Int. J. Miner. Process.

83 (2007) 19 – 27
www.elsevier.com/locate/ijminpro

The effect of lignosulfonates on the floatability of talc

Xiaodong Ma 1 , Marek Pawlik ⁎
The University of British Columbia, Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, 517-6350 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
Received 23 May 2006; received in revised form 26 March 2007; accepted 26 March 2007
Available online 3 April 2007

Abstract

The floatability of talc in the presence of six lignosulfonates was studied in a series of Hallimond tube flotation experiments in
the alkaline pH range from about 7 to 11.2. The strongest depression of talc was observed at higher pH values (pH ∼ 11) when lime
was used for pH adjustments. The depressing power of lignosulfonates correlated very well with the adsorption density of the
polyelectrolytes on the talc surfaces. As the adsorption of lignosulfonates increased, their depressing action was also enhanced. The
adsorption data strongly suggest that electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged talc surfaces and the strongly anionic
polyelectrolytes prevents lignosulfonates from adsorbing onto the talc surfaces and depressing the flotation of the mineral. The
results demonstrate an “activating” role of calcium ions in the depression of talc by lignosulfonates. Calcium species on the talc
surface appear to act as adsorption sites for the anionic polyelectrolytes, particularly at higher pH values adjusted with lime when
increasing amounts of specifically-adsorbing calcium hydroxy-cations start appearing in solution.
© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Talc; Lignosulfonates; Flotation; Depressants

1. Introduction Lignosulfonates are strongly anionic polyelectrolytes

which are obtained as a by-product of wood processing to
Talc is the most troublesome naturally hydrophobic extract cellulose. Although the exact structure of
gangue mineral. The presence of talc in valuable mineral lignosulfonates has not been elucidated, it is generally
deposits is a major technological issue in fine mineral accepted that a wide variety of functional groups are
flotation. The selective depression of talc is usually present in lignosulfonate molecules with aliphatic,
achieved using natural (guar gum) or synthetic (carbox- aromatic, sulfonic, carboxylic and hydroxyl groups
ymethyl cellulose) polysaccharides. The surface chem- being the main constituents. These polyelectrolytes are
istry of talc depression by polysaccharides has been commercially available as calcium, sodium, potassium or
investigated in detail and a number of talc-polysaccha- ammonium salts. So far lignosulfonates have found only
ride interaction mechanisms have been proposed limited application in mineral processing. Pradip and
(Khraisheh et al., 2005; Wang et al., 2005; Liu et al., Fuerstenau (1991) tested a lignosulfonate as a barite
2000; Shortridge et al., 2000). depressant in the selective flotation of bastnaesite ((La,
Ce)FCO3) with fatty acids as collectors. Arsentiev and
Leja (1977) reported a rather poor performance of
⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 604 827 5034; fax: +1 604 822 5599. lignosulfonates as slime blinders in potash flotation.
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. Pawlik). Hiscox et al. (1976) described a flotation process in which
1
Tel.: +1 604 827 5034; fax: +1 604 822 5599. molybdenite was selectively depressed by lignosulfonates
0301-7516/$ - see front matter © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.minpro.2007.03.007
20 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27

Table 1
Selected chemical properties of the tested lignosulfonate samples
Sample Ca [%] Na [%] Total sulfur [%] Sulfonate sulfur [%] HPLC sugars [%] Carboxylic groups [%] Average molecular weight [kDa]
D748 0 7.0 6.5 6.2 1.0 3.1 45
D648 0.1 15.9 11.1 8.1 0 7.4 5
D619 0 9.0 7.0 6.0 1.0 3.2 25
D659 0 9.0 4.9 4.2 0 5.2 30
D750 0 8.0 3.2 2.7 0 7.4 6
D912 8.0 0.1 6.5 5.0 2.0 7.2 5.5

