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What is Froth Floatation and how is it used in extraction and refining?

The Froth Floatation method is a method used for the concentration of metal ores. It is used for the concentration of sulphide ores. 

In this method, water is added to powdered ore. To this, substances called collectors (such as pine oil ) are added so that the ore particles can be separated from the gangue particles. The ore particles become wet by oil while the gangue particles become wet by water. Air is blown in through a pipe and a rotating paddle agitates this mixture. This forms froth. The froth, being lighter, carries with it the ore particles and is separated from gangue. So, the ore particles float above water. The froth is then skimmed off, leaving behind the gangue. It is dried and metal is thus obtained.

 

The concentrated ore is then used for the next steps, extraction and refining.

 

 

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Froth Floatation

This method employs a mixture of water and pine oil which is made to froth in a tank to separate sulphide ores. The differences in the wetting properties of the ore and gangue particles separate them.

experimental setup showing forth floatation process

A mixture of water, pine oil, detergent and powdered ore is first taken in a tank. A blast of compressed air is blown through the pipe of a rotating agitator to produce froth. The sulphide ore particles are wetted and coated by pine oil and rise up along with the froth (froth being lighter). The gangue particles wetted by water sink to the bottom of the tank (water being heavier). Sulphide being more electronegative attracts the covalent oil molecules. The gangue being less electronegative is attracted by the water. The froth containing the sulphide ore is transferred to another container, washed, and dried.

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