Minerals Engineering最新文献

{"title":"Gold tailing metal extraction and sustainable end-use: a closed-loop review","authors":"Anthony Tapfuma ,&nbsp;Paul Mutimutema ,&nbsp;Olga Bazhko ,&nbsp;Siyabonga Nkabinde ,&nbsp;Mpho Ledwaba ,&nbsp;John M Kabangu ,&nbsp;Natsayi Chiwaye ,&nbsp;Elmar Muller ,&nbsp;Gebhu Ndlovu","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hydrometallurgy discipline is shifting towards circular processing, resulting in sustainable solutions for managing residual tailings generated during gold processing becoming increasingly important. Gold tailings, typically characterised by fine particle sizes, high silica content, low residual gold concentrations and many other valuable metals, including heavy and critical metals, present both environmental challenges (water, air and soil pollution) and opportunities for valorisation. This review paper examines the reprocessing of fresh and historic tailings, including those dating back to the early 19th century, to recover gold and other valuable metals such as copper, uranium, rare earth elements, and critical metals. Treatment methods including cyanidation, thiosulfate, thiourea, and halide leaching are discussed, with comparisons drawn between their use in value addition to tailings. Some novel methods, such as bioleaching, glycine leaching and deep eutectic solvents, show promising results due to lower operational costs and environmental benefits. Advantages of tailings reprocessing include reduced environmental liabilities as well as potential economic gains, but challenges such as reagent consumption and scalability limit the application. Additionally, this review examines the reuse of barren tailings in road construction, brick manufacturing, and mine backfill. High SiO₂ content, fine particle distribution, and low impurity levels (such as arsenic, lead, etc.) enhance their suitability for these applications. Finally, the paper outlines key regulatory frameworks and policy considerations that influence tailings management and reuse, emphasising the need for supportive legislation to encourage sustainable practices. The findings presented in this review are based on a structured and systematic literature review methodology involving comprehensive database searches, rigorous screening, and thematic synthesis. While the literature surveyed extends as far back as 1985, the primary results and data incorporated in this review predominantly originate from studies published in the 2000 s through to 2025 due to the limited information accessible from earlier decades. Overall, reprocessing and repurposing gold tailings align with green mining goals, offering both economic and environmental benefits to the mining sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110075"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Removal of fluid inclusions from vein quartz by stepwise chlorination roasting and mechanism study","authors":"Guangying Zhang ,&nbsp;Junjie Zhao ,&nbsp;Songjiang Guo ,&nbsp;Ruizhe Wang ,&nbsp;Kuixian Wei ,&nbsp;Wenhui Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110087","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110087","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The conventional thermal treatment of common quartz often proves insufficient for the thorough removal of fluid inclusions, thereby hindering the production of high-purity quartz sand. In this study, a novel stepwise chlorination roasting process is proposed, utilizing the bursting temperature characteristics of fluid inclusions in quartz along with the benefits of chlorination roasting. Vein quartz was initially roasted at 600 ℃ for 2 h in a Cl₂ atmosphere, followed by a second roasting at 900 ℃ for an additional 2 h. Experimental results indicate that, after stepwise chlorination roasting, the light transmittance of quartz increased from 56.72% to 93.38%, while water content decreased from 222.60 µg/g to 64.00 µg/g, corresponding to a removal rate of 71.25%, surpassing conventional methods in eliminating fluid inclusions. The final water content is lower than that of first-grade crystal, indicating compliance with standards for use in photovoltaic quartz crucibles. By analyzing the mechanisms of quartz crack propagation and lattice transformation, the mechanism by which stepwise chlorination roasting enhances the removal of fluid inclusion impurities has been elucidated. This study presents a new method of removing fluid inclusions from ordinary quartz, which will contribute to the healthy and sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110087"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of ore and host rock mineralogy in the beneficiation of a VMS deposit: Insights from Rävliden North, northern Sweden","authors":"Jonathan Rincon ,&nbsp;Nils Jansson ,&nbsp;Yousef Ghorbani ,&nbsp;Iris McElroy ,&nbsp;Helen Thomas ,&nbsp;Dominique Brising ,&nbsp;Nils-Johan Bolin ,&nbsp;Christina Wanhainen","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The grinding and flotation performance of Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag ores is highly sensitive to ore mineralogy, host rock composition, and textural variability, factors that are often overlooked in favour of bulk grade values. This study examines the Rävliden North Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit (VMS) deposit in northern Sweden. Two main ore types are identified: massive sphalerite- and galena-rich ore and chalcopyrite-rich vein-dominated ore that coupled with host rock