Recovery of Fine and Ultrafine Mineral Particles by Electroflotation – A Review

ABSTRACT

Fine and ultrafine particles are successfully recovered by flotation when fine bubbles are present. Electroflotation is a technique in which fine bubbles are generated by the electrolysis of water. This article reviews the experimental studies into mineral recovery by electroflotation and the potential application of electrolytic bubbles in the recovery of fine and ultrafine mineral particles. The literature reveals that electroflotation resulted in better recoveries of ultrafine particles (e.g. dolomite, magnesite, and pyrite) as compared with dispersed-air flotation because electrolytic bubbles are smaller in size and are more active than those generated during dispersed-air flotation.

KEYWORDS:

• Ultrafine particles
• electroflotation
• electrolytic bubbles

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The financial assistance of the Department of Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering, Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University is gratefully acknowledged.