Ni-DETA flotation in aqueous media: application of flotation columns

It is studied the separation of nickel ions complexed with polyamines (Diet hylentriamine: BETA, NH2-CH2-CH2-NH-CH2-NH2) of aqueous solutions, by means of froth flotation, using a completely equipped and automatized flotation columns of the laboratory. The mean size of the bubbles in the liquid-air d ispersion was determined by means of the pulling analysis in the system, in order to estimate the flow density of the bubbles (S-b, s(-1)) in the proc ess. The flotation kinetic constant of the complexed nickel species was determin ed considering the different times of the liquid stay in he column. The results of the experimental measures showed that the separation of aque ous Ni-DETA species can be done by flotation using flotation columns. The s eparation increases with the presence of the collector. In this study, Ni-D ETA recuperations of the 80% in the concentrate were observed.