Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

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Zinc sulphate addition point (Pb/Zn flotation) (5 replies and 1 comment)

J
JDTaylor
6 years ago
JDTaylor 6 years ago

I'm soon to be running a plant trial of ZnSO4 (as a sphalerite depressant). Where is the most effective addition point? Grinding or pre-flotation conditioner? Any references much appreciated. Thanks

J
Jorge
6 years ago
Jorge 6 years ago
1 like by David

ZnSO4 should be added in the grinding circuit and a small dosage in the flotation circuit. Also, it' is common to add ZnSO4 in the regrind circuit. The dosage and distribution depends on the mineralogical characteristics of the ore. For example, if there is activated sphalerite in the lead or copper flotation circuit, the addition of zinc sulphate will not be very useful. It is important to mention that the addition of ZnSO4 and NaCN are important to depress sphalerite and pyrite in lead or copper flotation circuit. The testing program will give an indication of the effect of zinc sulphate.

C
ChrisBucknell
6 years ago
ChrisBucknell 6 years ago
1 like by David

Agree with Jorge.

J
JDTaylor
6 years ago
JDTaylor 6 years ago

Yes we've already undertaken a full testing program,but this program only looked at ZnSO4 in the grinding. A reasonable reduction in Zn losses to concentrate was seen so that's why we want to proceed with the trial. I'll have a look at split addition options between grinding and flotation - thanks for the idea.

Jorge - in your experience what would be a 'normal' dosage rate? Our tests are indicating between 50-60 g/t/%Zn.

NaCN is a no go for this site unfortunately but would be something I'd try in a heartbeat..

J
Jorge
6 years ago
Jorge 6 years ago
1 like by David

I think you should increase the dosage, it seems low. For example, if the head grade reports 1% Pb and 3% Zn, the addition of ZnSO4 could be 700 g/t in grinding, 100 g/t in rougher flotation. In this case, activated sphalerite is not a problem.  NaCN should be added in the grinding circuit (e.g. 20-30 g/t). In some cases, operations add Sodium Metabisulphite (e.g.100 g/t) to improve the depressing action on pyrite and sphalerite. The best way to evaluate the effect of depressors is to perform kinetic flotation tests. The rougher circuit is the key point to evaluate the reagents.

Other parameters to evaluate is the effect of particle size on the sphalerite displacement, the type and dosage of collector, and the pH. The Mineralogy is a useful tool in the testing program. Finally, you have to evaluate the flotation operator because it will be necessary to repeat the tests, if the reproducibility is not good, it will be difficult to get a reasonable conclusion on the metallurgical performance,  

N
naveen.singani
6 years ago

Adding ZnSO4 in cleaner cell will be very benefit. If we r adding in grinding it will depress Zn which we have to recover in Zn bay.

J
J. Neumann
6 years ago
J. Neumann 6 years ago

Optimal to add ZnSO4 in first stage of Grinding and Collector in last stage of Grinding or at the conditioner (try not to add ZnSO4 and Collectors at the same stage).

You might also try small amounts of starch in the last stage of Grinding or the conditioner for pyrite depression.  It will, however, depress some Cu.

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