Montmorillonite, a versatile clay mineral with a wide range of industrial applications, is often found in natural deposits with impurities that limit its effectiveness. This study investigates the use of column froth flotation as an innovative technique to improve the purity of montmorillonite by selectively removing impurities without affecting its essential properties. Column froth flotation, a well-established mineral separation method, is adapted to address the specific challenges associated with enhancing montmorillonite purity. The process involves conditioning raw montmorillonite with carefully chosen reagents to selectively separate impurities, including quartz, feldspar, and other minerals commonly found alongside montmorillonite in natural deposits. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of column froth flotation in significantly enhancing the purity of montmorillonite. This method allows for efficient impurity removal while preserving the essential properties of montmorillonite, making it suitable for various industrial applications. The study also explores the optimal conditions and reagent choices to maximize the purification process. In conclusion, column froth flotation offers a promising avenue for enhancing montmorillonite purity without compromising its fundamental properties. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing the process for large-scale industrial applications, facilitating the development of highquality montmorillonite products tailored to specific industrial needs.

• Jang-Soon Kwon(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)) Corresponding author
• Seok Yoon(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Minhyeong Lee(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))
• Bong-Ju Kim(Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI))