Effects of sodium oleate surface properties on the characteristics of two-phase foam in froth flotation

Abstract

Aiming at the problem that the active agent foam is too stable during the flotation process, the experiments of the surface tension, surface viscoelasticity and gas-liquid two-phase foam performance of sodium oleate were carried out under the conditions of different concentrations, pH and temperature. The aim is to explain the changes in macroscopic blistering phenomena by changes in microscopic surface properties. The results show that concentration, pH and temperature all affected the foam properties of sodium oleate. When the sodium oleate solution is 10−3 mol/L (cmc), the foam stability is the best. The foam is most stable at pH of around 8.5. Temperature has a significant effect on the foaming property of sodium oleate, the foaming ability of sodium oleate is weak at a low temperature, while sodium oleate is unstable at high or low temperature. The lower the surface tension of the sodium oleate solution, the stronger the foaming performance; and the higher the expansion modulus, the more stable the foam. This study serves as a guide to control the parameters of sodium oleate flotation system and the optimal stabilisation of foam.