JXSC Beneficiation Method Solves Difficult Processing Of Limonite

Limonite may also contain non-magnetic impurities such as silicates, which flotation can separate. The following are the basic steps of the limonite flotation process:

1. Crushing: The raw ore is broken into a suitable particle size through the crushing process, making it ideal for flotation treatment.
2. Grinding: The crushed ore is subjected to a grinding process to refine the particles and increase the contact area between the mineral and the flotation agent, thereby increasing the flotation efficiency.
3. Flotation agent addition: After grinding, the limonite slurry is mixed with a specific flotation agent. Flotation agent is a chemical agent that can make limonite particles absorb air bubbles and float. Commonly used flotation agents are pyruvic acid, petroleum sulfonic acid, sodium dioctanoate, etc.
4. Bubble generation: The flotation agent forms bubbles in the pulp by feeding in air or nitrogen. These air bubbles attach to the limonite particles, causing them to float.
5. Flotation: Due to the action of the flotation agent, limonite particles are attached and floated by air bubbles, forming flotation foam. Froth flotation concentrates the limonite mineral to separate it from other impurity minerals. The froth and flotation agent in the flotation product is removed from the bottom or top, and the limonite flotation froth and tailings are further separated.
6. Concentration: The limonite flotation foam is concentrated in multiple stages to improve the grade of limonite.
7. Concentrate dehydration: Dehydrate the concentrated limonite slurry by filtration or centrifugation to obtain concentrate.

The flotation method has a good effect on the recovery of fine-grained limonite. It is best to wash and deslim the limonite before flotation, otherwise, the ore mud will seriously affect the flotation effect. For limonite with single nature, the recovery rate of the flotation method is higher, but the cost is also higher.