In the attempt to process lower-grade ores, mineral flotation has taken centre stage as the preferred recovery route. However, in many instances, the froth product does not have a high grade due to the entrainment of gangue minerals. Industry has solved this challenge by introducing froth washing mechanisms. Clean wash water is introduced into or on top of the froth to reduce the amount of entrained gangue in the final concentrate. This article reviews froth-washing systems in detail and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each wash-water delivery mechanism. Comments on industrial uptake are provided. The indications are that froth washing improves the grade of the concentrate and influences froth stability and mobility. Other researchers have reported an improvement in recovery—especially of coarse particles—with wash water being added, while others have reported a reduction in recovery, especially with composite particles. Froth washing is generally applied in mechanical flotation cells by washing at the lip. In column flotation cells and Jameson cells, wash water is added to the entire froth surface. The literature also indicates that the wash-water rate, wash-water quality, type of wash-water delivery/ distribution mechanism and the area covered by wash water are critical parameters that dictate the efficacy of the washing system. Further research is necessary on the impact of wash-water quality on the froth phase sub-processes including froth rheology.

中文翻译：

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浮选泡沫洗涤综述

在尝试处理低品位矿石时，矿物浮选已成为首选回收途径的中心舞台。然而，在许多情况下，由于夹带脉石矿物，泡沫产品的品位不高。工业界通过引入泡沫洗涤机制解决了这一挑战。将干净的洗涤水引入泡沫中或泡沫顶部以减少最终浓缩物中夹带的脉石量。本文详细回顾了泡沫清洗系统，并强调了每种清洗水输送机制的优缺点。提供了关于工业吸收的评论。迹象表明，泡沫洗涤可提高精矿的品位并影响泡沫的稳定性和流动性。其他研究人员报告说，通过添加洗涤水，回收率有所提高，尤其是粗颗粒，而其他人则报告回收率下降，尤其是复合颗粒。泡沫洗涤通常通过在边缘处洗涤而应用于机械浮选槽。在柱式浮选槽和詹姆森槽中，洗涤水被添加到整个泡沫表面。文献还表明，洗涤水速率、洗涤水质量、洗涤水输送/分配机制的类型以及洗涤水覆盖的区域是决定洗涤系统功效的关键参数。需要进一步研究洗涤水水质对泡沫相子过程（包括泡沫流变学）的影响。将洗涤水加入到整个泡沫表面。文献还表明，洗涤水速率、洗涤水质量、洗涤水输送/分配机制的类型以及洗涤水覆盖的区域是决定洗涤系统功效的关键参数。需要进一步研究洗涤水水质对泡沫相子过程（包括泡沫流变学）的影响。将洗涤水加入到整个泡沫表面。文献还表明，洗涤水速率、洗涤水质量、洗涤水输送/分配机制的类型以及洗涤水覆盖的区域是决定洗涤系统功效的关键参数。需要进一步研究洗涤水水质对泡沫相子过程（包括泡沫流变学）的影响。