Role of reactive oily bubble in apatite flotation

Abstract

The effect of fatty acid reactive oily bubble as a carrier in apatite flotation was examined by zeta potential, zeta potential distribution, induction time and micro flotation experiments, and further analyzed by the extended DLVO theory. The surface property of fatty acid reactive oily bubbles is determined by the dissociation degree of fatty acid contained in the oil film covered on reactive oily bubbles. Induction time tests show that the fatty acid reactive oily bubble presents a strong collecting power to apatite particles among pH 4.0–11.2, which is also confirmed by the zeta potential distribution and micro flotation experiments. However, the DLVO theory is fail to predict the coagulation at pH 9.01. A hydrophobic interaction is considered in the coagulation between reactive oil bubbles and apatite particles. The superiority of fatty acid reactive oily bubble system is confirmed and illustrated by the extended DLVO theory successfully.