Systematic investigations of foam separation of nickel (l l) from dilute aqueous solutions; by ion flotation

this series of papers deal with a systematic investigation of application of different foam separation techniques for the removal of nickel (l l) from dilute aqueous solutions and to compare the effectiveness of the different techniques. in the present work, the feasibility of the use of sodium lauryl sulphate (Nals) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as collectors to separate nickel (l l) at Ph values below the precipitation point of Ni (OH)2 was investigated using the ion flotation technique. the different factors that might affect the separation efficiency were investigated . both collectors were found to produce hydrated froths leading to rather low concentrations of the metal ion in the foam phase. however, nals was the most effective giving recoveries >95% and it was therefore extensively investigated . possible means to improve the foam separation efficiency of solubilized nickel are generally proposed . preliminary results using the surfactant : aerosol 18 as a collector are very promising