An Insight into Research and Investigations on Froth Flotation

Flotation is combination of chemical, physicochemical and physical phenomena. It separates minerals on the basis of differences in surface properties. It is important to study the chemical and physicochemical properties of mineral surfaces. The process involves injection of air bubbles into a moving stream of aqueous slurry containing a mixture of particles. In the process only hydrophobic ores are collected on the bubble surface and exit the stream. According to the investigations reported by various researchers, it is envisaged to have adequate characterization of the system under consideration. Important factors in characterization includes solid phase, aqueous phase with solutes, gas or the second liquid phase, the three kinds of interface and interline, flow and force parameters and end products. The dispersed-air flotation looked preferable than dissolved air flotation. Gas hold up, superficial velocity and bubble size are important factors in column flotation.