Behavior of froth in absence and presence of particles

Abstract

This work aims to study the effect of entrained and captured particles on the properties of the froth. It was established that the entrained particles act as froth suppressors, while captured particles act as froth boosters. The average liquid hold up of froths containing entrained particles increases with the increase of the gas flow rate. On the contrary, the froths with mostly captured particles exhibit the opposite dependence. Our study on the liquid hold up on the top of the froth versus the gas flow rate show that the froth with entrained particles increases its liquid hold up on the top until reaching a maximum, beyond which a decrease is observed. Surprisingly, the froth with mostly captured particles shows different behavior – its liquid hold up on the top practically does not depend on the gas flow rate, yet it can be seen at a certain minimal value. Overall, this work reports than entrained and captured particles cause substantiall different and even opposite effects on the froth stability and the liquid hold of the flotation froth.