Question

Give the principles of:

(ii) froth floatation

Answer 1

Froth Floatation

• The main principle of froth floatation is that there is a difference between wettability of the mineral particles and the gangue (impurities in the ore). The mineral particles are wetted by oil while the gangue is wetted by water.
• A mixture is formed which is mixed in water vessel that has jets. These jets cause bubbles of oil to rise, thus separating the mineral particles from the gangue.