Evaluation of Flotation Activity of a Mixture of Phosphorus-Containing Collector

Abstract

The complexing ability of phosphorus-containing collectors relative to copper (II) ions is investigated. The values of EMF for the concentration element for the ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate–ammonium diisooctyl dithiophosphate (1 : 1) mixture are calculated. It is established that a mixture of phosphorus-containing collectors possesses the maximal affinity to copper (II) ions. Foaming properties of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate, ammonium diisooctyl dithiophosphate, and their mixture in the concentration range of 10–3–10–6 mol/L are determined. It is shown that the foam prepared in a solution of the mixture with the concentration of substances of 10–5 mol/L possesses the highest stability. The flotation activity of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate and its mixture with ammonium diisooctyl dithiophosphate is evaluated. The possibility of using the mixture for the collective flotation of the copper ore of the Nurkazgan deposit is established.