froth floation

[lakshmi]

in froath floatation process of concentrating the sulphide ore how is froath containing sulphide ore broken by adding dilute acid what is the actual reaction

[maverick280857]

Please refer to this site first: http://home.att.net/~cat6a/metals-IX.htm

I quote now, from http://www.citycollegiate.com/IX_copper.htm

"Finely divided CuFeS2 is concentrated by "Froth-floatation method". Crushed ore is suspended in water containing pine oil. A blast of air is passed through the suspension. The particles of ore get wetted by oil and floats as a froth which is skimmed. The gangue sink to the bottom."

And as far as I can recall, I never encountered an addition of nitric acid (or for that matter any acid) to the froth floatation mixture (containing pine oil and the crushed ore suspended in water).

Please clarify...

Cheers
Vivek