ABSTRACT
Flotation is the single most important method of mineral processing and is widely used for the concentration of metal ores, industrial minerals, and coals. Several investigations were carried out during the last century, and the otation literature was immense, particularly on selective collectors and their interaction mechanisms on sulde, oxide, and silicate minerals. However, it is often difcult
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................65 3.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 67
3.2.1 Atomistic Simulation Techniques ............................................................................... 67 3.2.2 The Born Model of Solids and the Potential Model ...................................................68 3.2.3 Types of Surfaces ........................................................................................................69 3.2.4 Calculation of Surface Energy ....................................................................................69 3.2.5 Calculation of Adsorption Energy .............................................................................. 71 3.2.6 Interatomic Potential Parameters ............................................................................... 73
3.3 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................... 74 3.3.1 Quartz-Wollastonite Mineral System ........................................................................ 74 3.3.2 Quartz Surface Structures and Adsorption ................................................................ 77 3.3.3 Pure Surfaces of Quartz ............................................................................................. 77 3.3.4 Adsorption of Water on Pure Quartz Surfaces ........................................................... 79 3.3.5 Hydroxylation of Quartz Surfaces .............................................................................. 82 3.3.6 Adsorption of Water on Hydroxylated Quartz Surfaces ............................................. 83 3.3.7 Adsorption of Methanoic Acid on Pure Quartz Surfaces ...........................................84 3.3.8 Adsorption of Methylamine on Pure Quartz Surfaces ...............................................86 3.3.9 Adsorption of Methanoic Acid on Hydroxylated Quartz Surfaces ............................86 3.3.10 Adsorption of Methylamine on Hydroxylated Quartz Surfaces .................................87 3.3.11 Wollastonite Surface Structures and Adsorption ....................................................... 89 3.3.12 Pure Surfaces of Wollastonite .................................................................................... 89 3.3.13 Adsorption of Water on Pure Wollastonite Surfaces .................................................. 91 3.3.14 Hydroxylation of Wollastonite Surfaces .....................................................................93 3.3.15 Adsorption of Methanoic Acid on Pure Wollastonite Surfaces ..................................96 3.3.16 Adsorption of Methylamine on Pure Wollastonite Surfaces ......................................96 3.3.17 Dissolution of Calcium from Wollastonite Surfaces ..................................................99
