Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

  • To participate in the 911Metallurgist Forums, be sure to JOIN & LOGIN
  • Use Add New Topic to ask a New Question/Discussion about Flotation.
  • OR Select a Topic that Interests you.
  • Use Add Reply = to Reply/Participate in a Topic/Discussion (most frequent).
    Using Add Reply allows you to Attach Images or PDF files and provide a more complete input.
  • Use Add Comment = to comment on someone else’s Reply in an already active Topic/Discussion.

Determination of the number of cleaner and scavenger flotation stages (2 replies)

m
ecublens
2 years ago
ecublens 2 years ago

Hello,

I have rougher flotation results. How can I determine how many stages of cleaning and scavenger flotation should be done according to these data? Is there any procedure for this?

Mike
2 years ago
Mike 2 years ago
Like

The best method is to start with lab test and then move to pilot plant test.  Rougher data will help size the rougher circuit, but tells almost nothing about cleaner and scaveneger (except if you even need them).

J
Jorge
2 years ago
Jorge 2 years ago
Like

If you performed rougher flotation tests and the results are acceptable, the next step to perform cleaner test. The key considerations are listed below,

- It is necessary perform a new rougher test when a new cleaner test must be performed. The variability of the rougher concentrate is very important in this case. If the Operator is not very skilled, there would some problems.

- The cleaner circuit usually includes three cleaner stages. It could be less than three if the ore is high grade (e.g. 5% Pb, Rougher concentrate, 25% Pb), or more than three in the ore grade is low (e.g. 0.5% Mo, Rougher Concentrate, 10% Mo). The mineralogy plays an important role in the performance of the cleaner circuit.

- It is a good idea to consider an open Rougher circuit and a Cleaner-Scavenger circuit. Tails from the First Cleaner circuit feeds the Cleaner-Scavenger circuit.  

- Rougher tails and Cleaner-Scavenger tails are the tails of the overall flotation circuit.

- Evaluate the effect of regrind the Rougher concentrate on the concentrate grade. The regrind time is a variable in this case, for example, 0, 1, 2, 4 minutes.

- The flotation time to perform the First Cleaner can be selected considering tests with a similar material or performing kinetic tests. A similar approach is valid for the Second and Third Cleaner. Also, the Cleaner-Scavenger Circuit. For example, First Cleaner, 5 minutes, Second Cleaner, 4 minutes and Third Cleaner, 3 minutes. First Cleaner-Scavenger, 4 minutes.

- The reground Rougher concentrate feeds the First Cleaner. First Cleaner concentrate feeds the Second Cleaner and Second Cleaner Concentrate feeds the Third Cleaner. The Third Cleaner concentrate is the final concentrate.

- It is common to evaluate some reagents in the cleaner circuit. The Type and dosage depend on the ore type and mineralogy.

- A Locked Cycle Test should be performed at the end of the testing program to confirm the results from batch flotation test.

Please join and login to participate and leave a comment.