Flotation

Name:
Flotation
Detailed information:
A method of separating minerals from waste rock or solids of different kinds by agitating the pulverized mixture of solids with water, oil, and special chemicals that cause preferential wetting of solid particles of certain types by the oil, while other kinds are not wet. The unwetted particles are carried to the surface by the air bubbles and thus separated from the wetted particles. A frothing agent is also used to stabilize the bubbles in the form of a froth that can be easily separated from the body of the liquid (froth flotation). Do not confuse with floatation.