A Preliminary study of three-phase column flotation process monitoring using electrical capacitance volume tomography

Abstract

A preliminary study of three-phase column flotation process using electrical capacitance volume tomography (ECVT) has been conducted. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of ECVT method as a monitoring system by correlating the relative permittivity distribution (or three-dimensional image) with metallurgical performance (recovery of the process). Experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale flotation column with ECVT sensor embedded outside the pipe wall on the collection zone. The feed used was a synthetic ore consisting of sphalerite and silica with the purity of 99%. Process parameter used was air flow rate ranging from 2-4 l/m which each process was conducted for 10 minutes. The results showed that the ECVT method could observe the dynamic process of flotation, specifically in monitoring a feeding process and a separation process. They were indicated by increased and decreased relative permittivity distributions respectively. Relative permittivity signal and metallurgical performance have a good correlation and showed a positive correlation. These results show a prospect of ECVT method as the monitoring system in the flotation process, but further works need to be done for this monitoring system.