Tungsten Beneficiation Collecting Agent – Oleic Acid

During flotation process, collecting agent will change hydrophobicity of tungsten element surface, floating tungsten ore grain will be attached on the foam. Oleic acid is common used tungsten beneficiation collecting agent both for concentrate and scheelite.

Oleic acid is monounsaturated fatty acid (Omega-9), originates from nature, exists as glyceride in grease of animals and plants. By saponification and acidity separation of glycerid in grease, oleic acid can be obtained. Industrial oleic acid is light yellow transparent oil liquid. After solidification it becomes white soft solidity.

Oleic acid can not be easily dissolved and dispersed. During beneficiation, we need to add solvent agent to emulsify or heat it. Temperature should be higher than 18℃. Sodium carbonate and sodium silicate are used as adjusting agent. Shortcomings of oleic acid are its defective selectivity, can not resist hard water, adding amount should be strictly controlled. It is added in separate times. In this case, beneficiation effect will be affected in certain extent.

Collecting agent property is determined by its balance in solution. Oleic acid is mild acid. When it is used as collecting agent, oleate ions reacts with minerals will have surface activity to collect and accumulate minerals.

Oleic acid, sodium oleate, linoleic acid are often used in tungsten minerals beneficiation. Due to strong collecting capability of oleic acid and short of selectivity, it is often used in quartz vein type tungsten ore beneficiation to get higher flotation standard.

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