The Separation of Zinc and Copper from Seawater by Adsorption Colloid Flotation

Abstract

Abstract Procedures are described whereby zinc and copper present as cations in seawater are brought to the surface in less than 5 min by an adsorption colloid flotation process which utilizes a negatively charged ferric hydroxide collector, a cationic surfactant, dodecylamine, and air. Statistical studies on test series show a mean recovery of 94.0% with a relative standard deviation of 6.1% for zinc and a mean recovery of 95.0% with a relative standard deviation of 6.1% for copper.