Essesment of IM-50 and TOFA Adsorbed Layer on Cassiterite in Flotation of Tin Sulfide Wastes

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental study of the adsorption characteristic of the
IM-50 and tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) collector reagents on cassiterite. UV-spectrophotometric method, scanning electron and laser
microscopy were applied to analyze the adsorption of the reagents. SHIMADZU UV 1800 was used to obtain the UV spectra of aqueous solutions of IM-50 reagents and saponified TOFA at varied concentrations. IM-50 has not got characteristic adsorption maxima
in ultraviolet and visible spectrum. TOFA has a weakly pronounced maximum absorption in the range of 233-244 nm. Microscopic
photographs of cassiterite sections were obtained with LEO 1420VP INCA equipped OXFORD ENERGY 350 analyzer. Reagent IM-50
and TOFA collector reagent, Newly formed organic matter phases of IM-50 and TOFA were detected. X-ray spectra characterized the
increased carbon content indicating adsorption on the surface of cassiterite IM-5- and TOFA.
By measuring the surface relief parameters of polished cassiterite, using KEYENCE VK-9700 scanning laser microscopy and VK-Analyzer software, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the IM-50 and TOFA reagent layer on the cassiterite surface was performed. Measurements were performed in the several fields of view and showed the degree of IM-50 coating varied from 40.5 to 42.6%
of the surface area, and TOFA average coating was 38.5%. Subsequent washing with water does not remove the reagents from the
surface of the mineral and indicates a strong fixation of IM-50 and TOFA on cassiterite, which can have a positive effect on flotation
extraction of sludge tin fractions.
Qualitative and quantitative results of the reagent adsorption helped to make a forecast of their floatability by the studied collectors.
This study is supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 17-17-01292).