Research Progress on Surface Characteristics of Flotation Foam and its Influence on Mechanical Entrainment of Fine Gangue

Objective Aiming at the problem that fine-grained magnesia-silicate gangue minerals are prone to be mechanically entrained during flotation, which affects the grade of concentrate, this paper provides a reference for the theoretical and technological development of reducing the magnesium content in concentrate from the perspective of the surface properties of bubbles. Method Taking flotation foam as the research object, this paper summarizes the pathways and influencing factors of fine magnesia-silicate gangue minerals carried by foam during the flotation process of metal sulfide ores, analyzes the bubble size, surface tension, surface ζ potential and the electrostatic interaction with fine gangue, as well as the current methods for solving gangue entraination. Result The influence of the properties of flotation foam on the entrainment of gangue minerals was systematically introduced mainly from the perspective of the surface properties of bubbles, such as bubble size, surface force and surface electrical properties. Conclusion The current detection methods are still difficult to clearly express the force and charged state on the bubble surface. In the future, in-depth research is needed on the influence of multi-component and complex surfactants on the changes in bubble surface properties.