Catalytic Ozonation of Mineral Processing Wastewater Containing Butyl Xanthate

The removal of flotation reagent butyl xanthate by catalytic ozonation process using Mn-Ce-Al₂O₃ as catalyst was investigated. The effects of initial pH value, ozone dosage, catalyst loading, initial solution concentration, different process on butyl xanthate removal ratio were carried out. There action mechanism of Mn-Ce-Al₂O₃ for butyl xanthate was discussed by adding tert-butyl alcohol. The stability of catalyst was further researched. The results show that removal ratio of butyl xanthate can be reached 98.72% at initial pH =7.22, 1.75g/h of ozone dosage, 0.5g/l of catalyst loading, 100mg/l of initial solution concentration and 8 min of reaction time. butyl xanthate removal ratio is not significantly affected by introduction of different concentration tert-butyl alcohol. It can preliminary judge the reaction mechanism of Mn-Ce-Al₂O₃/O₃ system for butyl xanthate removal is non-hydroxyl radical dominance. It is worthy to note that organic flotation reagent removal by catalytic ozonation technology is feasible and has certain developing potential.