Surfactant-colligend particle size effects on ion flotation: Influences of mixing time, temperature, and surfactant chain length

The ion flotation of Cr(VI) from 0.926 x 10^-3 M aqueous suspensions at pH 4.1 is related to particle size distribution data, obtained by filtration of the surfactant-Cr(VI) suspensions prior to flotation. The effects of surfactant-Cr(VI) mixing (precipitation and aggregation) time and of temperature are established over 10-45 °C, with particle size and flotation generally increasing with temperature. Five, rather high purity, quaternary ammonium surfactants are used, with chain lengths from C₁₀ to C₁₈. The optimum chain length at 13° and 23 °C is C14 and at 33° and 43 °C is C 16. An increase in the molar surfactant/Cr(VI) ratio in the initial suspension improves flotation until values of the ratio of 1.1, 1.2, and 2.2 are exceeded for C₁₆, C₁₈, and C₁₄ surfactants, respectively. The four roles of a surfactant in ion flotation - as a precipitant, as a dispersant (with surface adsorption opposing aggregation), as a collector, and as a frother - are discussed in terms of flotation, particle size distributions, and surface charge measurements.