Estudo da microflotação de vermiculita empregando-se como coletores diferentes tipos de surfatantes.

Abstract

In this work, was studied at laboratory scale, the floatability of the vermiculite through the use of collectors: anionic, cationic and no ionic, as well as evaluated the influence of some physical and chemical parameters in the process. The study was made through microflotation tests aimed the obtaining of subsidies that propitiate a better knowledge of the floatability of the vermiculite, seeking a potential industrial use, mainly of the "Microfine" fraction, has been discarded with the mineral gangue. The microflotation tests were performed in the cell of Hallimond, using the natural vermiculite (no treated) and several tests were made with the mineral treated with inorganic salts. The results were appraised in percentage of the material collected in the troth. It was observed that the best conditions were obtained in the presence of sodium oleate used as collector in the concentration = 5x10"4 M; particle size (-0.3+0.1) mm; pH = 8.0; conditioning time = 6 min; flotation time - 4 min. On the other hand, microflotation tests accomplished with pretreatment of the samples in the presence of NaOH 0.3 N, during 90 min, revealed a recovery of 96,0 %, in comparison to the floatability of the natural vermiculite (no treated) that was around 50,0 %.