flottálás

Flottálás, also known as flotation, is a physico-chemical separation process used extensively in mineral processing and wastewater treatment. It relies on the differences in surface properties of various materials to selectively separate them. In mineral processing, it is primarily used to concentrate valuable minerals from crushed ore. The core principle involves introducing fine particles of ore into a slurry of water and then adding specific chemical reagents. These reagents are designed to attach to the surface of the desired mineral particles, making them hydrophobic (water-repelling).

Air is then introduced into the slurry, typically by bubbling or agitation. The hydrophobic mineral particles adhere to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, forming a froth. This froth, containing the concentrated mineral, is then skimmed off. Gangue minerals, which are not made hydrophobic by the reagents, remain dispersed in the slurry and are discarded. Various types of flotation exist, including froth flotation, which is the most common, and dissolved air flotation, often used in water treatment. The choice of reagents and operating conditions is critical for achieving efficient separation and depends heavily on the specific minerals or contaminants being targeted. Flottálás is a vital technology for recovering valuable resources and treating industrial and municipal wastewater.