Separation of wolframite ore by froth flotation using a novel “crab” structure sebacoyl hydroxamic acid collector without Pb(NO3)2 activation

In this study, a new hydroxamic-acid molecule - sebacoyl hydroxamic acid (SHA) was synthesized and characterized. It was the first time that SHA with dual hydroxamic acid groups of “crab” structure was used as a collector for wolframite flotation, and its collecting ability was compared with the traditional collector benzohydroxamic acid (BAH) in the presence or absence of lead ions. In micro-flotation experiments, the wolframite recovery using 4 × 10 −4 mol/L SHA collector alone was 30% higher than that using 4 × 10 −4 mol/L BHA collector and 1 × 10 −4 mol/L Pb(NO 3 ) 2 activator. The results of bench-scale flotation experiments showed that the WO 3 recovery of wolframite concentrate with 180 g/t SHA was 10.05% higher than that with 360 g/t BHA and 300 g/t Pb(NO 3 ) 2 . Therefore, using SHA collector with “crab” structure for wolframite flotation can not only improve the separation index at a low dosage, but also eliminate the use of Pb(NO 3 ) 2 . The schematic illustration of the flotation separation process. • A novel surfactant sebacoyl hydroxamic acid (SHA) was synthesized. • SHA with a “crab” structure was first used as a collector for wolframite flotation. • SHA without Pb(II) ions had a stronger collecting ability than benzohydroxamic acid. • Using SHA collector improved the separation index and increased the economic benefit.