Pyrolysis liquid of pine wood: A novel efficient depressant of pyrite in galena flotation

The pyrolysis liquid of pine (PL) had a significant depression effect on pyrite, but its effect on galena was minimal. Within the pH range of 8.0-10.0, the recovery of pyrite was below 10 % upon the addition of 200 mg/L PL, whereas that of galena remained above 90 %. XPS analysis showed that the main functional groups adsorbed on the pyrite surface were C-OH and C--O. TOF-SIMS analysis showed that substances containing hydroxyl groups were adsorbed on the pyrite surface. GCMS analysis indicated that the main functional components of PL were phenols. PL has great potential for use in galena and pyrite flotation separation, to achieve high-value utilization of the pyrolytic solution.