Types of Xanthates

The names of the xanthates are based on the alcohol used in their manufacture. Thus ethyl xanthate is produced form ethyl alcohol and isopropyl xanthate from isopropyl alcohol.

The following table lists the common xanthates.

Table 3 – Common Xanthates

Xanthates provide a wide range of collector power, enabling the flotation metallurgist to cope with practically any problem involving sulfide minerals. Nevertheless, the best Xanthate for any particular problem however, must be determined by actual test. In any testing program, sodium isopropyl, sodium ethyl, and potassium amyl xanthates should be investigated first, because in most cases one of these will prove to be the right collector. However, laboratory test of the other xanthates and/or specialty collectors should be included in any extensive investigation.

For some flotation separation, it is advantageous to use a combination of two xanthates, such as ethyl xanthate with amyl xanthate. In such instances the two xanthates with amyl xanthate. In such instances, the two xanthates may be mixed in predetermined quantities and fed from a single feeder, or the may be fed separately. In the latter case, the ethyl xanthate is usually employed  at a constant rate sufficient for normal ore conditions. The ethyl xanthate is sometimes used to skim off only the heavy mineral load and this is followed later in the circuit by the addition of amyl xanthate to pull the more refractory minerals or middling. As ore changes occur, varying quantities of the more powerful amyl xanthate are also fed as required to attain optimum metallurgical results.