Flotation process

1. Flotation process introduction

The flotation process is generally defined as the general term for the various operations through which the ore slurry flows during ore flotation. Different types of ore are treated in different processes, so the flotation process also reflects the characteristics of the ore being treated, and is therefore often referred to as the flotation process.

The choice of flotation process depends mainly on the nature of the ore and the requirements for the quality of the concentrate. The nature of the ore is mainly refer to the grade and material composition of the original ore; ore in the useful mineral distribution characteristics and symbiotic relationship; ore in the grinding process of the mud situation; the physical and chemical properties of minerals. In addition, the size of the plant, technical and economic conditions, is also the basis for determining the flotation process. Different size and technical and economic conditions, often determine the complexity of the flotation process. Smaller, poorer technical and economic conditions of the plant, should not use a more complex process; larger, better technical and economic conditions of the plant, in order to maximize the better technical and economic results, you can use a more complex flotation process. It should be noted that sometimes, a variety of useful minerals closely symbiotic. For this complex ore, a single flotation process can not maximize the comprehensive recovery of various useful components, often also need to use the combined process of flotation and other beneficiation methods or metallurgical methods.
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Pulp density and adjustment in flotation plant

The conditioning of the pulping before flotation is an important operation in the flotation process, including the determination of the pulp density and the selection of the pulp conditioning method and other process factors.

1. Pulp density

Pulp density refers to the content of solid mineral particles in the pulp. There are usually two ways to express: (1) liquid-solid ratio, indicates the ratio of liquid to solid weight (or volume) in the pulp, sometimes also known as dilution; (2) percent solid content (%), indicates the percentage of solids by weight (or volume) in the pulp. Common flotation concentrations in flotation plants are listed in Table1.

Pulp density is an important process factor in the flotation process, which affects the following techno-economic indicators. Read more

Particle size effect on flotation process

There are many factors affecting the flotation process, among which the more important ones are:
particle size (grinding fineness), pulp density, chemical addition and adjustment, bubble and foam adjustment, pulp temperature, flotation procedure, water quality, etc.

Experience has proven that flotation process factors must be determined and selected according to the characteristics of the ore properties and through experimental studies in order to obtain the optimal technical and economic indicators.

1. Particle size effect on flotation

In order to ensure a high process index for flotation, it is important to study the effect of particle size on flotation and to determine the most suitable feed size (fineness) and other process conditions according to the nature of the ore. Flotation requires not only adequate monomeric dissociation of the minerals, but also a suitable feed size. Ore particles are too coarse, even if the minerals have been monomeric dissociation, because more than the bubble flotation capacity, often can not float. The upper limit of flotation size for each type of minerals is different, such as sulfide minerals are generally 0.2-0.25 mm, non-sulfide minerals for 0.25-0.3 mm, for some less dense non-metallic minerals such as coal, the upper limit of particle size can also be improved. However, the grinding size is too fine (such as less than 0.01 mm) is also detrimental to flotation. Practice has shown that there are differences in flotation behavior for various particle sizes(Refer Table 1)

The data in the table illustrate that different minerals have their own optimal particle size range for flotation. Both too coarse (>0.1 mm) and too fine (>0.006 mm) particle sizes are not conducive to flotation and recovery is reduced. Read more