ADSORPTION OF COLLECTOR COLLOIDS IN THE FLOTATION OF ALKALI-HALIDE PARTICLES

On the basis of nonequilibrium electrophoretic mobility measurements b y laser-Doppler electro-phoresis, the sign of the surface charge of al kali halides in their saturated brines has been established. The resul ts are generally as expected from simplified lattice ion hydration the ory. This recent electro-kinetic information coupled with the stabilit y and prevalence of collector colloids in such soluble-salt flotation systems suggests that the selective flotation of alkali halides is due to the adsorption of oppositely charged collector colloids by heteroc oagulation. Experimental flotation results confirm this surface charge /collector colloid adsorption model and are presented herein.