Near-neutral flotation of microfine ilmenite

Conventional ilmenite flotation strongly relies on sulfuric acid to improve the selectivity between ilmenite and associated gangue minerals, resulting in high reagent consumption, equipment corrosion and difficulties in process water recycling. In this study, a ternary Fe-BHA/NaOL complex collector was developed for the near-neutral flotation of actual ilmenite ore. Compared with conventional NaOL, BHA and mixed BHA/NaOL collectors, the Fe-BHA/NaOL complex exhibited a superior balance between collecting ability and selectivity. Closed-circuit flotation using a desulfurization–one roughing–two cleaning–one scavenging flowsheet produced an ilmenite concentrate with a TiO 2 grade of 47.18% and recovery of 78.13%. Compared with the traditional acid-intensive process, the new technology reduced one cleaning stage, decreased total reagent dosage by approximately 74%, reduced sulfuric acid consumption per ton of TiO 2 by 87.41% and completely eliminated diesel. This work provides a promising collector strategy for cleaner and more sustainable ilmenite beneficiation.