Froth stability and entrainment evaluation of a novel frother for
KCl/NaCl flotation
Abstract
The rate of KCl recovery by froth flotation using low-grade carnallite
is 70–85%. Herein, a novel frother, dipropylene glycol butyl ether
(DPNB), was prepared to increase the flotation efficiency of KCl
recovery systems. DPNB could be applied at only half the dosage of the
conventional frother methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and achieve a KCl
recovery rate of 94.8–98.6% with a high KCl grade (63.2–66.5%). To
date, these results are the best reported for pneumatic flotation. DPNB
had a 10% higher maximum dynamic stability factor compared with of
MIBC; moreover, the apparent entrainment velocity of DPNB was half that
of MIBC. The molecular structure of DPNB had hydroxyl and ether groups,
which promoted interactions with water, thereby contributing to its
excellent froth stability. DPNB is environment friendly owing to its low
volatility and, thus, a promising frother for the green and highly
efficient flotation of KCl/NaCl.