What is Froth flotation?

After an amazing holiday back home and some not-so-amazing absence from classes, I was back in the campus to hit the semester with a bang! The excitement so immense, the faith so deep, the expectations so high, I entered the department with a resolution to show every mortal in the upcoming engineering community, that I too can compete with the world with my substance! It was a war! A war between us (ie. The students) and them (ie, in this case, the faculty). I was game.

The day began with the class of Introduction to Chemical Processes. A young chap with a pathetic English and horrific diction entered the class in his typical fashion. The usual proceedings followed. After the attendance and calling out of names in every possible manner, but for the real one, he got settled and so did we. Those in the front were all ears for the pearls of wisdom that were to flow from his ever hydrated mouth. There were others who had their Archies and Vikatan (some local mag) opened below the desks, while still others, the "intellectuals", were busy searching the marker they had left in their Da Vinci Codes and Jeffrey Archers. Well, I did not belong to any of these categories, remember my resolve!

Nevertheless, I did end up in a seat which boasted of enabling the seated to see everyone from behind, yet none behind him, thanks to my last minute entry to the class. My mates were involved in heated discussions and hot gossip about the happening pair in campus and the talk-of-the-town rumors from Opal, the girls hostel, the moment the young guy in front started his rendition. Alas! Once upon a time, I was a part of them (in this case, my blokes) too. But not anymore! I had a mission, a cause, a battle! Remember my resolve!

The class progressed and so did the no. of students whose nostrils were flaring up to suck every molecule of oxygen around him/her. But I was determined not to go astray. Took down every word he said, every line he drew. I was for once, a changed wannabe techy! I could feel it. Thanks to my resolve!

"What is froth flotation?" came the question from the lecturer. Froth flotation? Did I hear Froth flotation?? "Man that's 9th grade crap in metallurgy! Remember?" asked myself. There was a sudden commotion and guys were talking with each other. The lecturer was getting annoyed at the murmuring. Later, for specific reasons, I was told that he did not encourage inter student clarifications for any questions he asked. Anyway, I didn't understand the reason for this much confusion, because the answer was so simple. I decided to tell the answer to Sunny, who was sitting next to me. "Froth flotation is a process by which the ore which is lighter than the gangue can be separated. The raw material in the powdered form is taken in a mixer and then mixed with pine oil or any other frothing with the help of compressed air introduced into the mixer with the help of rotary perforated tubes."

The guys in front of me, Ram, Laveesh and Chatley turned back and gazed at me with awe and admiration! I was elated! YES! I have proved that I am capable of being an engineer! I have my fundamentals as strong as the foundation of the tallest towers in the world!

"You! You there! Get up! What is your name?" asked the lecturer, pointing his chalk to me. The cold stare was a bonus. I bet President Bush Jr felt lot better when the planes crashed into the WTC on 9/11.

"Sir, Alfi Ashraf" came the reply from a courteous me, who stud up in respect.

"what's your roll no.?" he was quick to ask picking the attendance register.

"Sir, IC10201."

There was pin drop silence in class. All eyes gazing at me, while the butcher in front, who had butchered all my enthusiasm, stood there marking something in the register.

"You can sit down." and thus he continued with his rendition.