Flotation characteristics of brucite and serpentine

In alkaline condition, experiments were taken to investigate the influence of different regulators on the flotation behaviors of brucite and serpentine when sodium oleate was the collector. The regulators used in experiments included sodium silicate, tannin and calcium lignosulphonate. The results showed that sodium silicate had a great effect on the flotation. When the regulator was the sodium silicate, serpentine recovery rate was less than 10% and brucite recovery was about 90% in the pH of 10. After analysis, brucite and serpentine may be separated effectively by sodium silicate. At last, the function mechanism of sodium silicate was probed. The electrostatic adhesion between serpentine and sodium silicate accured, and the surface of serpentine was negative so that it was difficult to be collected by sodium oleate; Instead, the impact of sodium silicate on brucite was weak, and the surface of brucite was still positive so that it could be collected easily.