The main factors effecting the efficiency of Zn(II) flotation: Optimum conditions and separation mechanism.

In this study, the effects of chemical conditions on the recovery of Zn(II) and water during the ion flotation process were evaluated using a central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology. The optimum effective parameters including pH, collector and frother concentration were determined. The results showed that the pH and collector concentration were effective factors for the efficiency of Zn(II) flotation. The effects of collector and frother concentration on the characterization of sublate and the complexation of sodium dodecyl sulphate with Zn(II) were studied using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results show that foam fractionation occurred at a pH of 1.5, 3 and 5.5 and ion flotation at a pH of 8.