Abstract

The present study shows the results obtained on the removal of copper ions from synthetic effluents by using the adsorbent particles flotation technique (APF) in a Jet flotation cell (Jameson type). In a typical experimental run, a mineral with high quartz content was used as adsorbent particles in the adsorption and flotation experiments, to determine optimal pH conditions, adsorbent particles concentration; flotation reagents dosage and air/effluent flow ratio for applying in the Jet cell to maximize the efficiency of copper ions adsorptions and the removal of particles adsorbent containing the absorbed copper ions. The results indicate that at pH > 7 and at adsorbent particles concentration of 2 kg.m-3, 99 % of copper ions is adsorbed and, when the air/ effluent flow ratio applied in the Jet cell is 0.2, 98 % of adsorbent particles containing the adsorbed copper ions is removed.