from a talc-containing “hydrophobic pre-float”. The se- revealed the presence of 82% talc, and roughly equal
lective action of lignosulfonates towards molybdenite at quantities of tremolite (Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2), anthophyl-
pH 7.2 was attributed to a higher adsorption density of the lite (Mg7Si8O22(OH)2), and lizardite (Mg3Si2O5(OH)4).
polyelectrolyte on molybdenite compared to that on talc The mineral was used as-received without any further
(Kelebek et al., 2001). In a more unusual application, a purification.
sodium lignosulfonate was demonstrated to be a selective Six samples of well-characterized lignosulfonates were
depressant towards polyvinyl chloride in the flotation obtained from Borregaard–Lignotech USA. Some of the
separation of plastics (Singh, 1998). Sadowski (1995) chemical properties of the reagents are shown in Table 1.
used sodium lignosulfonate for the selective oil agglom- Analytical grade calcium oxide (CaO), potassium
eration of barite from mixtures with carbonate minerals, hydroxide (KOH),) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were
with the addition of oleic acid to modify the hydropho- used for pH adjustments. Potassium nitrate and potassium
bicity of the salt-type minerals. Apparently, the polyelec- chloride were used to provide constant ionic strength.
trolyte inhibited oleate adsorption on carbonates while Methyl isobutyl carbinol, (MIBC — Cytec Aerofroth 70)
oleate interactions with barite were not affected. The high was used as the frother in the flotation tests.
affinity of lignosulfonates towards carbonate minerals Natural guar gum (Rantec KP4000) was also utilized in
(calcite, dolomite) is also utilized for the depression of a number of flotation tests as the baseline talc depressant.
these sparingly soluble minerals in the flotation of phos-
phates (Lu and Sun, 1999). 2.2. Hallimond tube flotation of talc
In this work, lignosulfonates are tested as potential
talc depressants. Since there is no fundamental data on 2.5 g of the − 150 + 38-micron size fraction were
lignosulfonate adsorption on talc and the resulting float- weighed on an analytical balance and conditioned with
ability of the mineral, the main objective of this study is 80 ml of a 0.001 N potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution in
to establish basic correlations between these interfacial a 200-ml glass beaker for about 2 min. The pH of the
phenomena. pulp, in the range from about 7 to 11.4, was adjusted
using a 10% (wt) saturated suspension of lime (CaO).
2. Experimental For every lignosulfonate sample a series of tests was
also carried out at natural pH without any pH adjust-
2.1. Materials ments. After conditioning at a given pH value, a pre-
determined volume of a 10-g/L lignosulfonate solution
A talc sample was obtained from Ward's Natural in 0.001 N potassium nitrate was added to the mixture
Science (Rochester, NY). The mineral was received as and the pH was re-adjusted if necessary. The talc pulp
large pieces (approximately 2 in by 3 in), dry-crushed to was conditioned for a further 10 min at a constant pH
below 20 mm, and then dry-ground using a porcelain ball value in the presence of a lignosulfonate depressant after
mill. The finely ground product was dry-screened on 150- which the whole mixture was transferred to a modified
and 38-micron sieves, and the −150 + 38-micron size Hallimond tube. Afterwards, an additional 75–80 ml of
fraction was used for flotation, adsorption and electro- a 0.001 N KNO3 solution (with a pre-adjusted pH value)
acoustic studies. The BET specific surface area deter- were added to fill up the tube. A small aliquot (1.6 ml) of
mined from nitrogen adsorption (Quantachrome a stock 1-g/L MIBC solution was added to the tube to
Autosorb 1MP), after outgassing at 200 °C under vacuum, achieve a final frother concentration of 10 mg/L. The
was 4.87 m2/g — somewhat higher than expected from a pulp was mechanically mixed for about 20 s after which
narrowly-sized and relatively coarse material. An x-ray flotation commenced. The total volume of the pulp was
diffraction analysis (Rietveld refinement) of this sample 160 ml. All the tests were preformed using nitrogen. The
 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27 21

