Study on flotation desulfurization process of a high-sulfur bauxite ore in Guizhou

This paper focuses on the optimization of flotation desulfurization processes for high-sulfur bauxite in a specific region of Guizhou, aiming to reduce sulfur content, improve the grade of aluminum concentrate, and provide technical support for front-end alumina production and the comprehensive utilization of high-sulfur bauxite resources. A flotation circuit comprising one roughing and one cleaning stage is employed. Key parameters: grinding fineness, pulp pH value, collector dosage, activator, depressant, and agitation speed are optimized through single-factor experiments. Based on these optimized conditions, open-circuit tests are conducted for aluminum enrichment and sulfur removal. The results demonstrate that under optimal conditions, aluminum concentrate with a sulfur content of 0.42% and Al₂O₃ grade of 61.36%, along with sulfur tailings containing 24.44% sulfur and 41.45% Al₂O₃, are obtained, achieving a sulfur removal rate of 93.92%. The findings indicate that the optimized flotation process effectively reduces sulfur content in high-sulfur bauxite while enhancing aluminum concentrate quality, meeting alumina production standards. This research not only supplies high-quality raw materials for alumina production but also offers critical insights for the integrated utilization of high-sulfur bauxite resources.