Influence of flotation cell hydrodynamics on the flotation kinetics and scale up, Part 1: Hydrodynamic parameter measurements and ore property determination

It has been assumed that P (ore floatability) in the AMIRA P9 model remains constant over a wide range of bubble surface area flux (Sb) regardless of the amount of power introduced into a flotation cell. Therefore, increasing the impeller speed in the cell does not have any effect on the P value if P is the true ore property. However, flotation test work was conducted in the above mentioned different hydrodynamic conditions in both cells, and shows that by increasing the power input the P value is also increased, especially for particle size classes below 75 μm in both cells. P, in its current form, cannot therefore be the true ore property and is influenced by cell hydrodynamics. It should be mentioned that the current AMIRA P9 model still remains a useful model to simulate a plant operation under some circumstances not far from its original design state. However, in order to improve the scale up capability from lab scale flotation tests, it is necessary to incorporate the measured hydrodynamic parameters into the AMIRA P9 model.