flotation time was 75 s to minimize the mechanical strong background signal in the UV range, particularly
carry-over of poorly floating particles, while the below a wavelength of 260 nm. Therefore, the
nitrogen flow rate was maintained at 20 ml/min. adsorption studies were carried out using 0.001 N
The small amount of MIBC enhanced the kinetics of potassium chloride which gave practically zero absor-
talc flotation while stabilizing the formation of smaller, bance levels in the tested wavelength range.
more uniform-in-size gas bubbles. It was also observed
that after approximately 75 s of flotation nitrogen bubbles 2.4. Electroacoustic measurements
were barren and no talc was reporting to the froth even
under the best flotation conditions (no depressant). A In order to investigate the effect of pH on the
flotation concentrate from each test was vacuum-filtered magnitude of the surface charge of the talc particles,
on a Q2 (fine porosity) Fisher Scientific filter paper. The electroacoustic measurements were carried out using a
wet product was then dried in an oven at 110 °C, and Zeta Probe (Colloidal Dynamics, Warwick, RI). The
weighed on an analytical balance to the nearest 0.1 mg tests were run on talc suspensions at 5% (wt) solids using
taking a correction for the mass of a dry filter paper. 0.001 N potassium nitrate as the background electrolyte.
A “control” test for each type of lignosulfonate was The same size fraction as in the flotation and adsorption
also performed using potassium hydroxide (KOH) instead tests was also used in the electroacoustic measurements.
of lime for pH adjustment. The reference lignosulfonate The tests were made as automatic titrations using a CaO
concentration chosen for such a test depended on the suspension, or KOH and HCl solutions.
relative depressing power of each lignosulfonate reagent. The Electroacoustic Sonic Amplitude (ESA) effect
occurs when an alternating electric field of known
2.3. Adsorption tests frequency and amplitude is applied to a suspension of
fine, charged particles. As the particles oscillate in the
A 1.6-g talc sample was conditioned for 20 min in applied electric field, the dynamic mobility/zeta poten-
100 ml of a lignosulfonate solution at the desired pH. tial of the particles is determined by the magnitude of
The solids-to-solution ratio was the same as in the particle motion. While oscillations of very fine colloidal
flotation tests. The initial lignosulfonate concentration particles easily keep up with changes in the electric field,
in all the tests was 50 mg/L. Preliminary kinetic tests the sinusoidal signal from large particles significantly
revealed that adsorption equilibrium was attained within lags behind the sinusoidal electric field and the phase
the first 5 min of conditioning with lignosulfonates. angle between the two signals increases. For each solid
After conditioning, each talc–lignosulfonate suspension there is a maximum particle size above which the
was centrifuged at 10,000 ×g for 20 min. The particles are too heavy to produce any measurable signal.
equilibrium concentration of lignosulfonates in the The operating frequency range of the Zeta Probe (from
supernatant was measured by UV spectrophotometry 0.3 to 3 MHz) allows the instrument to determine particle
(Varian Cary 50 UV–VIS spectrophotometer). sizes up to 10 μm although the particle size/frequency
For each lignosulfonate, a number of scans in the distribution data are not available to the user. For coarser
wavelength range from 210 to 400 nm were run to materials the instrument must be “told” the size
determine the optimum wavelength for spectrophotomet- distribution by inputting d50 and d85 sizes (assuming a
ric measurements. It was quickly observed that the log-normal size distribution) to obtain zeta potentials,
absorbance spectra of a 50 mg/L lignosulfonate solution provided that such coarse particles give a measurable
varied significantly depending on pH and the reagent used signal. Since the tested suspensions contained very
for pH adjustments (KOH or CaO). However, the coarse particles, for which these inertia effects were
absorbance spectra for each lignosulfonate exhibited a certainly very significant, it was decided to report only
common intersection point (wavelength) at which the the raw (ESA) signal rather than some “apparent” zeta
absorbance was independent of the experimental condi- potentials.
tions. Thus, rather than using several different calibration
curves, a single calibration curve was prepared at the 3. Results
common wavelength for each reagent. The measuring
wavelengths for the lignosulfonates were 229 nm for the 3.1. Electroacoustic characterization of the talc surface
D748, 233 nm for the D619 and D912, 308 nm for the charge
D750, and 236 nm for the D659 and D648.
In the course of the spectrophotometric tests, it was Fig. 1 illustrates the effect of pH on the electro-
also observed that potassium nitrate produced a very acoustic response of 5% (wt) talc suspensions.
22 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27

Fig. 1. Electroacoustic signal of 5% (wt) talc suspensions as a function Fig. 2. Adsorption of lignosulfonates as a function of pH. Lime (CaO)
of pH. pH adjustments were made with hydrochloric acid, potassium was used for pH adjustments. Initial lignosulfonate concentration
hydroxide or calcium oxide (lime). 50 mg/L.

