Studies on the Flotation of Molybdenite. II : Some Experiments on the Kerosene Flotation

Some experiments were carried out on the flotative properties of kerosene which is commonly used for molybdenite ore. Two kinds of molybdenite ore from the Daito mine, Shimane Prefecture, were used as samples. Kerosene shows the different flotation effects on the samples of ore differing in mineral composition and size distribution, though the samples were obtained from the same mine. But it may be worthwhile to note that kerosene has an effect of improving the flotation results of low grade ore. It may be considered that the conditioning time for sutiable period after adding kerosene promotes the selectivity of molybdenite and pyrite. The increase in the proportion of kerosene mixed with pine oil is also useful in obtaining higher selectivities. The distilled fractions of kerosene, having the intermediate boiling point range, are more effective than those having high and low boiling point range. Generally, the use of emulsifying agents with kerosene increase the recovery of molybdenite. Non-ionic emulsifying agents, particularly polyglycolesters of fatty acids or alkylphenolpolyglycolethers, give good flotation results. Moreover, the use of emulsifying agents contributes to the improvement of the worse conditions of forths caused by the addition of kerosene.