Principles of Froth Flotation

摘要: To achieve selective flotation of mineral particles, whether by their removal in a froth or the less-used method agglomeration, specific characteristics one more species present must be adequately developed. Provided these produce sufficiently marked differences behaviour presence air, they can then exploited. If particle is to held mineralised froth, it ground fineness at which downward pull gravity insufficient overcome its adhesion an air-water interface. The usual commercial separation entails lifting heavy metal sulphide away from relatively light gangue agency air bubbles rising through pulp. This buoyancy results comparatively large bubble. adhesive force with clings interface opposed gravitational drag due mass. For successful exploitation surface properties most ore minerals finer than 48–65 mesh. A such as coal (density circa 1.4) floated 10 mesh, provided bubble system on borne developed quiet layer froth. Random changes direction, acceleration, and collision may tear too out At other end size-range, all particles pulp are similar very fine sizes. Somewhere below 10μ, for ores about 3μ 5μ, becomes increasingly difficult control exploit accuracy needed depress gangue, float concentrate. Typically, practised between limits 60 mesh 5μ. quite apart any consideration “break” liberation