ABSTRACT
Surfactants with a large variety of polar and nonpolar groups are available for flotation and they can be classified based on their function and on their chemical composition. Surfactants whose primary role is to provide the required stability to the top froth layer in the flotation cell and to influence the kinetics of particle-bubble attachment are referred to as frothers. The chapter discusses these surfactants with emphasis on the mechanisms by which they act in various flotation processes. The flotation process utilizes the differences in the surface properties of the particulates, normally with the addition of reagents to achieve the separation. A large number of surfactants and auxiliary reagents are used in flotation process depending on the properties of the particles to be processed and the ultimate aim of the process. Flotation is an important separation technique today, with its applications ranging from selective separation of minerals to microorganisms and even ions.
