Adsorption Kinetics of Various Frothers on Rising Bubbles of Different Sizes under Flotation Conditions

This paper studies the effect of type and concentration selected frothers, gas flowrate, pore size porous frit on bubble sizes (Sauter mean diameter, SMD) bubbling flow produced in a micro-flotation cell, determination distribution (BSD) presence frothers. The commercial frothers polypropylene glycols (PPG 200, 400, 600), tri propylene glycol (BTPG), triethylene (BTEG), dipropylene (BDPG), Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) were used present investigation. frother varied from 1 to 1000 ppm. rate range 25 100 cm3/min. as 10–16 μm, 16–40 40–100 μm. Each exhibited its own unique ability preventing coalescence bubbles order BTEG < BDPG PPG 200 MIBC BTPG 400 600. factorial experiments established that have major bubbles. decreased twice their when was increased ppm is significant factor well. can be reduced about 10% 40% by decreasing pores μm but level this decrease depends frother. increase flowrate cm3/min smaller 25% 50% for case BTEG, BDPG, MIBC, BTPG, while minimum reached 600, beyond which enlarged size. BSD 600 around 0.3 mm, whereas gave wider indicated affected production. Our analysis shows first group adsorbs instantly bubbles, once they leave frit, thus reaching equilibrium. adsorb significantly slower possibly not equilibrium during resident time.