Simple approximations for estimating froth recovery

Abstract

Froth recovery is an important aspect of the overall performance of flotation cell. Froth recovery is also very difficult to predict based on the operating conditions of the cell. In this paper, a simple theoretical approximation is proposed that relates froth recovery to the relevant froth parameters, such as gas rate into the cell, the air recovery and the change in bubble size over the cell. This simple model includes both the particle detachment, as well as the behaviour of detached particles in its description of froth recovery. An important concept that is introduced and that has a strong influence on the froth recovery is the fraction of particles attached to a failing film that become detached. Some of the implications of this model for the performance of flotation cells and, in particular, their response to typical operating parameters such as froth depth, air rate and particle size are discussed.