Flotation Bubble Diameter Measurement and Influencing Factors Analysis

Aiming at the high air content in flotation cell,bubble overlap and deformation,and the bubble merger and burst,a system for bubble diameter measurement in flotation cell was built, its principle and measuring method was introduced. Experiments on the effect of frother dosage and aeration rate on bubble diameter were conducted on a 2L XDF mechanical flotation machine. Results show that,bubble diameter measurement is realized with the new system. And the smallest bubble diameter is measured with the frother dosage at 12. 5μL / L and aeration rate at 0. 1m3/ h,which is 0.32 mm. Bubble diameter is influenced by a combination of frother dosage and aeration rate,and the limiting dosage of 2-Octanol as frother is 12. 5μL / L.