Investigation Advances on Regulation and Mechanism of Microbubbles in Flotation

As the carrier in the flotation process, bubble motion features have a significant impact on the flotation efficiency. The regulation of bubble characteristics is an effective method to enhance the flotation process. In recent years, microbubble flotation has received extensive attention. This paper reviews the advance of microbubble flotation from microbubble generation, microbubble features regulation and mineralization mechanism. The foaming principles and applications of jet foaming, microporous medium foaming, dissolved gas foaming, ultrasound foaming and electrolysis foaming are introduced. The regulation mechanism of microbubble size is analyzed from surfactants, electrolytes and energy input. The regulation mechanism of microbubble movement characteristics is discussed based on the bubble shape and rising velocity. Interaction mechanism of particles and microbubbles is fully analyzed from particle-bubble collision, attachment and detachment. Finally, the development of microbubble regulation and action mechanism is prospected.