Abstract
A methodology of selection of frothers for flotation process is presented in the paper. It is based on performing a series of fractionating flotation tests of a considered material at different doses of a selected frother and calculation of the mass balance of the process. Next, three steps are performed. The first one is determination of the frother dose and kinetic constant or specific rate, using the flotation limits plot relating maximum recovery and process rate, both at a selected maximum recovery of the considered material component. The second step is finding selectivity of separation by using the upgrading Fuerstenau plot, while the third element is frothers comparison plot in the form of selectivity versus process kinetics, at a selected maximum recovery, and also versus frother dose, for choosing the most suitable frother.
Highlights
Frothers play a vital role in flotation of ores, wastes and byproducts
Literature data indicate that for highly hydrophobic solids frothers can sometimes be harmful while for medium hydrophobic is very effective and for weakly hydrophobic and hydrophilic is usually neutral [8]
Common sense suggests that the essential parameters which should be used for selection of frothers for industrial application are frother dose, flotation rate and process selectivity
Summary
Frothers play a vital role in flotation of ores, wastes and byproducts. Common sense suggests that the essential parameters which should be used for selection of frothers for industrial application are frother dose, flotation rate and process selectivity. These three parameters determine the cost of the beneficiation process. The goal of this work is to propose a methodology which can be used for determination of the three essential process parameters, that is selectivity, power and kinesis provided by a frother in the solids/water/gas system during flotation process. Three plots will be used for this purpose, that is flotation limits graph, Fuerstenau upgrading curve and comparison relation
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