A Hybrid Device for Enhancing Flotation of Fine Particles by Combining Micro-Bubbles with Conventional Bubbles

Flotation in the mining industry is a very significant separation technique. It known that fine and ultra-fine particles are difficult to float, leading losses of valuable minerals, mainly due their low collision efficiency with bubbles. can be enhanced either by increasing apparent particle size or decreasing bubble size. Literature review reveals electroflotation resulted higher recoveries ultrafine as compared dispersed-air flotation, because electrolytic bubbles smaller To this end, best practical approach combine conventional air micro-bubbles from water electrolysis. Therefore, design, fabrication, operation bench-scale micro-bubble generator through electrolysis proposed. Moreover, unit adapted mechanical Denver-type flotation cell. The resulting hybrid device capable producing within wide range diameters. significance process micro-bubbles, attached tothe surface particles, facilitate attachment conventional-sized subsequently increase recovery particles. Experimental results so far on indicate enhancement approximately 10% addition micro-bubbles.