Efecto de amina primaria (Armeen C) y bromuro de dimetildodecilamonio (HBDB) sobre la flotación de lepidolita.
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Date
2026
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Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
El presente estudio evalúa el efecto del pH y del tipo de colector sobre la flotación de lepidolita, considerando dos reactivos catiónicos: HBDB y Armeen C, así como la influencia de la calidad iónica del agua de proceso.
Se analizó el comportamiento electrocinético del mineral mediante mediciones de movilidad electroforética, junto con ensayos de microflotación y caracterización de la interacción partícula–colector.
Dado el número limitado de estudios que aplican el surfactante tipo gemini HBDB en sistemas de flotación espumante, esta investigación busca generar nuevos aportes sobre su desempeño e interacción con minerales de litio. El objetivo es comparar el desempeño de flotación de Armeen C y HBDB mediante ensayos de microflotación, determinando las condiciones óptimas de pH y dosificación en muestras de lepidolita pura, así como bajo distintas fuerzas iónicas (NaCl y CaCl2).
Complementariamente, se realizaron pruebas de movilidad electroforética para evaluar el comportamiento electrocinético, isotermas de adsorción para caracterizar las interacciones superficiales y ensayos de espumabilidad (DFI) para evaluar la estabilidad de la espuma.
Los resultados evidencian que el pH controla de manera determinante la flotabilidad de la lepidolita, al modular la carga superficial del mineral y la especiación de los reactivos. En ausencia de reactivos, la lepidolita presenta una superficie predominantemente negativa en un amplio rango de pH, con un punto isoeléctrico en la región ácida. La adsorción de HBDB y Armeen C induce inversión de carga superficial, confirmando la interacción electrostática entre los colectores catiónicos y el mineral.
En términos de desempeño metalúrgico, ambos reactivos presentan afinidad por la lepidolita; sin embargo, HBDB muestra mayor eficiencia en el rango neutro-alcalino, mientras que Armeen C presenta un comportamiento más sensible a las condiciones de pH y medio iónico. Los resultados confirman que los mecanismos de adsorción selectiva, junto con la modificación de la carga superficial, son determinantes en la hidrofobicidad del sistema, afectando directamente la recuperación del mineral.
This study evaluates the effect of pH and collector type on the flotation behavior of lepidolite, considering two cationic reagents, HBDB and Armeen C, as well as the influence of process water ionic strength. The electrokinetic behavior of the mineral was analyzed through electrophoretic mobility measurements, together with microflotation tests and characterization of particle–collector interactions. Given the limited number of studies applying the gemini-type surfactant HBDB in froth flotation systems, this research aims to provide new insights into its performance and interaction with lithium-bearing minerals. The objective is to compare the flotation performance of Armeen C and HBDB through microflotation tests, determining optimal pH and dosage conditions in pure lepidolite samples, as well as under different ionic strengths (NaCl and CaCl₂). In addition, electrophoretic mobility measurements were conducted to evaluate electrokinetic behavior, adsorption isotherms were used to characterize surface interactions, and frothability tests (DFI) were performed to assess foam stability. The results show that pH plays a key role in controlling lepidolite floatability by modulating mineral surface charge and reagent speciation. In the absence of reagents, lepidolite exhibits a predominantly negative surface charge over a wide pH range, with an isoelectric point in the acidic region. The adsorption of HBDB and Armeen C induces surface charge reversal, confirming electrostatic interactions between the cationic collectors and the mineral surface. From a metallurgical performance perspective, both reagents show affinity for lepidolite; however, HBDB exhibits higher efficiency in the neutral to alkaline pH range, while Armeen C is more sensitive to pH and ionic strength conditions. These results confirm that selective adsorption mechanisms, together with surface charge modification, are key factors governing system hydrophobicity and directly influencing mineral recovery.
This study evaluates the effect of pH and collector type on the flotation behavior of lepidolite, considering two cationic reagents, HBDB and Armeen C, as well as the influence of process water ionic strength. The electrokinetic behavior of the mineral was analyzed through electrophoretic mobility measurements, together with microflotation tests and characterization of particle–collector interactions. Given the limited number of studies applying the gemini-type surfactant HBDB in froth flotation systems, this research aims to provide new insights into its performance and interaction with lithium-bearing minerals. The objective is to compare the flotation performance of Armeen C and HBDB through microflotation tests, determining optimal pH and dosage conditions in pure lepidolite samples, as well as under different ionic strengths (NaCl and CaCl₂). In addition, electrophoretic mobility measurements were conducted to evaluate electrokinetic behavior, adsorption isotherms were used to characterize surface interactions, and frothability tests (DFI) were performed to assess foam stability. The results show that pH plays a key role in controlling lepidolite floatability by modulating mineral surface charge and reagent speciation. In the absence of reagents, lepidolite exhibits a predominantly negative surface charge over a wide pH range, with an isoelectric point in the acidic region. The adsorption of HBDB and Armeen C induces surface charge reversal, confirming electrostatic interactions between the cationic collectors and the mineral surface. From a metallurgical performance perspective, both reagents show affinity for lepidolite; however, HBDB exhibits higher efficiency in the neutral to alkaline pH range, while Armeen C is more sensitive to pH and ionic strength conditions. These results confirm that selective adsorption mechanisms, together with surface charge modification, are key factors governing system hydrophobicity and directly influencing mineral recovery.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al grado de Magíster en Ingeniería Metalúrgica.
Keywords
Minerales, Electrocinética, Flotación (Minerales)