Research Information System
XVIth International Mineral Processing Symposium, Antalya, Turkey, 23 - 25 October 2018, pp.377-381
Morphological parameters like shape and roughness are effective on both particle-bubble and particleparticle interactions which consequently determine the extent of flotation recoveries. In this study, dry
grinding of barite in a ceramic ball mill was utilized to obtain barite particles in different shape and
roughness degree. Morphological variations of barite samples were then investigated in detail as a
function of grinding time along with their flotation recoveries. Flotation tests were conducted in
barite/Sodium Dodecylsulfate (SDS) system. The roundness and roughness of particles varied from
0.750 to 0.773 and 2.1 to 3.2 µm, respectively as a function of grinding time while their flotation
recovery varied from 10.3 % to 56.4 %. These results clearly showed the significance of morphology in
flotation systems. In this context, while higher flotation recoveries were obtained for angular and
rougher particles, lower recoveries were obtained in the presence of more round and smooth particles.
Flotation recoveries vs. particle shape were also found to strongly depend on the level of hydrophobicity.
The results are elaborated in the light of these findings.