A phenomenological model of entrainment and froth recovery for interpreting laboratory flotation kinetics tests. (15th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amelunxen, Peter; LaDouceur, Richard; Amelunxen, Roger; Young, Courtney
• Is Part Of: Minerals engineering. Volume 125(2018)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2018-08-15
• Subjects: Flotation -- Modeling -- Kinetics -- Batch tests; Mines and mineral resources -- Periodicals; Ressources minérales -- Périodiques; Mines and mineral resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2018.05.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6875

Abstract

Highlights: Phenomelogical models for entrainment and froth recovery improve flotation test interpretation. The new method considers particle specific gravity and is independent of scraping frequency. The method gives a much better estimate of the collection rate constant. Abstract: There is currently no standard approach to laboratory flotation testing and interpretation. The deficiency stems, in part, from the difficulties in quantifying the recovery of mineral particles by hydraulic entrainment ( Re ) and the recovery of collected mineral particles across the froth zone ( Rf ) of a laboratory flotation cell. For lack of alternatives, most practitioners ignore entrainment ( Re = 0) and assume that froth recovery is 100% ( Rf = 1). Consequently, differences in test scraping frequency or froth characteristics can lead to large differences in the inferred collection kinetics. This paper proposes resolving the problem by incorporating a phenomenological solution for Re and Rf . By considering the test water balance, incorporating hindered settling theory, and making some simple assumptions regarding the pulp, interface, and froth phases, it can be shown that the entrainment recovery of any mineral can be calculated solely from the particle size and specific gravity. A similar approach can be used to estimate the froth recovery as a function of time. The method is applied to a data set of flotation tests conducted with different scraping rates, and it is demonstrated that it yields similar flotation rate constants regardless of the scraping rate.