Increasing the pulp temperature can increase the flotation speed and achieve higher flotation parameters (recovery rate and concentrate quality).
Pulp temperature also affects the effects of activators and inhibitors. Generally, the effects of activators and inhibitors are stronger and faster at higher temperatures, while their effects are weaker and slower at lower temperatures, leading to a decrease in flotation parameters.
In the flotation of certain difficult-to-float non-ferrous metal oxide ores, the pulp often needs to be heated to promote the sulfidation of sodium sulfide. The effect of temperature is even greater in the flotation of non-metallic ores.
Because some concentrators experience significant differences in pulp temperature between winter and summer, some technical and economic indicators of the concentrator exhibit seasonal fluctuations.
Since concentrators handle large volumes of pulp, heating large quantities of pulp to adjust the temperature is not cost-effective. Therefore, most flotation processes are conducted at room temperature.
Temperature has little effect on xanthates, mainly because xanthates are readily soluble in water during flotation and do not require heating.