Potassium amyl xanthate is an organosulfur compound with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)4OCS2K. It is a pale yellow powder with a pungent odor that is soluble in water. This substance is used in the mining industry for ore separation using the flotation method.
What is Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX)?
This chemical is a water-soluble substance primarily used in the mining industry. Potassium amyl xanthate is prepared by the reaction of n-amyl alcohol with carbon disulfide and potassium hydroxide. It is a strong collector, mainly used in the flotation of non-ferrous metal minerals, both required and not required. It falls under the category of inorganic chemicals. Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) is one of the traditional thiol collectors used in the bulk and selective flotation of nickel and copper sulfide ores.
Applications of Potassium Amyl Xanthate
This substance is used as a collector for the flotation of non-ferrous minerals that require a strong collector but not high selectivity. It is an excellent collector for the flotation of sulfide minerals, including copper sulfide, zinc sulfide, as well as nickel-copper sulfide minerals, pyrite containing gold, and others.
This type of potassium is used for extracting conditioned ore amounts in an aqueous solution, mixed with xanthates, and then stirred in flotation cells. Xanthates may be added in liquid or solid form. Xanthates cause the minerals to attach to air bubbles and then float to the top of the flotation cell. Upon reaching the surface, the bubbles form a froth that overflows into a collection trough. The remaining material may be reused for additional recovery or removed for disposal. In this process, most of the xanthate is consumed. Several flotation processes are required for different ores.
