Selective separation of pyrite and chalcopyrite by biomodulation

Chandraprabha, MN and Natarajan, KA and Modak, Jayant M (2004) Selective separation of pyrite and chalcopyrite by biomodulation. In: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 37 (3-4). pp. 93-100.

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Abstract

Selective separation of pyrite from other associated ferrous sulphides at acidic and neutral pH has been a challenging problem. This paper discusses the utility of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for the selective flotation of chalcopyrite from pyrite. Consequent to interaction with bacterial cells, pyrite remained depressed even in the presence of potassium isopropyl xanthate collector while chalcopyrite exhibited significant flotability. However, when the minerals were conditioned together, the selectivity achieved was poor due to the activation of pyrite surface by the copper ions in solution. The selectivity was improved when the sequence of conditioning with bacterial cells and collector was reversed, since the bacterial cells were able to depress collector interacted pyrite effectively, while having negligible effect on chalcopyrite. The observed behaviour is analysed and discussed in detail. The separation obtained was significant both at acidic and alkaline pH. This selectivity achieved was retained when the minerals were interacted with both bacterial cells and collector simultaneously.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Publisher:	Elsevier
Additional Information:	The copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier.
Keywords:	Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans;Pyrite;Chalcopyrite;Activation;Selective flotation
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Chemical Engineering Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	12 Apr 2006
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:25
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/6257

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