It should be noted that the natural pH of a 5%

talc suspension was around 9 so all the data points below As Fig. 3 shows, the adsorption of the lignosulfo-
pH 9 were obtained using hydrochloric acid for pH nates follows an opposite trend when pH is adjusted
control. Above the natural pH value, two separate with KOH. In contrast to the additions of lime,
titrations were carried out using either a lime suspension increasing dosages of KOH to reach higher pH values
or a concentrated potassium hydroxide solution as pH bring about a dramatic decrease of lignosulfonate
modifiers. adsorption with practically only the D912 reagent
As Fig. 1 shows, the mineral becomes more and more yielding any significant adsorption at pH 11 or higher.
negatively charged when pH is increased with KOH. In
contrast to the effect of KOH, pH adjustments using 3.3. Depression of talc floatability as a function of pH
lime gradually reduce the magnitude of the surface
charge to less negative values and eventually take the Figs. 4–10 illustrate the effect of lignosulfonate
system through an isoelectric point at pH about 11.5. At concentration on the floatability of talc at three pH
even higher pH values set with lime, the mineral surface values/ranges.
is rendered positively charged. At natural or mildly alkaline pH, the D648 does not
Additions of hydrochloric acid produce a rather well- affect the floatability of talc in the studied concentration
know trend as the surface charge becomes less and less
negative. An extrapolated isoelectric point for this talc
sample can be identified at pH 2.

3.2. Adsorption of lignosulfonates on talc as a function

of pH

Figs. 2 and 3 show the adsorption densities of ligno-

sulfonates on talc in the alkaline pH range. In Fig. 2, the
results were obtained using calcium oxide (lime) for pH
adjustments while Fig. 3 presents analogous data
obtained with the use of potassium hydroxide (KOH).
It can be seen from Fig. 2 that under neutral and
weakly alkaline pH conditions the adsorption density of
the lignosulfonates increases in the order D648 b D619 b
D748 b D659 b D748 b D912. At high pH (lime), the Fig. 3. Adsorption of lignosulfonates as a function of pH. Potassium
amount of all lignosulfonates adsorbed on the talc surface hydroxide (KOH) was used for pH adjustments. Initial lignosulfonate
significantly increases. concentration 50 mg/L.
 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27 23

Fig. 4. Effect of the D648 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH Fig. 6. Effect of the D619 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH
was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated. was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated.

range. The maximum flotation yield corresponds well Similarly to the D748, increasing concentrations of
with the pure talc content in the sample (82%). At pH 11 the D619 lignosulfonate induce only moderate levels of
there is a large difference between the floatability of the talc depression up to pH about 9.3 (Fig. 6), but under
mineral in the presence of CaO and KOH. With lime strongly alkaline conditions in the presence of lime, talc
additions, talc flotation is measurably depressed at very flotation basically ceases. However, the flotation of talc
low lignosulfonate dosages, while high pH adjusted in the presence of the D619 can easily be improved
with KOH affects the flotation of talc only to a small when pH is adjusted with KOH in a way similar to the
degree. response of the D648 and D748.
In the case of the D748 reagent, a weak depression of Thus, the D648, D619 and D748 reagents can
talc can be detected at neutral and weakly alkaline pH, generally be characterized by a poor depressing action
and the mineral becomes completely depressed at pH 11 at natural pH and the lack of significant depression at
after lime additions. Interestingly, pH adjustment to 11 high pH set with KOH.
with the use of KOH almost fully restores the natural In contrast to the data for the D648, D619 and D748
floatability of talc even in the presence of 100 mg/L of lignosulfonates, the main common feature of the results
the lignosulfonate. obtained in the presence of the D659, D750 and D912
reagents is the marked depression of talc flotation at
natural pH (Figs. 7–9).

Fig. 5. Effect of the D748 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH Fig. 7. Effect of the D659 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH
was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated. was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated.
24 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27

Fig. 8. Effect of the D750 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH Fig. 10. Effect of natural guar gum (Rantec KP4000) on the floatability
was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated. of talc. pH was adjusted using CaO.

The mineral is also completely depressed in the tions, the depression of talc by guar gum is complete
presence of these three lignosulfonates when pH is even at low concentrations of the polysaccharide.
raised to around 11 using lime. However, in the presence
of the D659, talc depression does not occur when KOH 4. Discussion
is used for pH modification, while the D750 and D912
are still capable of markedly depressing the mineral Using the level of talc depression at the natural
under the same conditions. Interestingly, the depression pH levels as a reference, the depressing power of
of talc at pH 11 using KOH in the presence of the D750 the tested lignosulfonates increases in the order:
and D912 is at the same level as that observed at natural D648 b D748 ≈ D619 b D659 b D750 b D912. This trend
pH for these two reagents. agrees very well with the observed increase in
Overall, talc depression by all the lignosulfonates is lignosulfonate adsorption densities. Quite clearly, the
enhanced at high pH, compared to depression at natural depressing action of the polyelectrolytes is strongly
pH, but only when lime is used as a pH modifier. enhanced at higher pH values when calcium oxide is
Fig. 7 shows the “reference” talc flotation results used for pH adjustments. Although only a single
obtained for natural guar gum in the same pH ranges as measurement was made at pH 11 for each lignosulfonate
those for the lignosulfonates. Regardless of pH condi- with the use of KOH, it is obvious that the addition of
potassium hydroxide for pH control does not increase
the degree of talc depression by the reagents. In some
cases (D748 and D659), pH adjustments with KOH
even improve the flotation of talc. Generally, lignosul-
fonates are poor talc depressants at neutral or mildly
alkaline pH values (pH 7–9.3) but their depressing
capabilities dramatically increase under strongly alka-
line conditions when lime is used as the pH modifier. At
pH ≈ 11, the performance of lignosulfonates is as good
as that of guar gum.
As the electroacoustic data show, the talc particles are
net-negatively charged over a wide pH range with an
extrapolated isoelectric point about pH 2. However,
depending on which pH modifier, KOH or CaO, is used
for pH control above pH ≈ 9 (natural pH of 5% talc
suspension), the mineral particles become either more
Fig. 9. Effect of the D912 lignosulfonate on the floatability of talc. pH negatively charged (after KOH addition) or the system
was adjusted using CaO unless otherwise indicated. goes through a second isoelectric point around pH 11.5
 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27 25

(after CaO addition) and the talc surface becomes net- effect of CaOH+ species in the fatty acid flotation of
positively charged. quartz. Similarly, Iskra et al. (1973) observed increased
Lime is a very common pH modifier in many adsorption of quebracho (an anionic polyelectrolyte) on
industrial flotation processes. As a secondary effect of hematite and quartz in the presence of calcium at higher
lime additions, increasing amounts of calcium ions are pH values.
introduced into the system at higher pH values. The Although the exact adsorption mechanism of each
speciation of calcium in solution is a function of pH and lignosulfonate is difficult to identify at this stage, it
it has long been known that calcium adsorption on seems that strong electrostatic repulsion (in the absence
negatively charged mineral surfaces (e.g., quartz) is of the specific adsorption of calcium ions) between the
closely associated with the presence of calcium hydroxy negatively charged talc particles and the anionic
species (CaOH+) (Clark and Cooke, 1968). These macromolecules overcomes any other talc–lignosulfo-
complexes appear in increasing amounts as the pH of nate interactions, prevents lignosulfonate adsorption and
solution increases. Therefore, lime additions cause two subsequent talc depression. Lignosulfonates are known
simultaneous phenomena: a pH increase in the pulp and to be only weakly surface-active. Their effect on the
enhanced specific adsorption of CaOH+ complexes on surface tension of aqueous solutions becomes pro-
the talc particles. The latter manifests itself by the nounced only at concentrations on the order of several
decreasing absolute values of the ESA signal and the weight-percent (Browning, 1967). Such observations
presence of the second isoelectric point at pH ≈ 11.5. typically indicate that lignosulfonate molecules are quite
In contrast, pH adjustments with KOH cause a balanced in terms of the distribution of lyophobic and
continuous decrease of the electroacoustic signal lyophilic groups without any clearly defined hydropho-
towards more and more negative values suggesting that bic and hydrophilic domains. It is therefore highly
the talc surface becomes strongly negatively charged. unlikely that hydrophobic interactions are involved in
Talc particles possess two types of surfaces; the mechanism of lignosulfonate adsorption onto talc.
hydrophobic faces and hydrophilic edges. The hydro- The actual adsorption mechanism is probably a
phobic faces consisting of –Si–O–Si– groups should combination of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interac-
nominally be uncharged, while the surface charge on the tions, and chemical bonding/complexation with the
edges depends on pH. The results of Fuerstenau and surface calcium sites.
Huang (2003) suggest that the edges are negatively It should be noted that the adsorption density of the
charged over a wide pH range (3–12) since the contact stronger lignosulfonate depressants at natural pH values
angle measured on the edges significantly increased in is quite substantial. Therefore, there is a direct
the presence of a cationic surfactant. It is highly unlikely correlation between the depression of talc flotation by
that the negatively charged edges are the only source of lignosulfonates and the adsorption density of the
the net-negative surface charge of the talc particles since polyelectrolytes on the talc particles.
the contribution of the edges to the total surface area is Several additional observations can be made in this
usually small compared to that of the faces (although it context. The D912 reagent is the only calcium salt
will also depend on the talc particle size). It should among the tested lignosulfonates and its adsorption on
however be remembered that the isoelectric point of talc is very high even when KOH is added. It appears
model, hydrophobic hydrocarbons is in the vicinity of that the amount of calcium present in the reagent is
pH 2–3. Even methylated/hydrophobic silica maintains sufficient to activate the talc surface for lignosulfonate
its i.e.p. at pH 2 due to the presence of residual polar adsorption and talc depression. There is also a good
groups on the surface whose gradual hydration and qualitative correlation between the content of sulfonic
ionization determine the magnitude of the zeta potential groups and the depressing power of the lignosulfonates.
(Laskowski and Kitchener, 1969). The three weakest and least adsorbing depressants – the
The adsorption of all lignosulfonates increases as the D648, D748, and D619 – have the highest concentra-
pH is raised using lime, but it decreases to zero for all tions of sulfonic groups, which also make these reagents
the samples, except the D912 reagent, when KOH is most anionic in the series at natural pH. The other three
used for pH modification. These trends show that lignosulfonates – the D659, D750, and D912 – have
lignosulfonate adsorption on talc closely follows the relatively low contents of sulfonic groups and their
adsorption of calcium hydroxy species, but the anionic adsorption densities are comparatively higher. These
polyelectrolytes are unable to adsorb on the strongly three lignosulfonates are able to moderately depress talc
negatively charged talc surfaces after KOH additions. flotation at neutral pH values. At pH 11 adjusted with
Clark and Cooke (1968) demonstrated the activating KOH, the D750 lignosulfonate characterized by the
26 X. Ma, M. Pawlik / Int. J. Miner. Process. 83 (2007) 19–27

