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Minerals
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Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process
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Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 November 2025 | Viewed by 4002

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guichao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency and Clean Mechanical Manufacture, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Interests: flotation; turbulence effects; bubble–particle collision
Dr. Xiangning Bu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization (Ministry of Education), China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: flotation kinetics; nanobubble; ultrasound cavitation; flotation kinetics; emulsified oily collectors; recycling of spent LIBs
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interaction between particles and bubbles serves as the foundation for the successful implementation of froth flotation in mineral or coal beneficiation. These interactions are intricate physiochemical processes rooted in surface science and hydrodynamics. Initially, the effectiveness of collisions between particles and bubbles hinges on the fluid dynamics within the flow field. After this collision, the hydration film between them diminishes and breaks, giving rise to the rapid formation of a three-phase contact perimeter that swiftly stabilizes. At this juncture, particles adhere to the bubble surface, forming mineralized bubbles. As mineralized bubbles ascend to create a froth zone, the turbulent milieu of the slurry and occurrences like bubble coalescence or rupture may lead to the detachment of particles from the bubble surface.

Advancements in research continually enhance our comprehension of particle–bubble interactions. The swift evolution of testing techniques, such as 3D Particle Image Velocimetry (3D PIV), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Surface Force Apparatus (SFA), applied in flotation studies has enabled a transition from a macroscopic to a micro-nanoscale examination of these interactions. Furthermore, the utilization of high-speed imaging technology and simulation methods, while considering fluid dynamics, particle properties (size, hydrophobicity, shape, surface roughness, etc.), and bubble properties (size, type, stability), has enabled a deeper understanding of collision, attachment, and detachment phenomena.

Dr. Guichao Wang
Dr. Xiangning Bu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • flotation
  • turbulence effects
  • bubble–particle collision
  • attachment
  • detachment

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2377 KB  
Article
Dependence of Bubble Size on Magnesite Flotation Recovery Using Sodium Oleate (NaOL) with Different Frothers
by Khandjamts Batjargal, Onur Güven, Orhan Ozdemir, Feridun Boylu and Mehmet Sabri Çelik
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080849 - 9 Aug 2025
Viewed by 298
Abstract
Developments of new research tools in flotation studies, including bubble–particle attachment time efficiency and dynamic froth analysis, can help improve our understanding of particle–bubble interactions in flotation processes. In particular, the selection of new collectors and frothers, and their mixtures can provide a [...] Read more.
Developments of new research tools in flotation studies, including bubble–particle attachment time efficiency and dynamic froth analysis, can help improve our understanding of particle–bubble interactions in flotation processes. In particular, the selection of new collectors and frothers, and their mixtures can provide a wide distribution of bubble sizes at their respective concentrations. In the literature, several studies have reported the effect of different frothers and collector mixtures on bubble characteristics like bubble size and critical coalescence concentration (CCC). The general trend obtained from these studies showed that the addition of frothers, along with collectors, which also act as frothers during flotation, resulted in finer bubbles and required lower concentrations of frothers, which in turn positively affected the flotation recoveries. In this study, an attempt was made to study fine-sized magnesite in the presence of sodium oleate (NaOL) and five different types of frothers (PPG600, PPG400, BTPG, BDPG, and MIBC). Bubble–particle attachment time with different sized capillary tubes and dynamic froth analysis values in a liquid–air system, along with flotation recoveries in a micro-flotation cell, were interpreted to show possible correlations and provide an optimum bubble/particle size ratio in the presence of different frothers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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12 pages, 1502 KB  
Article
A Study on the Beneficiation of Very Fine Particle Rutile Ore Using Flotation
by Oyku Bilgin and Ilhan Ehsani
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080838 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
This study investigates the beneficiation of finely grinded rutile ore utilizing a combination of flocculation and flotation methods. Rutile, a Ti-bearing mineral with industrial significance, is often associated with heavy minerals found in coastal and metamorphic environments. A rutile ore sample from Azıtepe [...] Read more.
