FOAM FLOTATION OF ZEOLITES - APPLICATION FOR ZINC ION REMOVAL

In this paper the solid/liquid separation of a NaY zeolite, a known cation exchanger, was investigated in the laboratory by foam flotation from aqueous suspensions. The main parameters affecting the process in batch experiments, such as the pH of the suspension, the type of collector, the cationic collector concentration, the zeolite concentration, and the ionic strength were examined. The optimum conditions for removal (flotation) of more than 95% of the zeolite were determined. Following flotation of the zeolite in the Na form, zinc ions were chosen to serve as an application for ion exchange by the zeolite (for metal recovery), followed by foam floatation of the exchanged form of the zeolite from solution.