Procedure for Combining Collectors Toward Their Synergetic Effect Production in Flotation

It is found that synergism of combination of anionic and nonionic surfactants in reduction of surface tension is connected with their synergetic effect in flotation. These effects have the same nature. The proposed hypothesis of synergism in flotation is based on the mechanism of physisorption of a collector in particle–bubble attachment. The conformity of mole concentrations of surfactants and maximal extraction of useful component to concentrate is experimentally proved. The causes of possible lack of the synergetic effect generated by cationic and anionic collectors in flotation when this effect is observed in reduction of surface tension are discussed. It is found to be necessary to take into account the interaction energy of a collector, mineral and an ambient. The analysis of change in wettability of minerals due to reagents can involve an approach using the Lifshitz theory of Van der Waals force and the acid–base interaction of contact objects. The findings can be used to develop procedures for selecting collectors and efficient reagent modes for mineral flotation.