Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol
The preferred frother
Froth flotation is used in the mining industry to selectively separate valuable hydrophobic minerals from hydrophilic waste gangue. This technique is especially useful for separating a wide range of sulfides, carbonates, and oxides prior to further refinement. MIBC is used as a frother in the flotation process. MIBC absorbs at the water-air interface, aids in the production of bubbles, and stabilizes the flotation froths. Two major types of frothers in commercial use today are short chain aliphatic alcohols and polyglycols. MIBC is the most commonly used alcohol frother due to its many advantages:
- Fast kinetics
- Forms dry but easy-to-break froths
- Preferred choice for many sulfide ores and coals
- Produces high-grade concentrates with excellent selectivity
- Especially suitable for fine particles (<10 μm)