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.

Which polyacrylamide polymers are more efficient under acidic pH?

In addition, the efficiency of the anionic G.Eudoxie and S.E. Hitlal: Efficiency of Polyacrylamide Polymers in Settling Aggregate Mining Tail Water 61 PAM has been shown to be greater under acidic pH (Deng et al., 2006). The effectiveness of the flocculation process depends on both the nature of the flocculant as well as suspension properties.

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.

Do anionic PAMS depress molybdenite flotation?

It was demonstrated that anionic PAMs have a depressing effect on molybdenite flotation, which is influenced by factors such as pH, mechanical degradation, the degree of anionicity, and molecular weight [3, 4, 5].

Do PAM molecules depress the flotation of chalcopyrite and enargite?

The results show that PAM molecules depress the flotation of chalcopyrite, enargite, and bornite under a wide range of pH values. The experimental data indicate that the depressing effect of PAMs on copper sulfides increases with pH.

Does molecular weight affect settling rate in anionic polymers?

Nasser and James (2006) argued differently and stated that for anionic polymers, especially in kaolinite dominated suspensions, increasing charge density will reduce the settling rate. However, both authors agreed that increasing molecular weight favours faster settling through larger flocs.