Organic colloids and their use in flotation

Abstract

A quick glance at scientific papers and articles, practical manuals, textbooks or teaching aids on flotation is enough to draw attention to the unanimous opinion of all authors about the invariably harmful role of organic hydrophilic protective colloids in flotation. All authors agree that organic protective colloids are identical to flotation poisons and have exclusively one function of suppression, depression of all minerals during flotation. At the same time, there are no indications in the literature of work on the study of the flotation properties of organic protective colloids, but quite often there are examples of the successful use of various protective colloids in flotation practice (starch, glue, tannin, soaps, etc.). As a result of this inconsistency, the categorical statements of the cited authors about the harmfulness of protective colloids in flotation become unconvincing and the need arises for a systematic study of the flotation properties of these substances. It is precisely these considerations that prompt the formulation of this work and the appearance of this article, which presents an incomplete summary of the experimental data obtained.