Effect of ZnSO4·7H2O and sodium silicate as combination inhibitors on flotation separation of fluorite and calcite

Fluorite is an important raw material for fluorine chemical industry. With the depletion of fluorite ore, more and more attention is paid to the resource utilization of fluorite ore. Because the physical and chemical properties of fluorite and calcite are similar, the separation of fluorite and calcite has been a difficult problem in the field of mineral processing. In this paper, the effect of ZnSO4?7H2O and sodium silicate as combination inhibitors on flotation separation of fluorite and calcite and its mechanism were studied by single mineral flotation test, adsorption measurement, Zeta potential measurement and chemical calculation of flotation solution. The results of flotation tests show that, compared with sodium silicate, Zn-sodium silicate (ZnSO4?7H2O mixed with sodium silicate) has a much better selective inhibition effect on calcite than fluorite, and can achieve the effective separation of two minerals. The results of adsorption measurement, Zeta potential measurement and flotation solution chemical calculation showed that, Zn-sodium silicate polymers and Si(OH)4 formed in the solution could be selectively adsorbed on the surface of calcite, The adsorption of NaOL on calcite was blocked. Achieve separation of fluorite and calcite.