ADSORBING COLLOID FLOTATION OF HEAVY-METAL IONS FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS AT LARGE IONIC-STRENGTH

The electrolyte tolerance of adsorbing colloid flotation of heavy meta l ions (Cd, Ph, Zn, Cr, and Cu) from wastewater with flee of iron(III) hydroxide is improved significantly when a mixture of sodium oleate a nd sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is used as the collector and frother, relative to the tolerance with SDS alone. The electrolyte tolerance is also improved using Mg(II) as the activator. The applicability of ads orbing colloid flotation to remove heavy metals from wastewater is thu s greatly extended.