type led to further 6 sub-types. Mineralogical and textural characterisation of flotation feed and products, using Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN®) and element to mineral conversion (EMC) based on multi-element chemical assays, reveals that fine-grained, sphalerite-dominated ore is more amenable to grinding and exhibit better liberation, enhancing flotation efficiency. In contrast, chalcopyrite-rich ore perform better in Cu-Pb flotation but is harder to grind due to its silicate-rich gangue (e.g., quartz). Minerals such as micas, amphiboles, and carbonates affect ore hardness, and ore mineralogy (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and Ag mineralogy) directly affects flotation efficiency. Blending of poor grade and hard to grind (problematic) ores with better grade and softer to grind (fairly good to good) ore is recommended to improve concentrate quality. Precious, critical, and deleterious elements are mostly recovered in the chalcopyrite-galena flotation circuit in amalgams (Ag, Hg), dyscrasite (Ag, Sb), hessite (Ag), sulphosalts (Ag, Sb, Bi), native Bi, and tellurobismuthite (Bi). These minerals are fine-grained (&lt; 20 µm) and poorly liberated, leading to recovery in both target and non-target flotation concentrates. Nevertheless, established metallurgical methods enable their efficient extraction maximising ore value. This study highlights the importance of process mineralogy for improved beneficiation in concentration circuits, and the understanding of by-products during processing of complex polymetallic ores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110076"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extraction of tungsten and molybdenum from low-grade tungsten-molybdenum ore: Thermodynamic calculations and kinetic analyses","authors":"Jian Kang ,&nbsp;Linlin Tong ,&nbsp;Qin Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhenan Jin ,&nbsp;Han Zhao ,&nbsp;Bin Xiong ,&nbsp;Hongying Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low-grade tungsten-molybdenum ore (LGTMO) is characterized by complex mineral composition, where valuable minerals namely tungsten (W) and molybdenum (Mo) are finely disseminated and closely associated with gangue minerals. Additionally, Mo in the ore has a relatively high oxidation degree, and W and Mo exhibit isomorphic substitution, which collectively leads to poor separation efficiency of W and Mo by flotation. Therefore, hydrometallurgical processes are considered a promising alternative for the extraction of W and Mo from LGTMO. In this study, thermodynamic calculations were performed to plot and analyze the lg<em>c</em>-pH diagrams of CaMoO₄-CaWO₄ in the Ca-W-Mo-P-H₂O system. The results indicated that an increase in the total phosphorus concentration and pH is favorable for the decomposition of CaMoO₄-CaWO₄. Furthermore, leaching kinetic analysis of LGTMO was carried out, and the kinetic parameters were determined. For Mo leaching, the activation energies were calculated as 30.94 kJ/mol (5–65 min) and 22.97 kJ/mol (65–215 min), respectively, and the entire leaching process (5–215 min) followed a mixed-controlled model. For WO₃ leaching, the activation energies were 45.4 kJ/mol (5–65 min) and 38.45 kJ/mol (65–215 min); specifically, the leaching process was controlled by interfacial chemical reaction in the early stage (5–65 min) and shifted to a mixed-controlled model in the later stage (65–215 min). Collectively, the findings from leaching thermodynamics and kinetics provide a theoretical basis for the extraction of Mo and WO₃ from LGTMO using a combined reagent system consisting of sodium hypochlorite, trisodium phosphate, and sodium hydroxide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110058"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic insights into enhanced reverse flotation separation of ilmenite and tremolite using polycarboxylate ether as a dispersant","authors":"Jizong Wu ,&nbsp;Baoyu Cui ,&nbsp;Yunhai Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the reverse flotation separation of ilmenite from −23 µm tremolite using polycarboxylate ether (PCE) as a dispersant, corn starch (CS) as an depressant, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a collector under alkaline conditions (pH = 10.0 ± 0.2). The flotation performance was investigated through single-mineral and mixed ore tests, with the impact of pH and reagent concentration assessed. DLVO theory was applied to analyze the interaction energy between ilmenite and tremolite. FTIR and XPS results revealed that PCE adsorbs onto Fe and Ti sites of ilmenite, promoting CS adsorption while reducing CTAB adsorption on ilmenite surfaces. ToF-SIMS analysis provided further insight into the interactions of the reagents at the mineral surface. The results demonstrate that the combination of PCE, CS, and CTAB significantly enhances the separation efficiency of ilmenite from tremolite, achieving a TiO₂ grade of 47.54 % and a recovery of 81.66 %. This work offers valuable insights into the role of dispersants and depressants in reverse flotation, providing a promising approach for ilmenite beneficiation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110078"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146025220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flow ability of cemented paste backfill with high-volume industrial wastes","authors":"Qianlong Li ,&nbsp;Mamadou Fall","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the rheological