Investigation of effect of ultrasound on stability of mineral suspensions in the presence of different reagents

In this study, firstly, the effect of ultrasound treatment on the stability of the mineral (celestite, colemanite, galena, quartz, kaolin and sepiolite) suspensions was investigated. In this context, the effects of ultrasonic device power value, ultrasound treatment time, plunge depth of the ultrasonic probe and the mode of application (batch and continuous) on the stability of the suspension were determined. Secondly, the effect of ultrasound treatment on the mineral suspensions in the presence of reagents (collector, flocculant, coagulant and dispersant) used for different purposes was determined in detail depending on the operating parameters. As a result of the studies carried out without using reagents of minerals, it was observed that the suspension stability values of the minerals decreased by ultrasonic treatment. In addition, it has been found that the application of ultrasound does not have a significant effect on the i.e.p. of the minerals. As a result of the studies carried out in the presence of collectors, flocculants and coagulants, it was found that the ultrasound treatment reduced the suspension stability of the minerals more than the without ultrasound treatment and therefore provided more successful flocculation. Furthermore, higher contact angle values were measured by ultrasonic treatment in the presence of collectors. In addition, the zeta potential measurements of minerals with ultrasound treatment differed depending on the reagents used. In the studies carried out in the presence of dispersants of mineral suspensions, higher stability values were obtained. That is, more successful dispersion of the minerals was achieved by ultrasound treatment. In addition, in the studies carried out in the presence of dispersant, the zeta potential negativity of the minerals increased with ultrasound treatment.