An Investigation of the Impact of Altering the Contact Sequence Among Gas, Liquid, and Solid Phases on Mineral Floatability

The fundamental processes in flotation involve the collision, adhesion, and detachment between bubbles and mineral particles. The hydration film, which is commonly found on the surface of both particles and bubbles, hinders the effective interaction between the gas, liquid, and solid phases. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a Reverse Sequence Collision Flotation (RSCF) model, which changes the conventional sequence of gas–liquid–solid interactions. Theoretical analysis reveals that, compared to the traditional flotation process, the proposed model enhances the collision and adhesion between bubbles and mineral particles. Building upon this, preliminary studies were carried out to develop both a single-bubble static reverse sequence collision testing system and a multi-bubble dynamic reverse sequence collision testing system. These systems were used to conduct both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the collision and adhesion effects, thereby confirming the feasibility and separability of the RSCF model. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that mechanical disturbance can be used to adjust the bubble loading, thus creating a new enrichment strategy based on the RSCF model. In conclusion, the RSCF model presents a novel approach to improving flotation efficiency. Future research should focus on optimizing this model and exploring its application potential across different mineral systems.