What are high-molecular-weight polymers based on anionic polyacrylamides?

High-molecular-weight polymers based on anionic polyacrylamides (PAMs) are used as tailing flocculants in mineral processing plants. The recirculation of water recovered from the tailing thickeners to the flotation process introduces residual PAMs, which can impact the flotation of important copper sulfides like chalcopyrite, bornite, and enargite.

Does an anionic polyacrylamide depress the flotation of chalcopyrite and enargite?

This issue has been rarely studied. In this work, results on the effect of an anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) of medium–low anionicity on the flotation of chalcopyrite, enargite, and bornite are reported and analyzed. The results show that PAM molecules depress the flotation of chalcopyrite, enargite, and bornite under a wide range of pH values.

How is anionic polyacrylamide synthesized?

Synthesis mechanism The anionic polyacrylamide was synthesized by copolymerizing AM and SAS monomers. The essence of copolymerization is the free radical reaction. Thus, this chain reaction can be divided into three distinct processes: initiation, propagation, and termination.

Is magnafloc a polyacrylamide homopolymer?

Magnafloc® 800HP (BASF) is nominally a polyacrylamide homopolymer, although may contain up to 1 % of anionic functionalities. Fig. 3 b shows that in contrast to anionic flocculants, applying the nonionic 800HP at a dosage of only 56 g t −1 was able to induce significant aggregation of solids within the drilling fluid.

Can ionic polymers be used as flocculants?

Anionic polymers used as flocculants can also carry cutting in exploration drilling. These polymers are expected to encapsulate particles, making flocculation unlikely. Centrifuging cuttings-laden fluids struggles to remove fines prior to fluid return. Anionic flocculants are ineffective, but nonionics are shown to induce aggregation.

What spectroscopy is used to identify anionic polyacrylamide flocculant?

The anionic polyacrylamide (APAM-T) flocculant was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was conducted to measure the elemental composition.