Mining Institute of Kola Scientific Center of RAS (Apatity, Russia):

Nikitin R. M., Researcher, remnik@yandex.ru
Skorokhodov V. F., Leading Researcher, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, skorohodov@goi.kolasc.net.ru
Biryukov V. V., Researcher, birukov@goi.kolasc.net.ru
Kitaeva A. S., Junior Researcher, 1990nuta2008@rambler.ru

The use of heteropolar surfactants in the form of activated air dispersions in water (AADW) in minerals flotation implies the formation of adsorption layers on the surfaces of air bubbles. An algorithm is proposed for estimating the dependence of the specific area and thickness of the adsorption layer of a heteropolar surfactant at the gasliquid interface in an activated air dispersion in water on the type and concentration of surfactants. This algorithm allows taking into account the statistical values of the dimensions and shapes of the bubbles and determining the values of the constants for the single-valued conditions of interactions between the gaseous and liquid phases in flotation simulations as part of computational experiments. The algorithm may be used for research and production purposes for obtaining information on the relationship between various AADW preparation methods and respective flotation results.Using the algorithm, empirical dependences were obtained between the specific area and thickness of the adsorption layer formed in the preparation of AADW and the concentration of such reagents as distilled tall oil soap, TOFA, sodium dibutyldithiophosphate and oleic acid. It is shown that an increase in the reagent concentration within the concentration range studied does not lead to the achievement of the maximum adsorption values, which enables control over the characteristics of AADW at the preparation stage. It is also demonstrated that AADW preparation conditions largely predetermine the air flow dispersion and slurry aeration rates, which depend on the activity of the reagent used.

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