Effect of the hydrophobic fraction and particle size in the collectorless column flotation kinetics

Abstract

In order to investigate the particle size effect of a highly hydrophobic mineral (talc), different size fractions were floated in a column flotation cell to obtain the effect of flotation-rate constants (k) on the kinetics of flotation. Pure talc (100% talc or hydrophobic fraction) gave the highest recovery (97.5%) for particles below 38 mu m. As the particle size fractions became coarser, the maximum recoveries as well as the flotation rate constants (k) decreased. The talc mineral containing different fractions of calcite (which is a highly hydrophilic mineral) when no chemicals were used gave the highest recovery (57.4%) when the fraction of talc was highest (75% talc +25% calcite). The lowest recovery obtained was 5.6%, when 100% calcite was present. The flotation rate constants decreased as hydrophilic fractions were increased. This paper presents the data and describes the approach used in the kinetics of column-flotation experiments.