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CHAPTER 8

8. HYDROPHOBIC FLOCCULATION AND HYDROPHOBIC AGGREGATION SEPARATION (HAS)

8.1. INTRODUCTION Aggregation phenomena accompanied by the hydrophobization of particles immersed in water are often observed throughout daily life in addition to industrial practice. As early as the 1930s Gaudin and Malozemoff (1933), and Mitrofanov and Arashkevich (1936) reported independently that a close relationship might exist between floatability of mineral particles and their flocculation behavior. However, since this time studies were mainly focused on relating flotation with electrolyte coagulation. Rebinder (1950) emphasized the origin of hydrophobic flocculation. This was expressed by ".... making particles hydrophobic results in the appearance of a final contact angle and formation of large and loose floes" and "essentially, no link exists between the electrolyte coagulation and the hydrophobicity of mineral particles" He found that there was a relationship between contact angle, floatability and flocculation of galena at various ethylxanthate concentrations (Fig. 8.1). Similar behavior was reported for malachite. On studying the aggregation of colloidal alumina dispersions induced by adsorption of surfactant, Somasundaran et al. (1966) suggested that it was possible for particles with high surface coverage of adsorbed surfactant to aggregate to further reduce their surface energy. Essentially, a bridging mechanism was suggested. Cecil (1967) observed that there existed a hydrophobic interaction force between glass beads covered by siliconbichloride. Pchelin (1972) and then Berger (1978; 1979; 1980; 1981) discussed the origin of hydrophobic flocculation from the point of view of hydrophobic interaction. Pchelin pointed out that interaction between hydrophobic particles, such as Teflon or graphite, is an endothermic process, and the structure change of vicinal water may play an important role. Later, the concept of "shear flocculation' was put forward by Warren (1975; 1981). Two essential factors of shear flocculation were emphasized. These were (i) the input of high shear field produced by intensive agitation and (ii) addition of surfactant. He indicated that the flocculation of particles was caused by the energy of hydrophobic association, which is much higher in absolute value than other interaction energies. Systematic studies were carried out by Jaminskii et al. (1982) concerning the aggregation of particles and the adhesion forces between them.