The fundamentals of metals recycling by flotation or flotation-related methods

摘要

There are only few studies discussing the complexsurface chemistry and kinetic aspects of flotation of fine andultra fine metal particles from aqueous suspensions. In mostpractical environments the behaviour of metal particles, as wellas their response to flotation are highly dependent on thechemical nature, structure, solubility, thickness, etc. of the solidmetal compounds, which are formed at the metal/environmentinterfaces, and on the adsorption of surfactants or other ions andmolecules. These phenomena can be deduced, understood anddescribed based on the combination of thermodynamic,electrokinetic and flotation kinetic approaches. The paperpresents the results of a systematic experimental programme onthe fundamental investigating Al, Cu and Pb particles flotabilityusing thermodynamic and electrokinetic techniques, as well as flotability tests.