Influences of phosphates on diaspore and kaolinite flotation

Phosphates abilities in diaspo re and kaolinite flotation were studied. Sodium hexametaphosphte(SHMP) at low conc entration has greater depressive ability to kaolinite than that to diaspore, and the normal desilication flotation of bauxite can be realized, while when SHMP i s in high concentration, it has much stronger depressive ability to diaspore tha n that to kaolinite. The anti-flotation is expected to gain success. The mechan ism of SHMP in separating kaolinite from bauxite was discussed through phosphati c solution chemistry, ζ -potential changes of diaspore and kaolinite in the absence or presence of SHMP, measuring surface phosphate concentration on diasp ore and kaolinite and microphotograph of mineral particles in the solution.