A STUDY OF THE FLOCCULATION OF PURE GOETHITE, QUARTZ, AND KAOLINITE AND THE SELECTIVE FLOCCULATION OF AGBAJA IRON ORE .3. SELECTIVE FLOCCULATION OF AGBAJA IRON ORE

摘要

A study of the selective flocculation of Agbaja iron ore with starch and nonionic polyacrylamide flocculants has been conducted to determine the effect of flocculant type. The results indicate that corn starch and cassava starch are effective flocculants for Agbaja iron ore. Both corn and cassava starches were found to be better flocculants than Superfloc 16, while the poorest results were obtained with commercial starch. Improved flocculation was obtained with additions of sodium humate as dispersant in comparison to sodium silicate additions. Pulp pH affects the zeta potential, polymer chain configuration and, hence, the selective flocculation of Agbaja iron ore. The overall results indicate that recovery and separation of this very fine grained iron oxide by selective flocculation is feasible. [References: 18]