Flotation of Chalcopyrite Fine Particles in the Presence of Hydrodynamic Cavitation Nanobybbles

In this paper, the effect of presence of nano-microbubbles on flotation recovery of chalcopyrite fine particles (-38+5µm) has been studied. Comparative flotation tests were performed both in the presence and absence of nano-microbubbles (conventional flotation) to evaluate recovery changes of chalcopyrite. Methyl IsoButyl Carbinol (MIBC) was used as frother and Potassium Amyl Xanthate (KAX) as collector at pH= 10. Nano-microbubbles were generated using a nano-microbubble generator based on cavitation phenomenon in venturi tubes. Changes in size distribution, zeta potential and stability of nano-microbubbles were measured as a function of time. Results showed that the interval between generation time and 10 minutes after that, simultaneous with reduction of the absolute value of zeta potential increased the average size of nano-microbubbles from 358 nm to 13.24 μm. The results in the presence of nano-microbubbles showed increased flotation recovery of chalcopyrite fines by 16-21% and reduction of chemicals reagent (up to 75% of collector and 50% of frother). In addition, the effect of nano-microbubbles on promoting the recovery of ultrafine particles (-14.36+5 μm), has been higher than fine particles (+14.36-38 μm).