Quantifying entrapment in selective flocculation-flotation: Model and measurement method

Abstract

Selective flocculation-flotation enhances ultrafine particle recovery but is limited by gangue entrapment, reducing grade. This study aims to develop a method for quantifying the entrapment factor (ENP) in flocculation-flotation within mechanical flotation cells. Synthetic powders of ≈ 1 μm hematite and quartz were used, with sodium hexametaphosphate as the dispersant, anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) as the selective flocculant for hematite, and sodium oleate as the collector. This approach for calculating the ENP requires three flotation datasets: one without flocculant to determine the degree of gangue entrainment, one without collector to measure the unaggregated valuable minerals that do n..