properties of cemented paste backfill (CPB) incorporating high-volume slag and fly ash (FA) as sustainable substitutes for Portland cement type I (PCI). The research aims to enhance CPB flowability while maximizing the reuse of industrial byproducts. Rheological tests were conducted on CPB samples composed of silica tailings with varying PCI/slag/FA ratios to assess their effects on yield stress and viscosity. Using a central composite design and response surface methodology, mathematical models were developed to quantify and predict the relationships between rheological parameters and binder composition. Microstructural and monitoring analyses revealed that slag and FA influence CPB flowability through particle size, shape, and hydration characteristics. Results indicate that replacing up to 80 % of PCI with slag and FA reduces yield stress and viscosity by 4.2 %–21.7 % and 0.7 %–5.0 %, respectively, improving flowability for mine filling applications. However, excessive slag and FA contents (90 %) increase fine particle interactions, elevating yield stress and viscosity. Time-dependent rheological changes were observed, with yield stress and viscosity increasing by 40 %–66.7 % and 3.9 %–7.1 % during two hours of curing, driven by hydration product formation. The optimal binder ratio (10.15 % PCI, 20.3 % slag, and 79.7 % FA) achieves a desirable balance of low yield stress (137.4 Pa) and viscosity (2.91 Pa·s) with over 90 % industrial waste reutilization. This study provides a robust framework for optimizing CPB formulations, addressing key challenges in sustainable mining practices, and guiding the large-scale reuse of industrial wastes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110073"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of research progress in the flotation separation of galena and chalcopyrite with a focus on green reagents","authors":"Yanling Jin ,&nbsp;Haiyun Xie ,&nbsp;Liuyang Dong ,&nbsp;Peilun Shen ,&nbsp;Chao Lv ,&nbsp;Taiguo Jiang ,&nbsp;Dianwen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Copper and lead are essential non-ferrous metals widely used in construction, energy, transportation, electronics, and defense industries. Galena (PbS) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), the primary carrier minerals of copper-lead sulfide ores, commonly coexist in complex polymetallic deposits and are often intergrown at fine scales. Their similar surface physicochemical properties and the presence of surface oxidation products lead to poor flotation selectivity, resulting in mutual contamination of concentrates and low resource utilization efficiency. Flotation remains the most effective method for copper-lead separation, in which selective depression plays a decisive role. However, conventional inorganic depressants, such as chromates and cyanides, are increasingly restricted due to their high toxicity and environmental risks. In this review, the geological occurrence, crystal structures, and surface physicochemical characteristics of galena and chalcopyrite are systematically summarized. The interfacial mechanisms governing the flotation separation of galena and chalcopyrite are critically reviewed, with particular attention to the adsorption behavior, selectivity differences, and structure–activity relationships of collectors and depressants. The molecular structures, action modes, and structure–activity relationships of traditional and novel flotation reagents are classified and compared. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in green organic depressants, including small-molecule compounds, natural polymers, and synthetic polymers, as well as their selective regulation mechanisms in copper-lead flotation systems. In addition, the synergistic effects between collectors and depressants and their implications for improving selectivity are discussed. This review highlights that the rational design of environmentally friendly reagent systems and the integration of collector–depressant synergy are key to achieving efficient and sustainable flotation separation of complex copper-lead sulfide ores. The insights summarized herein aim to provide theoretical guidance and practical references for the development of green flotation reagents and the optimization of copper-lead separation processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"239 ","pages":"Article 110102"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring electric arc furnace dust as a new source of rare earth elements: comparative leaching strategies and two-step selective precipitation","authors":"Seyedeh Neda Mousavi ,&nbsp;Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi ,&nbsp;Francesca Beolchini","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) was investigated through a post-bioleaching process involving leaching and selective precipitation. Due to the low extraction efficiency in the bioleaching process, bio and chemical leaching were performed on the EAFD bioleaching residues using metabolites from <em>Yarrowia lipolytica</em> and <em>Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans</em>, as well as citric and sulfuric acids. Sulfuric acid was the most effective leaching agent, achieving a REEs concentration of 119.6 mg/l under optimized conditions (1 M, 6 h, 30 °C). Precipitation was then employed to recover REEs using oxalic acid and disodium carbonate. Oxalic acid precipitated cerium selectively but removed a significant amount of manganese, limiting its selectivity. A two-step precipitation