Uncoupling the inherent bubble-liquid hydrodynamics of conventional ion flotation using reflux flotation

For decades the rate limiting step in ion flotation has been the relatively low and highly constrained bubble-liquid segregation rates in the upper foam zone and lower bubbly zones. This has limited the uptake of the technology across a variety of industries. The constraint arises due to the hydrodynamic inter-relationship between process variables (i.e. bubble size, gas flux and feed flux) restricting the throughput rate per unit vessel area. This work investigates the application of Reflux Flotation to ion flotation in order to increase the throughput rate, while maintaining the recovery and enrichment of a common surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Reflux Flotation, a recent innovation, applies the Boycott Effect through an arrangement of inclined channels to uncouple the inherent hydrodynamics found in one dimensional flow between a dispersed gas phase and continuous liquid phase.