Optimization of Fine Ilmenite Flotation Performed with Collectors

Ilmenite is an important raw material for space industry, nautical engineering and medicine. In this study, the effects of pH were investigated by flotation tests. Molecular dynamics simulation, contact angles and Zeta potential measurements were proceeded to explore the flotation mechanism. The results demonstrated that the combination collector (sodium oleate: sodium dodecyl sulfate = 3:1) exhibited a better flotation performance and the maximum recovery increased to 83.18% at pH = 5 compared with single sodium oleate/sodium dodecyl sulfate. When sodium oleate was used as a collector, the maximum recovery reached 80% at pH = 5. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the adsorption energy of combined collector and sodium oleate are −366.94 kJ/mol, −317.5 kJ/mol, respectively. These results verify that the flotation performance of the combined collector is better than the single collector.