On the Possible Flotation of Sarcheshmeh Copper Ore Using Rhamnolipid Biosurfactants: A Statistical Approach

In this study, the flotation performance of a sample copper ore obtained from Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex was investigated using rhamnolipidbiosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. Rhamnolipid biosurfactant was applied as a frothing reagent in the presence and the absence of conventional operating frothers, including methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and a polypropylene glycol ether with molecular weight 264 g/mol (DF-250). Metallurgical and mineralogical results for copper, molybdenum and iron were selected as system responses and evaluated through a time-blocking one-way experimental design. Results showed that flotation performance of copper and molybdenum minerals decreases as rhamnolipid concentration was increased. In contrast, rhamnolipid addition was improved the performance of iron minerals flotation due to high frothing power of the rhamnolipid product and the possible positive interaction between rhamnolipid molecules and iron minerals surfaces.

Keywords:

Copper ore , Froth flotation , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Rhamnolipid biosurfactant