Ultrasonic-assisted flotation for enhancing the recovery of flaky graphite from low-grade graphite ore

Abstract

The feasibility of low-frequency ultrasound in enhancing the flotability of flaky graphite from low-grade graphite ore was investigated in this present study. This study involves a fundamental understanding of ultrasonic-assisted graphite flotation process and its relative comparison with the conventional flotation process. The flotation experiments were conducted in three stages viz., rougher, cleaner, re-cleaner stage during both convention and ultrasonic-assisted flotation. It was found that the efficiency of ultrasonic-assisted flotation was significantly higher than conventional flotation. The yield, fixed carbon content and percentage recovery of the flotation concentrate products increased significantly under ultrasonic-assisted flotation. Furthermore, the ultrasonic mechanism and its effect responsible for the breakage of graphite-impurities locked particles and particle size reduction were also discussed comprehensively. The raw graphite (RG) and final flotation concentrate products of conventional and ultrasonic-assisted flotation process were characterized by Stereomicroscope, X-Ray Diffraction, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and Raman Spectroscopy to understand the graphite liberation properties, mineralogical properties, surface properties and microcrystalline properties, respectively.