| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 233474 | Minerals Engineering | 2013 | 8 Pages |
A froth transport model for industrial flotation cells characterisation has been developed in terms of operating variables for a three-phase system (i.e., gas, liquid and valuable/non-valuable solid). The new approach, based on previous literature, involves three transport mechanisms: a vertical transport zone, a combined vertical and horizontal transport zone that allows the liquid and solid phases to be carried to the concentrate stream, and a mechanism in which the gas phase is gradually removed from the top of the froth (bubble collapse).To develop and evaluate the model, non-conventional measurements were conducted in a 130 m3 flotation cell in the Cu/Mo rougher circuit at Division El Teniente, Codelo-Chile. The solid axial profile in the froth, the froth recovery and the froth transport times for the three phases (measured by radioactive tracers), are among the most important measured variables. The mean froth residence times and froth recovery estimations were used as boundary conditions in the proposed model.The aim of the froth transport model was to provide a simple and practical understanding of the froth performance in the flotation equipment. A practical description of the froth zone behaviour will allow new designs and configurations to be evaluated for the radial and peripheral launders in mechanical cells, improve the recovery of valuable minerals and decrease the gangue entrainment into the concentrate stream.
Graphical abstractIt was observed that the liquid and gangue recovered in the concentrate originate preferentially from the zone near the overflow lip, whereas the transport of valuable minerals was more distributed throughout the entire froth.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A froth transport model was developed and evaluated using industrial data. ► The model was calibrated using measurements obtained at industrial scale. ► The liquid and gangue in the concentrate comes from the zone near the overflow lip. ► The transport of valuable minerals is more distributed throughout the entire froth. ► A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate different launder configurations.