This study investigates the beneficiation of finely grinded rutile ore utilizing a combination of flocculation and flotation methods. Rutile, a Ti-bearing mineral with industrial significance, is often associated with heavy minerals found in coastal and metamorphic environments. A rutile ore sample from Azıtepe (Alaşehir, Türkiye) was reduced to −63 µm and enriched under varying pH conditions (2.5–12) using different reagent combinations and was used for our investigation of both flocculation and flotation processes using reagents such as Aero801(SIPX), Aero825, tannic acid (TA), and pomace oil. The best results were achieved at pH: 8 using Aero801(SIPX) and pomace oil during flocculation, and Aero801(SIPX), Aero825, and Aerofroth88 during flotation, yielding a concentrate with an 8.99% TiO2 grade and an 89.5% recovery rate. Meanwhile, a 7.00% TiO2 grade concentrate was obtained with a recovery rate of 71.92% at neutral pH. This study found that pH and reagent selection had an important effect on TiO2 enrichment efficiency in fine size, low-grade rutile ores. Future research is recommended to investigate selective depressants and multi-stage cleaning to improve separation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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36 pages, 10414 KB  
Article
Forces During the Film Drainage and Detachment of NMC and Spherical Graphite in Particle–Bubble Interactions Quantified by CP-AFM and Modeling to Understand the Salt Flotation of Battery Black Mass
by Jan Nicklas, Claudia Heilmann, Lisa Ditscherlein and Urs A. Peuker
Minerals 2025, 15(8), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080809 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 436
Abstract
The salt flotation of graphite in the presence of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) was assessed by performing colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) on sessile gas bubbles and conducting batch flotation tests with model lithium-ion-battery black mass. The modeling of film [...] Read more.
The salt flotation of graphite in the presence of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) was assessed by performing colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) on sessile gas bubbles and conducting batch flotation tests with model lithium-ion-battery black mass. The modeling of film drainage and detachment during particle–bubble interactions provides insight into the fundamental microprocesses during salt flotation, a special variant of froth flotation. The interfacial properties of particles and gas bubbles were tailored with salt solutions containing sodium chloride and sodium acetate buffer. Graphite particles can attach to gas bubbles under all tested conditions in the range pH 3 to pH 10. The attractive forces for spherical graphite are strongest at high salt concentrations and pH 3. The conditions for the attachment of NMC to gas bubbles were evaluated with simulations using the Stokes–Reynolds–Young–Laplace model for film drainage, under consideration of DLVO forces and a hydrodynamic slip to account for irregularities of the particle surface. CP-AFM measurements in the capillary force regime provide additional parameters for the modeling of salt flotation, such as the force and work of detachment. The contact angles of graphite and NMC particles during retraction and detachment from gas bubbles were obtained from a quasi-equilibrium model using CP-AFM data as input. All CP-AFM experiments and theoretical results suggest that pristine NMC particles do not attach to gas bubbles during flotation, which is confirmed by the low rate of NMC recovery in batch flotation tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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12 pages, 1289 KB  
Article
Comparative Study of Particle-Resolved and Point-Particle Simulations of Particle–Bubble Collisions in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence
by Junwen Wang, Jichao Lin, Jianchun Wang, Yongwei Mao, Songying Chen and Guichao Wang
Minerals 2025, 15(4), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15040338 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Bubble–particle collisions in turbulent flows are fundamental to flotation processes, yet their complex dynamics remain challenging to characterize accurately. In this study, a comparison study of a particle–bubble collision system in homogeneous isotropic turbulence was performed using the particle-resolved method and point-particle method. [...] Read more.
