The effects of frother and collector distribution on flotation performance

In this study, a method of measuring the concentration of non-adsorbed reagents on a laboratory scale has been developed. Batch flotation experiments were carried out on an industrial sulphide ore. The adsorption of the collector (SIBX) and frother (Dowfroth 200) to the solid particles was determined by measuring the concentration remaining in filtered liquid samples taken from the concentrate and tails. Analysis was carried out using UV spectrometry and TOC analysis. It was found that 20% of the frother is lost in the presence of the SIBX and that after 2 min, 63% of the SIBX had adsorbed to particles. The results also showed that an increase in the initial concentration of SIBX, and an increase in the conditioning time yielded a higher concentrate grade.