Froth Flotation Mineral processing

froth flotation cells used concentrate copper , nickel sulfide minerals, falconbridge, ontario.

froth flotation important concentration process. process can used separate 2 different particles , operated surface chemistry of particles. in flotation, bubbles introduced pulp , bubbles rise through pulp. in process, hydrophobic particles become bound surface of bubbles. driving force attachment change in surface free energy when attachment occurs. these bubbles rise through slurry , collected surface. enable these particles attach, careful consideration of chemistry of pulp needs made. these considerations include ph, eh , presence of flotation reagents. ph important changes charge of particles surface , eh affects chemisorption of collectors on surface of particles.

the addition of flotation reagents affects operation of these processes. important chemical added collector. chemical binds surface of particles surfactant. main considerations in chemical nature of head group , size of hydrocarbon chain. hydrocarbon tail needs short maximize selectivity of desired mineral , headgroup dictates minerals attaches to.

the frothers important chemical addition pulp enables stable bubbles formed. important if bubble coalesce, minerals fall off surface. bubbles should not stable prevents easy transportation , dewatering of concentrate formed. mechanism of these frothers not known , further research mechanisms being performed.

depressants , activators used selectively separate 1 mineral another. depressants inhibit flotation of 1 mineral or minerals while activators enable flotation of others. examples of these include cn, used depress sulfides galena , depressant believed operate changing solubility of chemisorbed , physisorbed collectors on sulfides. theory originates russia. example of activator cu ions, used flotation of sphalerite.

there number of cells able used flotation of minerals. these include flotation columns , mechanical flotation cells. flotation columns used finer minerals , typically have higher grade , lower recovery of minerals mechanical flotation cells. cells in use @ moment can exceed 300 m. done cheaper per unit volume smaller cells, not able controlled smaller cells.

this process invented in 19th century in australia. used recover sphalerite concentrate tailings, produced using gravity concentration. further improvements have come australia in form of jameson cell, developed @ university of newcastle, australia. operated use of plunging jet generates fine bubbles. these fine bubbles have higher kinetic energy , such can used flotation of fine grained minerals, such produced isamill.