Thermodynamic and Kinetic Flotation Criteria

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Abstract
Flotation thermodynamics and notation kinetics are discussed and compared with chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. While chemical thermodynamics can predict whether a reaction will take place under a given set of conditions (temperature and pressure), and can also predict the direction in which the equilibrium will be shifted in response to variation in these parameters, flotation thermodynamics can predict how likely it is for the mineral particle and gas bubble to attach in a moment of their collision. While thermodynamics can predict the probability of particle-to-bubble attachment, it cannot predict the rate of this process, for the energy barrier, Gattach, opposing particle-to-bubble attachment, is not interrelated with the free energy change accompanying the attachment The thermodynamic (Δ G < 0) and kinetic (τi; < τc c) flotation criteria are examined by a study of the effect of frothers on flotation. Various hypotheses that explain how the frother can affect flotation rate are discussed with emphasis on unsolved problems.