTE S11 can improve the extraction of base metals from their ores.
Bench tests, including micro-flotation, were conducted and their products examined by Time of Flight – Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to establish where the TECFLOTE S11 was adsorbed onto the mineral surface. The tests showed that the adsorption of TECFLOTE S11 onto chalcopyrite was greater than on to pyrite surfaces. While the results did not provide a definitive model for the adsorption of TECFLOTE S11 on sulphide mineral surfaces, a number of attachment mechanisms are proposed.