An experimental study of copper sulfide flotation in a packed cyclonic–static microbubble flotation column

Abstract

ABSTRACTA method using a cyclonic–static microbubble flotation column packed with fluid guiding media was proposed for improving flotation efficiency of copper sulfide. The installation of packed fluid guiding media in a cyclonic–static microbubble flotation column was for changing flow pattern in 10 the column by avoiding strong cyclonic flow in the upper region of the column, which can cause bubble-particle detachment. Therefore, the attached particles can be more likely to enter the froth zone instead of swirling in the column. The flow rectification contributed to a smaller bubble size in the column and significantly reduced the number of big bubbles with diameter above 1 mm. This scenario was caused by the damping of swirling liquid motion where bubbles tended to 15 concentrate and coalescence in the center of an eddy. The packed fluid guiding media changed the hydrodynamics in the upper column from a cyclonic flow to a gentle flow and as a result improve the column separation. The application of packed fluid guiding media can decrease the bubble-particle detachment and the flotation recovery of copper sulfide could constantly improve with the installation of packed fluid guiding media in the FCSMC column.