Thermodynamic Aspects of the Selection of Sulfur -Containing Collectors during Flotation of Sulfide Ores

Abstract

Investigations into the complexing ability of sulfur containing collectors relative to metal ions (Cu2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Co2+) at 298 K and an ion force of 0.075–0.75 mol/L (NaNO3) are carried out. It is estab lished that potassium dibutyl dithiophosphate possesses the largest affinity to metal ions among phosphorus containing collectors, while the maximal complexing ability is characteristic of the Co2+ ion. Series of ther mal stability are found; the variations in enthalpy, entropy, and the Gibbs energy, as well as temperature dependent and temperature independent contributions of complexes of metal ions with collector anions into ΔG0, are calculated.