Study on Flocculation and Sedimentation of Fine and High-Silicon Bauxite Tailings

the influence rules for the settlement of tailings from bauxite direct flotation were investigated under the different pulp pH and dosage of inorganic flocculants(such as Al2(OH)nCl6-n, Al2(SO4)3) and organic flocculants(nonionic polyacrylamide(080), cationic polyacrylamide(603), anionic polyacrylamide(JB-TR782)). The results show that surface static potential of particles is the key effect factor for the settlement of tailings. The good settlement of tailings can be obtained with adding a little dosage of flocculants when pH was kept at about 7.0, 080 and 603 can increase the sedimentation rate in the alkaline pulp evidently, the organic flocculants can do as well. The combination of Al2(SO4)3 and 080 could produce good sedimentation results for tailings and the dosage of Al2(SO4)3 and 080 can be decreased as well, so it has an application prospect.