Multifunctional Mineral Processing Agent, Five Key Functions of Sodium Hexametaphosphate

In the mining industry, mineral processing agents are mainly used in the flotation, leaching, and extraction of ores, thereby increasing the recovery rate of valuable minerals in the ores. Common types include collectors, regulators, frothers, inhibitors, and dispersants. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a multifunctional mineral processing regulator, and today we will analyze its five key functions.

Mineral processing agent - sodium hexametaphosphate

Complexation inhibition

In complex ores where calcium-magnesium gangue minerals (such as calcite and dolomite) coexist with target minerals, sodium hexametaphosphate reagent can form stable complexes with calcium, magnesium and other ions in the ore pulp.

For example, in zircon flotation, sodium hexametaphosphate reduces the interaction between gangue and collector by complexing metal ions on the surface of gangue minerals such as feldspar and nepheline, thereby improving the recovery rate of zircon. In addition, the protective film formed by its complex product can effectively prevent the secondary activation of gangue minerals and ensure the stability of the sorting process.

Ion shielding effect

Free metal ions (such as Fe⊃3;⁺, Al⊃3;⁺) in the ore pulp often destroy the flotation system through electrostatic adsorption or chemical reaction. Sodium hexametaphosphate combines with these ions to form insoluble complex precipitation, blocking their reaction path with the collector or mineral surface, reducing the consumption of reagents and the amount of collector used.

Dispersion and deagglomeration

For ores that are prone to mudification (such as limonite and copper oxide), the sludge particles are fine and have high surface charge and surface energy, which makes them easy to agglomerate. Sodium hexametaphosphate, as a dispersant, can achieve efficient dispersion of sludge through double-layer compression and steric hindrance effect, improve the grade of concentrate, and reduce the iron loss rate of tailings.

Surface modification

Sodium hexametaphosphate can regulate the hydrophilicity of mineral surfaces in a directional manner. In phosphate ore flotation, it changes the surface charge of minerals through selective adsorption. It can complex with Ca⊃2;⁺ on the surface of apatite, reduce the surface potential, enhance the electrostatic repulsion with anionic collectors, and reduce floatability; it can also complex with Al⊃3;⁺ on the surface of siliceous gangue, expose the hydrophilic Si-OH groups, and enhance its hydrophilicity. This achieves efficient separation of phosphate concentrate and gangue, and improves the quality of phosphate concentrate.

pH buffering

Sodium hexametaphosphate is weakly acidic (pH 5.5 - 6.5) and can buffer the pH fluctuation of ore pulp. In the flotation of copper, lead and zinc polymetallic ores, it can indirectly adjust the acid-base balance of the solution through hydrolysis and complexation with metal ions, prolonging the stability time of the optimal activity range (pH 8 - 10) of xanthate collectors; on the other hand, its complexation product is adsorbed on the surface of the mineral to form a pH response film, ensuring the stability of flotation indicators.

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