Relationship between surface roughness of minerals and their flotation kinetics

Abstract

Surface roughness is due to fluctuations around a surface solid which plays vital role in subsequent processes. Grinding by different mills causes main changes in surface roughness of particles, which these changes are very important for their flotation. In this study, surface roughness of quartz particles is determined with measuring of specific surface area of particles. The wettability characteristics of particles with different surface roughness were determined by measuring of flotation rate using the laboratory flotation cell. Results have shown that flotation rate of particles increases with increasing in surface roughness of particles, but this relationship is non linear. Finally, an empirical relationship between surface roughness (λ) and flotation kinetics constant (k) of particles such as k = a + bλ0.5 (ln(λ)) + cλ0.5 + dln(λ)/(λ2), has been determined, that a, b, c and d are constants related to experimental conditions and mineralogical properties of mineral.