Question

Why pine oil Is used In froth floatation process?

Answer 1

Pine Oil:

1. Pine oils are a combination of terpene alcohols obtained through steam distillation of pine wood. Small levels of phenol derivatives may be present in pine oil-based substances.
2. Pine oil is found in disinfectant cleaners in concentrations ranging from 0.3 per cent to 60%. Many "pine oil" cleansers on the market in the United States are pine-scented but contain little or no actual pine oil, thus reading the label on pine-scented cleaners is critical.

Reason for Pine Oil Is Used In Froth Floatation Process:

1. As we all know, froth flotation is particularly useful for sulphide ores like galena (PbS), zinc blende (ZnS), and copper pyrites ($CuFe{S}_2$). It's based on the differing wetting characteristics of ore and gangue particle surfaces.
2. Oil wets sulphide ore particles preferentially, while water wets gangue particles. The finely powdered ore is combined with either pine or eucalyptus oil in this process. After that, it's combined with water.
3. A large amount of air is blown through the mixture. In this process, froth is created, which transports the wetted ore upwards. Impurities (gangue particles) are left in the water and descend to the bottom, where they are removed.
4. The oil's job is to make foam (or froth) out of air. Xanthates, fatty acids containing sulphide ores, are another foaming agent. Because it has no affinity for water (due to the hydrophobic molecules in its ingredients), this oil works as a hydrophobic agent and forms froth with hydrophobic impurities, attracting impurities that may be washed away, leaving behind the concentrated mineral.
5. As a result, pine oil is utilised in froth flotation processes to purify sulphide ores, removing debris and leaving the cleaned ores behind.