Flotation

Flotation
Points : Flotation, Definition Definition The flotation process of separating the gangue form the ore, probably the most used method in extractive metallurgy, mainly uses water as the floatation medium. Chemicals are added to the water to act as either collectors or for others. The ground mineral is placed in the floatation cell and air is injected through the water.
The air, wind the frothing element, creates air bubbles, which have an oil coating resulting from the collector chemical. The bubbles attach themselves to the ore and float it to the surface. The ore-carrying air bubbles then are forced out of the floatation cell.

The apparatus that injects the air into the floatation cell rotates at high speed, further mixing the water. The gangue, wetted by the water, becomes heavy and sinks to the bottom of the cell, while the ore attached to the oil coated air bubbles rises to the surface to be processed further. The surface area of the air bubbles determines the amount of ore that each bubble can pick up. Groups of small bubbles have a large surface area than do large bubbles, making it possible for the small bubbles to remove more ore.