Investigation of Flotation Bubbles Movement Behavior under the Influence of an Immersed Ultrasonic Vibration Plate

Ultrasonic flotation is widely used as an efficient mineral separation method. Its efficiency is related to the adhesion behavior between fine particles and flotation bubbles, which can be influenced by the bubbles’ movement behavior. This paper used two immersed ultrasonic vibration plates to generate ultrasonic action and investigated the effect of ultrasonic action on the rising process of flotation bubbles. The distribution, aggregation and fusion, velocity, and other characteristics of bubbles generated by different needle apertures were studied by experimental and simulation methods. The results showed that a 0.4 mm needle produced bubbles that were more evenly spaced and more uniform in size and shape. The ultrasonic action can make the bubbles aggregate together and reduce the bubble rise velocity, as well as prolong their time in the flotation process at the same time. It is beneficial to the sufficient collision and adhesion behavior between flotation bubbles and particles, eventually improving the efficiency of mineral flotation.