The effect of energy input on the flotation of quartz in an oscillating grid flotation cell

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of energy input on the flotation of quartz in an oscillating grid flotation cell. Oscillating grids exhibit relatively isotropic and homogeneous turbulence. Previous work was limited to power intensities of less than 0.60W/kg. The current work uses a new oscillating grid cell which operates at much higher power intensities. Quartz (sub 100μm) was floated in the new cell at power intensities from 0.5 to 5W/kg and using three discrete bubble sizes (0.13mm, 0.24mm and 0.82mm). Results show that the effect of power intensity on flotation kinetics is strongly dependent on both particle and bubble size. For small bubbles, high flotation rates are achieved at very low power intensities. For larger bubbles, flotation rates increase with increasing power intensity for fine and intermediate particles, while an optimum power intensity is reached for coarser particles.