flotacij

Flotacija is a mineral processing technique used to selectively separate hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic materials. The process relies on differences in surface properties of the minerals, specifically their ability to be wetted by water. In a typical flotation cell, finely ground ore is mixed with water to form a slurry. A collector chemical is added, which selectively attaches to the surface of the desired mineral, making it hydrophobic or water-repelling. Frothers are also added to create a stable froth on the surface of the slurry. Air is then bubbled through the mixture. The hydrophobic mineral particles, coated with the collector, attach to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, where they are collected in the froth. The hydrophilic minerals, which are not coated by the collector, remain in the water and sink to the bottom. This process allows for the separation and concentration of valuable minerals from waste rock. Flotation is widely used in the mining industry for the beneficiation of various ores, including sulfide minerals, coal, and industrial minerals. The effectiveness of flotation depends on factors such as particle size, reagent dosage, pH, and conditioning time.