LAUSR

The aim of this study is to determine the potential of using ethoxylated alcohols as surfactants, which improve the sedimentation rate of CaCO3 in tap water and are applicable for flotation separation of plastics obtained from the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). Another goal is to determine a surfactant that will not form hard and difficult‐to‐mix crystals in contact with CaCO3. Moreover, estimation of the effect of ethoxylated alcohols on the CaCO3 suspension sedimentation rate in tap water was made. 30% CaCO3 suspensions in tap water were prepared. Then different kinds of surfactants in that suspension were tested and the stabilities of dispersions were examined. Densities, surface tensions, and sedimentation rates were determined. Moreover, the XRD analyses were performed to characterize differences before and after adding surfactants to the calcium carbonate suspensions. As follows from the research, some ethoxylated alcohols do not form hard‐to‐mix crystals and exhibit better stabilities of dispersion. The best result is a 1.4 improvement of TSI, which proves that ethoxylated alcohols ameliorate the sedimentation rate and can be used as additives in the flotation separation of plastics.