In froth floatation process the particles of the ore come on the froth...
In froth floatation process, advantage is taken of prefferential wetting of ore particles by oil and gangue particles by water. ... Only sulphide ores are concentrated by froth flotation process because pine oil selectively wets the sulphide ore and hence brings it to the froth.
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In froth floatation process the particles of the ore come on the froth...
Introduction:
Froth flotation is a commonly used method for separating valuable minerals from their ores. It relies on the differences in the surface properties of the particles to be separated. In this process, the ore particles are selectively attached to the froth, which floats to the surface, while the gangue particles remain in the bulk solution.
Explanation:
The particles of the ore come on the froth in froth flotation process due to the following reasons:
1. They become water repellent:
- The first reason is that the particles of the ore become water repellent or hydrophobic when certain chemicals known as collectors are added to the ore slurry.
- These collectors selectively adsorb onto the surface of the mineral particles, altering their surface properties and making them water repellent.
- As a result, when air bubbles are introduced into the flotation cell, they attach to the hydrophobic mineral particles and carry them to the surface, forming a froth.
2. They are light:
- Another reason why the particles of the ore come on the froth is that they are typically lighter than the gangue particles.
- The flotation process takes advantage of the differences in the buoyancy of the particles.
- The mineral particles, being water repellent and lighter, are able to float on the surface of the flotation cell, while the heavier gangue particles sink to the bottom.
- This allows for the separation of the valuable minerals from the gangue.
3. Impurities are more polar nature:
- The statement that impurities are more polar in nature is not correct in the context of froth flotation.
- In fact, impurities can also be hydrophobic and have lower molecular weight, which can contribute to their flotation.
- However, in general, it is the valuable minerals that are targeted for flotation based on their specific properties and economic importance.
Conclusion:
In summary, the particles of the ore come on the froth in froth flotation process because they become water repellent due to the addition of collectors and they are typically lighter than the gangue particles. These factors allow for the selective separation of valuable minerals from the ore.