Bubble–particle collisions in turbulent flows are fundamental to flotation processes, yet their complex dynamics remain challenging to characterize accurately. In this study, a comparison study of a particle–bubble collision system in homogeneous isotropic turbulence was performed using the particle-resolved method and point-particle method. Direct numerical simulations of turbulent flows were achieved using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The effects of hydrodynamics on the collision particles were compared between Lagrangian tracking and directly resolving the disturbance flows around finite-size solid particles using an interpolated bounce-back scheme. The differences between point-particle and particle-resolved simulations are evaluated, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. These findings enhance the understanding of turbulence-driven bubble–particle interactions and provide guidance for improving the accuracy of flotation modeling and process optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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13 pages, 6469 KB  
Article
An Investigation of the Impact of Altering the Contact Sequence Among Gas, Liquid, and Solid Phases on Mineral Floatability
by Dengfeng Han, Shuaixing Shi, Shuhan Chen, Wentao Hu and Chuanyao Sun
Minerals 2025, 15(3), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15030306 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 427
Abstract
The fundamental processes in flotation involve the collision, adhesion, and detachment between bubbles and mineral particles. The hydration film, which is commonly found on the surface of both particles and bubbles, hinders the effective interaction between the gas, liquid, and solid phases. To [...] Read more.
The fundamental processes in flotation involve the collision, adhesion, and detachment between bubbles and mineral particles. The hydration film, which is commonly found on the surface of both particles and bubbles, hinders the effective interaction between the gas, liquid, and solid phases. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a Reverse Sequence Collision Flotation (RSCF) model, which changes the conventional sequence of gas–liquid–solid interactions. Theoretical analysis reveals that, compared to the traditional flotation process, the proposed model enhances the collision and adhesion between bubbles and mineral particles. Building upon this, preliminary studies were carried out to develop both a single-bubble static reverse sequence collision testing system and a multi-bubble dynamic reverse sequence collision testing system. These systems were used to conduct both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the collision and adhesion effects, thereby confirming the feasibility and separability of the RSCF model. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that mechanical disturbance can be used to adjust the bubble loading, thus creating a new enrichment strategy based on the RSCF model. In conclusion, the RSCF model presents a novel approach to improving flotation efficiency. Future research should focus on optimizing this model and exploring its application potential across different mineral systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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19 pages, 6776 KB  
Article
Atomized Reagent Addition with Synchronized Jet Pre-Mineralization to Enhance the Flotation Process: Study on Atomization Parameters and Mechanisms of Enhancement
by Yongliang Jiang, Chunbao Sun, Peilong Wang and Jue Kou
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1053; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101053 - 20 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1244
Abstract
The atomized reagent and synchronous jet pre-mineralization technology, as a novel method to enhance the flotation process, increases the solubility of fatty acid collectors in pulp through atomized reagent application and improves the mineralization effect and flotation rate via synchronous jet pre-mineralization technology, [...] Read more.
The atomized reagent and synchronous jet pre-mineralization technology, as a novel method to enhance the flotation process, increases the solubility of fatty acid collectors in pulp through atomized reagent application and improves the mineralization effect and flotation rate via synchronous jet pre-mineralization technology, thereby laying a theoretical foundation for the flotation of minerals with fatty acid collectors. Systematic studies on the atomization method, atomization particle size, and flotation experiments revealed that, compared with conventional stirring methods, the atomized reagent method increases the solubility of sodium oleate in pulp from 82.5 mg/L to 142.9 mg/L at 288.15 K. The induction time for quartz particles treated with atomized reagents and bubbles is significantly lower than that of the conventional stirring method. Semi-industrial test results of the atomized reagent and synchronous jet pre-mineralization show that, compared to traditional roughing, the TFe grade increased by 0.87 percentage points, iron recovery increased by 3.95 percentage points, and reagent consumption decreased by 7.5 percentage points. Experimental and test results demonstrate that the atomized reagent and synchronous jet pre-mineralization technology can effectively enhance mineralization, accelerate the flotation rate, improve flotation indices, and reduce reagent consumption to a certain extent, providing significant guidance for the efficient recovery of fine-grained minerals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Particle–Bubble Interactions in the Flotation Process)
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