Modeling and optimization of reagent dosages and pH for efficient floc-flotation of suspended particles in Jameson flotation cell by CCD

Abstract

In addition to operating device parameters, slurry properties affect the efficiency of Jameson cell during the application on floc-flotation treatment of suspended particles. This study focused on investigating the effects of collector dosage, pH, flocculant dosage, and frother dosage on residual turbidity and flotation recovery during floc-flotation of suspended particles using the Jameson cell. At constant device operating parameters, a central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the ideal operating conditions. The results showed that the reduced cubic models were effective in evaluating the main and interaction effects of the independent parameters on the floc-flotation in the Jameson cell. The optimized conditions were determined to be a collector dosage of 628 g/t, pH 6.8, flocculant dosage of 99 g/t, and 22 ppm frother concentration. Under these conditions, the estimated residual turbidity and flotation recovery were 16 NTU and 90 %, respectively, and confirmatory laboratory tests showed residual turbidity of 15.8 NTU and a flotation recovery of 89.5 %. The optimization of chemical parameters during the application of Jameson cell in floc-flotation presented in this research may helped to identify the optimal conditions for achieving the desired targets of multiple responses (lowest turbidity with the highest flotation recovery), which is a significant advantage of the design of experiments approach.