The effect of energy input on the flotation of a platinum ore in a pilot-scale oscillating grid flotation cell

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of energy/power input on the flotation of a platinum ore in a pilot-scale oscillating grid flotation cell. Oscillating grids generate near ideal hydrodynamic environments, characterised by turbulence which is relatively homogeneous and isotropic. Secondary rougher feed and primary cleaner tail streams were floated in a pilot-scale oscillating grid flotation cell at power inputs from 0 to 2.5W/kg, using 0.71 and 1.47mm bubbles. From this study one may conclude that the effect of energy/power input on the flotation rate is strongly dependent on the particle and bubble size. For large bubbles (1.47mm), increasing energy input generally leads to an increase in the flotation rate for finer particles (−25μm) and an optimum flotation rate for intermediate (+25–53μm) & coarse particles (+53–75μm). For small bubbles (0.71mm), increasing energy input leads to a decrease in the flotation rate for all conditions. Optimum conditions for PGM flotation are using small bubbles at low energy inputs, or large bubbles at higher energy inputs.