ADSORPTION OF COLLECTOR COLLOIDS IN THE FLOTATION OF ALKALI-HALIDE PARTICLES

On the basis of nonequilibrium electrophoretic mobility measurements by laser-Doppler electro-phoresis, the sign of the surface charge of alkali halides in their saturated brines has been established. The results are generally as expected from simplified lattice ion hydration theory. This recent electro-kinetic information coupled with the stability and prevalence of collector colloids in such soluble-salt flotation systems suggests that the selective flotation of alkali halides is due to the adsorption of oppositely charged collector colloids by heterocoagulation. Experimental flotation results confirm this surface charge/collector colloid adsorption model and are presented herein.