Evaluation of effect of viscosity changes on bubble size in a mechanical flotation cell

In operating flotation plants, the viscosity of the pulp can vary significantly. Consequently, the resulting impact on bubble size is of interest as many plants experience seasonal changes in water temperature, or particle size changes as ore hardness, mineralogy and throughput fluctuate. However, given its importance in flotation, there existed no mathematical relationship linking bubble size created in flotation machines to the key process variable of fluid viscosity. In this study, a program of investigation to develop such a model was utilizing a pilot-scale mechanical flotation machine, to investigate the effect of water viscosity due to temperature on bubble size distribution. The bubble sizes were determined using a specific bubble viewer and imaging technology. The temperature itself was varied as a method for introducing significant viscosity change. The viscosity-temperature effect introduced a correspondingly significant change in the water viscosity (1619 to 641 μPa·s). It is suggested that a considerably stronger relationship may exist, yielding D32 versus (μ/μ20)0.776, and hence viscosity becomes an important design consideration for plants operating where pulp temperature fluctuations, very small particles or high solid fractions are present.