Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

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The effect of water quality on flotation (1 reply)

b
Robert
6 years ago
Robert 6 years ago

The effect of water quality on flotation is a common issue when designing and when operating concentrators. Liu et al. (2013) reviewed existing studies on water quality variation in flotation and developed a framework and analysis around three aspects:

  • causes of water quality variation,
  • consequences of water quality variation
  • solutions for problems caused by water quality variation

Based on the three aspects, a framework was developed, with which these studies were categorized and structured.

Take a look, what do you think?

 

Liu, WY et al., A review of the effect of water quality on flotation, Minerals Engineering, 53, 2013, 91-100.

http://www.enm.ucn.cl/intranet_enm_ucn/claroline1107/programas/APMMGM8/document/A_review_of_the_effect_of_water_quality_on_flotation_2013.pdf

As water resources become scarcer and society’s demands to reduce freshwater extraction have increased, mine sites have been increasing water reuse and accessing multiple water sources for mineral processing to save freshwater, particularly in froth flotation. Implementation of either strategy may lead to water quality variation that may impact flotation efficiency. A large number of studies have been carried out to enhance the understanding of water quality variation in flotation. However, these studies tend to be performed on a case by case basis. There is a lack of a framework to put together these existing studies, which makes it difficult to understand the topic comprehensively and therefore difficult to identify gaps and directions for future research. This would eventually hinder the ongoing implementation of water conservation practices and thus lead to more pressure being placed on freshwater. In this paper, a review of the existing studies on water quality variation in flotation is given in three aspects: causes of water quality variation, consequences of water quality variation and solutions for problems caused by water quality variation. Based on the three aspects, a framework was developed, with which these studies were categorized and structured. Organizing literature in this way makes it possible to identify gaps in current research and future research directions.

b
Robert
6 years ago
Robert 6 years ago

Another useful summary of the impact of water in flotation was provided by the following paper:

Levay, G., et al., The impact of water quality on flotation performance, JSAIMM, vol. 101, 2001, 69-75

https://www.saimm.co.za/Journal/v101n02p069.pdf

Water represents 80–85% of the volume of mineral pulp processed in flotation circuits. Imperatives for a more detailed focus on circuit water quality and its control have come from increasing requirements to use relatively impure primary water supplies (e.g. high salinity, treated sewage) and high proportions of recycle from tailings dams, thickener overflows, dewatered and filter products. An integrated methodology for examining process water quality and its effect on minerals separation was developed coupled with minerals surface chemistry across the complete processing circuit. Unrecognised factors, including varying proportions of water streams (daily or hourly), colloidal precipitation, highly variable pH and Eh, reaction and dissolution of minerals, minerals surface layer coatings, residual reagents and their reaction products, and microbiological activity have been studied in eight mineral processing circuits.

The methodology combines:

  • solution survey and modelling;
  • microbiological surveys;
  • minerals surface analysis and modelling; and
  • process response.

It has been possible to match the predicted (model) pulp chemistry with that measured from surveys of the solution and mineral surfaces.

Treatment methods have included:

  • monitored and balanced stream combinations;
  • organic species removal;
  • flocculation and aggregation;
  • induced precipitation;
  • dissolved air flotation;
  • ageing (oxidation, UV exposure); and
  • chemical surface conditioning of minerals.

Some specific achievements from the methodology applied in plant and laboratory testing, with examples from case studies, are described.

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