lowest sulfonate group content is the only sodium salt that calcium ions in solution affect the degree of
still giving a measurable adsorption, and hence dissociation of the weakly acidic groups of lignosul-
producing weak depression of talc flotation. In strongly fonates further reducing electrostatic repulsion be-
alkaline solutions, the dissociation of carboxylic and tween the reagents and the mineral surface thus
phenolic groups of lignosulfonates should also contrib- leading to higher lignosulfonate adsorption and talc
ute to the overall anionicity of the polyelectrolytes, but depression.
the presence of calcium cations and calcium-hydroxy The results show that the presence of calcium in
ions in solution very likely counteracts the influence of solution is a critical factor determining the ability of the
high pH on the dissociation of the weakly acidic groups. lignin-based reagents to depress the flotation of the
Only the strongly anionic sulfonic groups remain mineral. Because of the activating role of calcium ions,
unaffected by calcium ions or pH under the studied calcium lignosulfonates are stronger talc depressants
conditions. Therefore, at high pH adjusted with lime, than sodium salts.
charge neutralization reactions between cationic calci-
um species and the weakly acidic groups of lignosulfo- Acknowledgements
nates would further reduce the magnitude of
electrostatic repulsion between the reagents and the Financial and in-kind support for this study was
mineral surface, increase the adsorption of lignosulfo- provided by Borregaard Lignotech USA through a
nates, and thus enhance the depression of talc flotation. Grant-In-Aid of Research.
It should also be observed that at pH 11 adjusted with
lime the talc surface is still net-negatively charged so References
electrostatic attraction alone cannot be responsible for
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conditions. to ores in Canada and the Soviet Union. CIM Bull. 154–158
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D648 does not adsorb on talc at all until pH 10 is reached Surface Active Substances, vol. I. Gordon and Breach, New York,
with CaO additions. Between the D648 and D912, the pp. 141–154.
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as collector. Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. 82, C73–C78.
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of talc flotation correlates directly with the amount of separation by flotation. Sep. Sci. Technol. 36, 145–157.
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electrostatic forces largely control the adsorption transition on silica. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 29, 670–679.
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