Flotation
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
Department of Ceramics and Metallurgical Engineering
College of Engineering
Activity No. 2
FLOTATION
In partial fulfillment of the course requirement in MET E 128
January 24, 2014
Abid A.R., Anhao R.M., Cubarol R.,
Nacalaban J.P., Pable G.
Submitted to
Engr. Jonah Longaquit-Gamutan
INTRODUCTION
Flotation is a process in mineral treatment and mining which separates mixtures by lifting creation minerals at or on a water process. It was developed on a commercial scale early in the 20th century to remove very fine particles that formerly had gone to waste in gravity concentration plants. This method separates and concentrates ores by altering their surfaces which then emphasize the difference in wettabilities of different minerals. When air is blown through the mixture, hydrophobic particles cling to the bubbles which rise to form froth on the surface while hydrophilic particles will sink. The froth layer that forms on the surface will then be heavily loaded with the hydrophobic mineral and can be removed as a separated product. A particle and a bubble should have in contact in order for flotation to occur wherein the bubble must be large enough for its buoyancy to lift the particle and stay on the surface. The hydrophilic particles will have much less tendency to attach to air bubbles and so it will remain in the pulp and be flushed away. This process is also called froth flotation which can be applied for a number of minerals.
Froth flotation is a highly versatile method for physically separating particles based on differences in the ability of air bubbles to selectively adhere to specific mineral surfaces in mineral/water slurry. It can be adapted to a broad range of mineral separations, as it is possible to use chemical treatments to selectively alter mineral surfaces so that they have the necessary properties for the separation. To achieve chemical
Department of Ceramics and Metallurgical Engineering
College of Engineering
Activity No. 2
FLOTATION
In partial fulfillment of the course requirement in MET E 128
January 24, 2014
Abid A.R., Anhao R.M., Cubarol R.,
Nacalaban J.P., Pable G.
Submitted to
Engr. Jonah Longaquit-Gamutan
INTRODUCTION
Flotation is a process in mineral treatment and mining which separates mixtures by lifting creation minerals at or on a water process. It was developed on a commercial scale early in the 20th century to remove very fine particles that formerly had gone to waste in gravity concentration plants. This method separates and concentrates ores by altering their surfaces which then emphasize the difference in wettabilities of different minerals. When air is blown through the mixture, hydrophobic particles cling to the bubbles which rise to form froth on the surface while hydrophilic particles will sink. The froth layer that forms on the surface will then be heavily loaded with the hydrophobic mineral and can be removed as a separated product. A particle and a bubble should have in contact in order for flotation to occur wherein the bubble must be large enough for its buoyancy to lift the particle and stay on the surface. The hydrophilic particles will have much less tendency to attach to air bubbles and so it will remain in the pulp and be flushed away. This process is also called froth flotation which can be applied for a number of minerals.
Froth flotation is a highly versatile method for physically separating particles based on differences in the ability of air bubbles to selectively adhere to specific mineral surfaces in mineral/water slurry. It can be adapted to a broad range of mineral separations, as it is possible to use chemical treatments to selectively alter mineral surfaces so that they have the necessary properties for the separation. To achieve chemical
References: Wills, B.A., Napier-Munn, T.J. (2006). Mineral Processing Technology. Elsevier Science & Technology Books. pp. 267-277 Pratama, P.P m= Dv = (1.237 g/ml)(1300 ml)