Flotation Thermodynamics: Can We Learn anything from It?

Abstract

The role of bubbles in the transportation of hydrophobic particles to a froth phase in flotation is well established. However, analysis of available data reveals that the bubbles are important most of all because they are the primary means of transportation of flotation agents to the points of bubble-to-particle attachment. The common view is that bubbles attach and lift hydrophobic particles to a froth layer. The thermodynamic analysis presented in this paper also leads to the conclusion that also the particles which become hydrophobic during the particle-bubble collision and attachment can be captivated by bubbles.

The role of bubbles in the transportation of hydrophobic particles to a froth phase in flotation is well established. However, analysis of available data reveals that the bubbles are important most of all because they are the primary means of transportation of flotation agents to the points of bubble-to-particle attachment. The common view is that bubbles attach and lift hydrophobic particles to a froth layer. The thermodynamic analysis presented in this paper also leads to the conclusion that also the particles which become hydrophobic during the particle-bubble collision and attachment can be captivated by bubbles.

Le rôle des bulles dans le transport des particules hydrophobes vers une phase mousseuse lors de la flottation est bien établi. Cependant, l'analyse des données disponibles révèle que les bulles sont importantes pour l'essentiel parce qu'elles sont le principal moyen de transport des agents de flottation vers les points d'attachement de bulle-à-particule. L'opinion générale est que les bulles attachent et soulèvent les particules hydrophobes vers une couche de mousse. L'analyse thermodynamique présentée dans cet article mène à la conclusion que les particules qui deviennent hydrophobes lors de la collision particule-bulle et lors de l'attachement peuvent aussi être capturées par les bulles.