strategy using disodium carbonate was developed to enhance the purity of REEs. The first step efficiently removed iron and a portion of manganese, while the second step focused on REEs recovery. In this situation, the enrichment factor of the total REEs content reached 148. Speciation modeling with MEDUSA software supported experimental findings and guided the process. This integrated approach demonstrates the feasibility of post-bioleaching REEs recovery from the EAFD, offering insights into process design and metal separation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 110060"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep learning-based bubble characterization and growth model refinement in gas–solid separation fluidized beds","authors":"Song Wang ,&nbsp;Yanhong Fu ,&nbsp;Yandaizi Zhou ,&nbsp;Liang Dong ,&nbsp;Tielin Wang ,&nbsp;Dongsheng He","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In gas–solid fluidized beds, distributor-governed bubble dynamics critically govern system efficiency and particle separation. However, traditional bubble identification methods based on thresholding and edge detection often struggle with accuracy due to their reliance on low-level image features. This study applies deep learning-based image semantic segmentation to quantitatively analyze bubble distribution and evolution in gas–solid fluidized beds equipped with conventional perforated distributors (CPD) or micro-orifice distributors (MOD). The deep learning method used in this study achieved 98.40% pixel accuracy and 83.92% Mean Intersection over Union (MIoU) in bubble image segmentation. Experimental results showed that MOD reduced average bubble diameter by 36–55% and lowered bed density standard deviation by 60.76% compared to CPD fluidized beds. Analysis of bubble coalescence mechanisms indicates that MOD suppresses coalescence rates through high-density micro-jetting flows, significantly improving bed density stability. Time-domain and frequency-domain analyses of bed pressure drop signals reveals that the MOD fluidized bed exhibits weaker periodic oscillations at the influence of small bubbles. The minimum standard deviation of bed density reached 0.031 g/cm³, compared to 0.079 g/cm³ for the CPD fluidized bed. A region-specific bubble growth model was developed by introducing parameter <em>k</em> corrections to traditional models, distinguishing between the near-distributor and upper bed regions, with prediction errors within 30%. These results provide a theoretical basis for the zonal optimization of gas–solid separation fluidized beds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 110070"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Foam stabilization mechanisms in blended Short-Chain alcohol and polyether surfactant systems for flotation","authors":"Mengdi Xu ,&nbsp;Fangyu Guo ,&nbsp;Xicheng Bao ,&nbsp;Ying Zhou ,&nbsp;Xiahui Gui ,&nbsp;Yaowen Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In flotation process, frothers, typically surfactants, are added to the pulp to reduce the surface tension and create the foam. Nonionic blended surfactants are widely employed as frothers in mineral flotation. In this study, we systematically investigated the foam stabilization mechanisms of blended short-chain alcohol (n-pentanol, 2-octanol) and polyether polymer (polyethylene glycol, PEG) surfactant systems for flotation. A comprehensive set of analytical techniques, including surface tension measurement, dynamic foam stability analysis, bubble morphology observation, foam film drainage measurement, and molecular dynamics simulations, were employed to explore foam properties across macroscopic and microscopic scales in single and blended surfactant solutions. Surface tension measurements revealed that PEG exhibited higher surface activity than both n-pentanol and 2-octanol, and the addition of PEG to short-chain surfactant solution significantly reduced the surface tension. Dynamic foam stability analysis showed that incorporating a small amount of PEG into n-pentanol and 2-octanol solutions substantially enhanced foam stability. Additionally, the introduction of PEG shifted the bubble size distribution curve from a bimodal to a unimodal profile, indicating the significant reduction in bubble size and enhanced inhibition of bubble coalescence. Foam film drainage tests further revealed that the addition of PEG notably slowed the drainage rate and enhanced liquid film stability. This improvement was attributed to a synergistic effect arising from the co-adsorption of n-pentanol (or 2-octanol) and PEG at the gas–liquid interface. It is hypothesized that the surface tension gradient created by differences in surface activity between PEG and the short-chain alcohols induced a stronger Marangoni flow, which promoted surfactant redistribution, enhanced the self-healing capacity of the film, and improved its overall stability. Furthermore, the foam and film stability observed in the n-pentanol/PEG system was notably superior to that in the 2-octanol/PEG system. Molecular dynamics simulations supported this finding by showing that the greater surface activity contrast between PEG and n-pentanol resulted in a more pronounced Marangoni effect, which facilitated more uniform dispersion of PEG molecules and contributed to enhanced film stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18594,"journal":{"name":"Minerals Engineering","volume":"238 ","pages":"Article 110059"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}