On the correlation between froth stability and viscosity in flotation

Abstract Flotation froth plays a key role in determining overall flotation performance. It has been well known that froth transportation has a significant impact on froth performance. Froth transportation is related closely to froth stability and viscosity. Little work has yet been performed in terms of investigating the relationship between froth stability and viscosity to better predict froth performance. In this work, the correlation between froth stability and viscosity was experimentally studied, for the first time, by conducting flotation tests in a 5 cm diameter flotation column operated in a continuous mode. Pure silica of two different particle size distributions was used as the model material. Solids concentration in the feed and the dosage of sodium oleate (NaOL) were varied to change froth behaviors. A negative correlation between froth stability and froth viscosity was observed in this study. The underlying mechanisms were discussed.