Experimental procedure for the determination of the critical coalescence concentration (Ccc) of simple frothers

In this study, the critical coalescence concentrations (CCC) of selected commercial frother solutions, namely polypropylene glycols (PPG 200, 400, and 600), tri propylene glycol (BTPG), triethylene glycol (BTEG), dipropylene glycol (BDPG), and as a reference, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), were determined using a bubble column based on light absorption. The results for all seven frothers showed that BTEG has the worst bubble inhibiting performance, and PPG 600 has the best bubble inhibiting performance. While critical coalescence concentration (CCC) was found as 3 ppm for PPG 600, it increased to 25 ppm for BTEG. In the case of MIBC, which was the reference point, the CCC value was found as 10 ppm, which was consistent with the literature. The surface tension isotherms of the frothers were determined and analyzed with one of the latest adsorption models. The results indicated that the polypropylene glycol frothers showed more surface activity compared to alcohol or other frothers investigated. This is due to the additional reorganization of the PPG molecules on the air/water interface, thus boosting its surface activity.