What is froth flotation in mining?

For example, froth flotation is a technique commonly used in the mining industry. In this technique, particles of interest are physically separated from a liquid phase as a result of differences in the ability of air bubbles to selectively adhere to the surface of the particles, based upon their hydrophobicity.

Why is copper ore has to undergo froth floatation?

The slurry is placed in a tank and a process called froth floatation is used to separate the copper minerals from the gangue. The froth of copper-rich bubbles at the top of the tank is then skimmed off for further processing. The gangue sinks to the bottom of the tank to be removed or disposed of as mine tailings.

How is flotation used in mining?

Flotation, in mineral processing, method used to separate and concentrate ores by altering their surfaces to a hydrophobic or hydrophilic condition—that is, the surfaces are either repelled or attracted by water. Most kinds of minerals require coating with a water repellent to make them float.

Why is froth flotation used in the mining industry?

Froth flotation is a process for selectively separating of hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic. This is used in mineral processing, paper recycling and waste-water treatment industries. The development of froth flotation has improved the recovery of valuable minerals, such as copper- and lead-bearing minerals.

What are the disadvantages of froth flotation?

Two. Disadvantages of froth flotation method

  • Consume the reagent, and easy to cause environmental pollution. In the froth flotation method,the use of flotation reagents plays an important role in the final beneficiation index.
  • Strict grinding size.
  • High cost, many influence factors and high process requirement.

Which principle is used in froth flotation method?

Complete answer: We can discuss the principle behind the froth flotation process as the basic principle of the froth flotation process is that the ore containing the impurities and the mineral are crushed into fine powder and mixed with water.

What is the most common copper ore?

chalcopyrite
Copper and copper ores are commonly found in basaltic rocks, with its most common ore being chalcopyrite (CuFeS2).

Where is the largest copper mine in the world?

Chile
Minera Escondida, located in Antofagasta, Chile, is the world’s largest copper mine, producing almost 5% of the world’s supply of the metal.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of froth flotation?

According to the different surface properties of minerals, the froth flotation method can be used to separate the useful minerals from gangue minerals efficiently by adding flotation reagents, whose separation efficiency is obviously higher than that of other mineral processing technologies, especially, it is …

Which oil is used in froth flotation process?

pine oil
So, the oil used as a frothing agent in the Froth flotation process is pine oil. Therefore option (D) pine oil is correct. Note: Froth floatation is mainly used for sulphide ores.

Which ore is best concentrated by froth flotation method?

galena ore
As the galena ore contains sulphide group, therefore galena is best concentrated by the froth flotation method.

What is froth flotation process explain with an example?

Principle: The principle of froth floatation is that sulphide ores are preferentially wetted by pine oil, whereas the gangue particles are wetted by water. Example: For an ore containing ZnS and PbS, the depressant used is NaCN. It selectively prevents ZnS from coming to froth but allows PbS to come with the froth.

How did froth flotation contribute to the development of milling?

The copper concentrate from a copper lead zinc flotation circuit. Froth flotation, as pointed out previously, was a part of the evolution of milling during the first quarter of the 20th century—a period during which the progress of milling was greater than in all of its previous history.

How is flotation research done in the mining industry?

Flotation research was done by ‘cut and try’ and empirical methods. The mining industry had no well equipped research laboratories manned by scientific teams. The copper concentrate from a copper lead zinc flotation circuit.

What are the different types of flotation machines?

Flotation can be performed by different types of machines, in rectangular or cylindrical mechanically agitated cells or tanks, columns, a Jameson Flotation Cell or deinking flotation machines.

How is activated zinc used in the flotation process?

In the eyes of the Collector, activated Zinc is Copper. Think of CuSO4 as epoxy primer on raw metal before you paint it. pH Modifiers (MBS , Lime) are used to intensify or reduce collector’s water-repellent effect on mineral surfaces. This allows Flotation Collectors to act selectively towards certain minerals.