Flotation Frothers: Review of Their Classifications, Properties and Preparation
The Open Mineral Processing Journal, 2011, 4, 25-44
25
Open Access
Flotation Frothers: Review of Their Classifications, Properties and
Preparation
Hamid Khoshdast* and Abbas Sam
Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, 76169133, Kerman, Iran
Abstract: The importance of frothers in flotation is widely acknowledged, particularly in terms of their role with respect to bubble size, and the stability and mobility of the froth phase. These factors play a significant role in the kinetic viability of the process, and the overall recovery and the grade that can be achieved from a flotation cell or circuit. About 60 years ago, Wrobel [1] presented a comprehensive review of flotation frothers, their action, properties and structures. However, during recent six decades flotation reagent technology has undergone considerable evolutions and innovations. The aim of the present review is to provide an updated, comprehensive database comprising recent developments in flotation frother technology as well as some historical aspects. Different types of flotation frothers are discussed regarding to their classifications, properties, and preparation methods. New classification schemes have been suggested in parallel with introducing new characterization criteria. New classes of frothers are actually conventional frothers modified by incorporating certain functional “group” or “atoms” into their molecular structure. Like particle surface modifiers, frothers are also influenced by biotechnology, leading to introducing a new class of frothers named as “biofrothers”.
Keywords: Flotation frother, Classification, Properties, Preparation.
1. INTRODUCTION
When two bubbles come in contact with each other, the liquid film between them thins and breaks, causing bubbles to coalesce. When coalescence of bubbles formed in a liquid
(or released into it) does not take place in fractions of seconds, the bubbles rise to the surface
25
Open Access
Flotation Frothers: Review of Their Classifications, Properties and
Preparation
Hamid Khoshdast* and Abbas Sam
Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, 76169133, Kerman, Iran
Abstract: The importance of frothers in flotation is widely acknowledged, particularly in terms of their role with respect to bubble size, and the stability and mobility of the froth phase. These factors play a significant role in the kinetic viability of the process, and the overall recovery and the grade that can be achieved from a flotation cell or circuit. About 60 years ago, Wrobel [1] presented a comprehensive review of flotation frothers, their action, properties and structures. However, during recent six decades flotation reagent technology has undergone considerable evolutions and innovations. The aim of the present review is to provide an updated, comprehensive database comprising recent developments in flotation frother technology as well as some historical aspects. Different types of flotation frothers are discussed regarding to their classifications, properties, and preparation methods. New classification schemes have been suggested in parallel with introducing new characterization criteria. New classes of frothers are actually conventional frothers modified by incorporating certain functional “group” or “atoms” into their molecular structure. Like particle surface modifiers, frothers are also influenced by biotechnology, leading to introducing a new class of frothers named as “biofrothers”.
Keywords: Flotation frother, Classification, Properties, Preparation.
1. INTRODUCTION
When two bubbles come in contact with each other, the liquid film between them thins and breaks, causing bubbles to coalesce. When coalescence of bubbles formed in a liquid
(or released into it) does not take place in fractions of seconds, the bubbles rise to the surface
References: Dannat, Ed. London: The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1953, pp J. Leja, Surface Chemistry of Froth Flotation. Plenum Press: New York, 1982. 239-251, 2005. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: New York, 2004. Science & Technology Books: Amsterdam, 2007. J.S. Laskowski ed. Frothing in Flotation, Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, 1989. E.T. Woodburn ed. Frothing in Flotation II, Taylor and Francis Publisher, 1998. Sam, "Single bubble behavior study in a flotation column", Ph.D thesis, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 1995. S.V. Dudenkov, and A.A. Galikov, Theory and Practice of Application of Flotation Reagents. Nedra: Russia, 1969. Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, 2010. [Online] Available: www.wikipedia.com R.D. Crozier, Flotation: Theory, Reagents and Ore Testing. Pergamon Press: London, 1992. J.S. Laskowski, Coal Flotation and Fine Coal Utilization. Elsevier Science & Technology Books: Amsterdam, 2001. 2, 6th Ed. Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., 2002, pp. COM124, "Diacetone Alcohol", Material Safety Data Sheet, Comet Chemical Company Ltd., 2008 ICSC:1030, "n-Octanol", International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS), 2002