Difficulties in fine particle flotation are well documented._x000D_
Microbubble flotation has been found to greatly improve the recovery of fine particles and in situ gas nucleation by hydrodynamic cavitation incorporated in the design of modern flotation machines has shown great performance in fine particle flotation and potentially in coarse particle flotation._x000D_
In this presentation, we will provide an overview on gas nucleation by hydrodynamic cavitation and its role in fine particle flotation with focus on the progress made in our research laboratory. Hydrodynamic cavitation was achieved and the critical role of dissolved gases in the liquid was elucidated by visualisation in a high intensity agitation cell. The in situ gas nucleation on fine particles by hydrodynamic cavitation was identified by zeta potential distribution measurement in model systems. Gas nucleation by hydrodynamic cativation was found to effectively aggregate hydrophobised fine particles thereby leading to enhanced flotation kinetics._x000D_
This is an abstract only. No full paper was prepared for this presentation._x000D_
CITATION:Xu, Z and Masliyah, J, 2010._x000D_
Enhance fine particle flotation by hydrodynamic cavitation, in Proceedings XXV International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC) 2010, pp 159-160 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).