Colloidal precipitation floatation of bismuth

Abstract

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:arial;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:="" en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">A method is described for complete separation of bismuth (III) from aqueous solutions as colloidal sulphide precipitate using sodium sulphide as a precipitant and oleic acid as a surfactant. Hydrogen ion concentration appears to be an important factor affecting the floatation process. At <i>p</i>H 1.0 bismuth (III) was completely floated. The floatation of bismuth (III) was successful in the presence of some foreign ions. It was found that, the order of the additive reagents and the temperatures markedly affect the floatability. Moreover, ionic strength has no appreciable effect on the floatation efficiency. A suggested mechanism for the floatation process has been proposed.</span>