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Why are surfactants used in froth flotation?
Among these, froth flotation is the only technique with wide industrial application. Here the role of surfactants in froth flotation of minerals is therefore dealt with in detail. In froth flotation, surfactants have to impart hydrophobicity selectively, to the desired particles, for successful separation.
Which of the properties are to be imparted to most minerals in order to float them?
To float minerals, hydrophobicity/enhanced hydrophobicity has to be imparted to them, which is obtained by adding a special type of surfactants known as collectors to the pulp, which is further agitated or conditioned for adsorption to take place.
Why is froth flotation used for sulphide ores?
. The single most important operation used for the recovery and upgrading of sulphide ore. Only sulphide ores are concentrated by the froth flotation process because pine oil selectively wets the sulphide ore and hence brings it to the froth. The sulphide ores preferably wetted by the oil and the gangue with the water.
Why modifiers are used in flotation?
A modifier provides the interface that both collector and mineral may relate to. This reagent will attach itself to an air bubble while it is also attached to the mineral, as the air bubble rises to the surface of the slurry it will lift the mineral away from the waste.
Can froth flotation be used for non sulphide ores?
Froth floatation can be applied for non-sulphide ore also using suitable activator.
What is the principle of froth flotation?
Froth flotation is a process for separating minerals from gangue by taking advantage of differences in their hydrophobicity. Hydrophobicity differences between valuable minerals and waste gangue are increased through the use of surfactants and wetting agents.
What is the role of collectors in froth flotation process?
Froth flotation is the most widely used industrial process for the separation of finely liberated minerals. A collector is a chemical that selectively binds to the surface of target minerals and imparts hydrophobicity to those mineral particles, a necessary condition for air bubble attachment.
Why are the collector used?
Collectors, some of the most important flotation reagents used in the flotation process, are used to modify the surface properties of minerals. Collectors can either chemically bond to the mineral surface with high selectivity (chemisorption), or be held on the surface by physical forces (physical absorption).