INFLUENCE OF N-ALKYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDES ON THE ADHESION OF AIR BUBBLESTO THE FLUORITE SURFACE

The detachment force of air bubbles from the surface of fluorite immer sed in aqueous solutions of decyl-, dodecyl- and tetradecyl ammonium c hloride at different concentrations was measured. Simultaneously, the instantaneous contact angle and the height of the air bubble at the mo ment of detachment were determined. From the results obtained, the wor k of adhesion of an air bubble to the surface of a fluorite grain was evaluated and compared with that determined on the basis of Young's eq uation. Based on the measurements and calculations carried out, the de tachment force was found to depend on the concentration and length of the alkyl chain of the surfactants. A linear relationship between the recovery of fluorite by flotation in the presence of the n-alkylammoni um chloride salts and the detachment force was also found, as well as good agreement between the work of adhesion of an air bubble to the fl uorite determined from the detachment force and from Young's equation.