Effect of different types of frothers on flotation of bituminous shale and its application to copper ore from Kupferschiefer (Poland)

The aim of the presented study is the beneficiation of bituminous shale including carbon in the sample from Kupferschiefer Cooper deposit in Poland. Two-stages of experiments with mechanical flotation cell have been carried out for this purpose. In the first stage, 12 frothers with four different types such as alyphatic alcohols, poly (propylene glycols), poly (propylene glycol) alkyl ethers and poly(ethylene glycol) alkyl ethers have been used. According to results the most efficient value has been gained by using the propilen glycol frothers. Although the most efficient value (%66.32) has been obtained by using the poly (propylene glycol) alkyl ether frother, flotation efficiency values of alyphatic alcohols are low (20%). In the second stage, beneficiation experiments have been carried out in mechanical cell with AF65, which is a poly (propylene glycols) ethers frother. According to the results designed by 23 factorial experimental design, it has been determined that parameters affecting the carbon efficiency of floated product are collector and frother ones. However, grinding time as grain size having a significant effect on the rate of carbon in floated product has been detected. According to the final results of this thesis, it has been determined that poly glycols ether type frothers may be used for the purpose of removing bituminous shale in copper ore. However, high selectivity for flotation study in mechanical cell had not been reached, but optimum level of the parameters were determined for the possible best results. Keywords: Copper Ore, Flotation, Frothers.