Aerosol collector addition in flotation – evaluation of delivery options

Abstract

In conventional flotation systems, the collector is adsorbed onto mineral particles from the aqueous phase at the solid/liquid interface. Aerosol collector addition is a concept whereby collector molecules are introduced to mineral surfaces via the surfaces of bubbles or the solid/gas interface. Several studies have demonstrated this concept, ranging from the analysis of ideal mineral surfaces to laboratory-scale flotation of complex water systems. However, the physical addition of a collector to the surfaces of bubbles is not a common process and has no uniform methodology. If aerosol collector addition is to be studied as a viable reagent addition technique, it becomes necessary to develop and test appropriate methods that could be replicated across several different studies. This work examines two aerosol addition methods: a conventional Venturi-style gas liquid nozzle, as well as a purpose-built atomiser developed for use in pharmacological applications. Both were compared to a standard “upfront conditioning” batch dosage method and were found to be safe, simple to use and produced comparable flotation outcomes.