Processing of Saudi talc ore for filler industries – Part 2: Magnetic separation and flotation

Hussin A. M. Ahmed

doi:10.3139/120.110812

Article

Processing of Saudi talc ore for filler industries – Part 2: Magnetic separation and flotation

Hussin A. M. Ahmed

Published/Copyright: November 18, 2015

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From the journal Materials Testing Volume 57 Issue 11-12

Abstract

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has huge low grade talc deposits with high iron content (7.63 % Fe₂O₃) and low silica content (55.43 % SiO₂). This paper aims at investigating the amenability of processing the ore to meet filler specifications. This was firstly tried using wet or dry magnetic separation. Secondly, the ore was upgraded using flotation. In applying magnetic separation technique, Carpco induced roll and Boxmag Rapid magnetic separators were used. The main studied variables were: magnetic field intensity, the Carpco roll speed, feed rate and feed size. Denver D-12 flotation cell was used for flotation tests. The parameters pH value, pulp density, collector type and dose were optimized. The obtained results showed that using Carpco dry magnetic separator at optimum conditions produces a talc concentrate having 1.49 % Fe₂O₃. Wet magnetic separation under optimum conditions using Boxmag can lead to a talc concentrate having 1.33 % Fe₂O₃. The cleanest flotation concentrate has an iron content of 1.12 % Fe₂O₃. All these products can be used as filler in paper industry only. However, using flotation for cleaning the Carpco concentrate resulted in a final concentrate of 0.69 % Fe₂O₃ and 63.23 % SiO₂ which has many industrial applications especially as filler.

Kurzfassung

Das Königreich Saudi Arabien hat große niedrig-gradige Talkvorkommen mit einem hohen Eisengehalt (7,63 % Fe₂O₃) und einem niedrigen Silikatanteil (55,43 % SiO₂). Der vorliegende Beitrag hat zum Ziel, die Verarbeitbarkeit des Erzes zu untersuchen, um Füllmaterialspezifikationen zu erfüllen. Dies wurde zunächst versucht, indem nasse und trockene magnetische Trennverfahren zum Einsatz kamen. Als zweiter Ansatz wurde das Erz mittels Flotation angereichert. Bei der magnetischen Separierung wurden Carpo-Induktionsrollen und Boxmag-Rapid-Magnetseparatoren eingesetzt. Die hauptsächlich untersuchten Parameter waren: magnetische Feldstärke, Carpo-Rollen-geschwindigkeit, Zufuhrrate und Zufuhrmenge. Für die Flotationsversuche wurde eine Denver D-12-Flotationszelle verwendet. Die Parameter pH-Wert, Breidichte, Kollektortyp und Dosierung wurden optimiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass unter Verwendung des Carpo-Trockenmagnetseparators bei optimalen Bedingungen ein Talkkonzentrat mit 1,49 % Fe₂O₃ erhalten werden kann. Die optimalen Bedingungen zur nassen Trennung mit dem Boxmag-Verfahren führen zu einem Talkkonzentrat mit 1,33 % Fe₂O₃. Das reinste Flotationskonzentrat hat einen Eisengehalt von 1,12 % Fe₂O₃. Alle diese Produkte können als Füllmaterial, allerdings nur in der Papierindustrie, verwendet werden. Der Einsatz der Flotation für die Reinigung des Carpo-Kon-zentrates ergab ein Endkonzentrat mit 0,69 % Fe₂O₃ und 63,23 % SiO₂, das vielfältige industrielle Anwendungen besonders als Füllmaterial hat.

§Correspondence Address, Associate Prof. Dr. Hussin A. M. Ahmed, Mining Engineering Dept., King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. hussien135@gmail.com

Dr. Hussin A. M. Ahmed received his BSc from the Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Assuit University, Egypt in 1991, and a master degree from Cairo University, Egypt in 1998. In 2005, he obtained his PhD from Wroclaw University of Technology, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw, Poland. Currently, he is Associate Professor in the Mining Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but his permanent work is in the Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute in Egypt.

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Published Online: 2015-11-18

Published in Print: 2015-11-16

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https://doi.org/10.3139/120.110812