pärlflotatsioon

Pärlflotatsioon, also known as flotation or froth flotation, is a widely used industrial process for separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic ones. It is particularly effective for concentrating valuable minerals from low-grade ores and for de-inking recycled paper. The core principle relies on the difference in surface properties of the particles.

In a typical pärlflotatsioon process, finely ground ore or pulp is mixed with water and specific chemical reagents. These reagents include collectors, which selectively attach to the surface of the desired mineral, making it hydrophobic, and frothers, which stabilize air bubbles introduced into the mixture. Air is then bubbled through the slurry. The hydrophobic mineral particles, coated by the collector, adhere to the air bubbles and rise to the surface, forming a froth. This froth, rich in the desired mineral, is then skimmed off. Unwanted hydrophilic minerals remain suspended in the water and are discharged as tailings.

The effectiveness of pärlflotatsioon depends on careful control of variables such as pH, reagent dosage, air flow rate, and particle size. Variations of the process exist, including column flotation and Jameson flotation, which offer advantages in specific applications. Pärlflotatsioon is a cornerstone of the mining industry, enabling the economic recovery of minerals like copper, lead, zinc, and coal, and plays a significant role in environmental applications like wastewater treatment and resource recovery.