Abstract
SYNOPSIS The effect of flotation operational parameters on froth stability and froth recovery was studied. Froth stability was measured using a special column. To determine the froth recovery, the froth height change model and froth height exponential model were used. It was found that since the interactions between the pulp and froth zones affect the time of froth formation, the exponential model is more suitable than the froth height change method for determining the froth recovery. The results showed that superficial air velocity and collector dosage have, respectively, the highest and lowest effect on the froth recovery, while froth recovery decreases sharply with increasing froth height. Keywords: froth stability, froth recovery, superficial air velocity, collector dosage, frother dosage.
Highlights
Froth stability plays an important role in determining selectivity and recovery in flotation (Farrokhpay, 2011)
Decreasing the particle size, as well as increasing the superficial air velocity (Jg), collector dosage (Cc), and frother dosage (Fc), all result in an increased concentration of the solid particles in the froth phase (Figure 6)
The behaviour of the particles at different sizes was found to be different. This indicates that an increase in fine particles has a positive effect on the froth formation due to the increased viscosity of the pulp
Summary
Froth stability plays an important role in determining selectivity and recovery in flotation (Farrokhpay, 2011). Froth stability can be defined as froth retention time, which depends on the structure of the froth and size distribution of the bubbles (Aktas, Cilliers, and Banford, 2008), or decay time of the froth (Tsatouhas, Grano, and Vera, 2006). Froth stability can be determined by dynamic or static tests. The froth dynamic is determined by measuring the maximum froth height, and the froth static is determined by the time taken the froth to decay after the air is shut off (Farrokhpay, 2011). The concept of dynamic froth stability was first introduced by Bickerman in 1973 and was later modified by Barbian, Ventura-Medina, and Cilliers (2003). Dynamic froth stability is the ratio of froth volume to the aeration value; if the cross-sectional area of the whole cell is assumed to be the same, the dynamic froth stability is equal to the froth retention time and is calculated using Equation [1]:
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