A SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON PHYSICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROCESSES

Abstract

Physical Separation process refers to all the mineral separation techniques that are based on exploiting the differences in specific physical properties of the mineral such as specific gravity, magnetic properties, thermal and electrical conductivity. Physical separation techniques are usually preferred for economic reasons. Physical separation techniques include;

•Gravity separation process

•Classifiers

•Magnetic separation process

•Electrical separation process

•Separation by picking

Physico-chemical separation processes are those separation processes that are based on exploiting the surface chemical characteristics of the mineral to be separated. This separation technique requires the use of surface active agent most of which are discussed extensively in the write up. Also, the chemical composition of the minerals remains unchanged during and after processing (RamachandraRao, 2006).Examples of this technique include;

•Froth floatation

•Ion floatation

•Precipitation floatation

The success of both physical and physico-chemical methods of separation is determined by variations in properties between individual mineral components to be separated. In order to take advantage of this variation, the minerals have to be prepared appropriately by communition.