Recovery evaluation of P2O5 through three models of froth flotation of phosphoric rock

Abstract

The main objective of the research is to evaluate the recovery of P₂O₅ in phosphoric rock through 3 models of froth flotation (direct, inverse and direct-inverse). Representative samples were taken from the department of Tolima and parameters were established for each of the flotations with a conditioning time of 5 minutes and flotation times between 7-10 minutes. Contact angle measurements were made with a value of 39° reflecting its hydrophilicity for the quartz case. According to Zeta potential measurements, a separation region between pH 2-5,8 was determined using anionic collectors for direct flotation and pH 5,8-10 using cationic collectors for reverse hydroxylapatite flotations. Finally, it was found that the direct-inverse flotation allowed a greater recovery of P₂O₅, using as oleic acid and Aero® 845 Promoter collectors in the anionic process, and the Aeromine® 3030C collector and the phosphoric acid depressant in the cationic process.