Microbially-induced flocculation and flotation for pyrite separation from oxide gangue minerals

Patra, P and Natarajan, KA (2003) Microbially-induced flocculation and flotation for pyrite separation from oxide gangue minerals. In: Minerals Engineering, 16 (10). pp. 965-973.

PDF Microbially-induced.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (331kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Selective separation of pyrite from quartz and calcite was achieved through microbiologically induced flotation and flocculation in presence of Bacillus polymyxa. Adsorption behavior of bacterial cells onto pyrite, calcite and quartz was established. Surface chemical changes on various minerals brought about by bacterial interaction were established through zeta-potential measurements as a function of pH. It has been shown that pyrite can be separated from quartz and calcite through either selective flocculation or flotation after interaction with cells of B. polymyxa or bioproteins separated from the bacterial metabolite. The results of this study are significant from the viewpoint of desulphurisation of flotation tailings with respect to environmental control.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Minerals Engineering
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	The Copyright belongs to Elsevier.
Keywords:	Sulfide ores;Tailings;Flocculation;Froth flotation;Bacteria
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	11 May 2006
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:26
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/6680

Actions (login required)

View Item