Flotatsiooni

Flotatsiooni, also known as flotation, is a process used to separate hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic materials. It is widely employed in mineral processing, wastewater treatment, and various industrial applications. The fundamental principle behind flotation relies on the difference in surface properties of the particles in a mixture.

In mineral processing, flotation is used to concentrate valuable minerals from ore. The ore is ground into fine particles and mixed with water to form a slurry. Chemical reagents, called collectors, are added to selectively adsorb onto the surface of the desired mineral particles, making them hydrophobic. Frothers are also added to create a stable froth layer on the surface of the slurry. Air is then blown through the mixture, causing the hydrophobic mineral particles to attach to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, forming a froth. This froth, rich in the desired mineral, is then skimmed off, while the hydrophilic gangue (waste material) remains in the slurry.

Flotation is a versatile separation technique that can be applied to a wide range of materials. Its efficiency depends on factors such as particle size, chemical conditions, and the type of reagents used. The process is continuously refined to improve recovery rates and purity of the separated products.