Influence of the amount of collector on ion flotation of niobium

Flotation methods based on chemical interaction of the metal ion to be extracted (colligend) with an oppositely charged surfactant ion (collector) are now attracting attention increasingly in purification of wastewaters. Extraction of small amounts of metals by flotation from industrial wastes provides solutions of problems associated with prevention of pollution of natural water supplies by toxic pollutants, and also with concentration of valuable elements for subsequent utilization. Niobium is one such metal, extraction of which from aqueous solutions is of considerable interest. The results of an experimental study of the influence of the amount of flotation reagent on ion flotation of niobates are discussed in this paper