The use of positron emission particle tracking as a method for tracking particles in flotation froths

Positron emission particle tracking has been used to track the motion of galena particles in the froth phase of a flotation cell. The particle has been observed to move through the froth and towards the weir before overflowing to be collected. Whilst in the froth, the particle detaches from a bubble, falls down the froth before re-attaching and moving up once again. This detachment has also been noted through an increase in the speed of the particle, before decreasing once again after re-attachment. The speed in the froth is also considerably lower than in the pulp prior to air being added to the cell - a difference of up to 2 orders of magnitude. This method of particle tracking has considerable potential for following the trajectory of particles in froths and foams, and therefore improving computational models.