Question

Explain the role of depressor in forth floatation process.What information do Ellingham diagram provide?

Answer 1

Depressants are those substances which selectively prevent certain type of particles from forming the froth with the bubbles. For example, NaCN is added as a depressant for the separation of an ore containing ZnS and PbS.
Ellingham diagram is the graphical representation of Gibbs energy. It provides a basis for considering the choice of reducing agent in the reduction of oxides and helps us in predicting the feasibility of thermal reduction of an ore.