Gravity Separation & Concentration Methods

Gravity Separation & Concentration Methods

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Method of processing barite & Beneficiation process (11 replies)

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

I'm working on beneficiation of barium sulfate from low grade barite ore (64.2% BaSO4) in presence of 28.01 SiO2 and 4.8 PbO.  4.8% PbO with 28% SiO2. We want to achieve min 4.2 S.G with less than 250 ppm Lead. (OCMA Standard) Does anyone have any experiences on such ore. What is the common barite beneficiation process?

Is it possible to remove galena with using gravity methods or I have to use flotation? What is the best Method of processing barite?

Bob Mathias
8 years ago
Bob Mathias 8 years ago

It depends on size range the galena is in. Gravity separation of galena is possible IF the galena is liberated and mostly coarse. If the galena is finely disseminated you may need flotation.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

Galena is liberated in -106+75 fraction with 81%.

Bob Mathias
8 years ago
Bob Mathias 8 years ago

Mesh or microns? If mesh tables or spirals (or centrifuges) may work, if microns flotation.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

The liberation degrees are in micron. Do I have first use gravity separation and then flotation or using flotation from first? Does flotation work as an economic method for barite?

Bob Mathias
8 years ago
Bob Mathias 8 years ago

You could use a gravity process, and it may help. As to the economics of flotation, that is entirely project specigic, and must be calculated.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

Could you please recommend me some paper about separation of galena from barite with using flotation and gravity method?

Bob Mathias
8 years ago
Bob Mathias 8 years ago

The more common approach (and the bulk of the printed (digital) information) is on floating the barite while depressing the gangue. this is because barite is usually found with other oxides in particular iron oxides. With sulfides present it could be tricky, and unfortunately I am not aware of any information on this.

JohnnyD
8 years ago
JohnnyD 8 years ago

A combination of classification (initially screens to remove the coarser 'impurities', then hydrocyclones to remove the finer 'impurities' with some barite loss), gravity (calcite/fluorspar/silica from barite and sulphides from barite) and flotation (oleic acid/alkyl sulphonates/sulphates with sodium silicate as the dispersant and neutral to alkaline pH - barite is depressed at acidic pHs). However the flowsheet will be dependent upon the minerals present, size ranges and some testwork is required : firstly characterization of each ore type (mineralogy, size-assay analysis, associations, etc.) and then a scoping program looking at the amenability of each ore type to the various separation options. Then the most appropriate combination of methods, including crushing and grinding requirements, can be tested and developed into a flowsheet. Section 29-2 of the old 'bible' SME Mineral Processing Handbook, Volume 2, has some descriptions of processes employed in the 1980s. There is no doubt considerably more literature out there - so I would strongly recommend that you undertake a literature search at your earliest convenience and become better acquainted with the mechanisms and issues concerning the recovery of barite from ores.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

Depending on sizing and degree of liberation, FLSmidth gravity separation unit Reflux™ Classifier can be used to remove the silica (and the lights) in the first unit and the first unit underflow would be the feed to the second unit where the barite would be the overflow and galena would be the underflow. Unit can operate down to 50-75 microns.A test work either Lab Scale or Pilot scale shall be required to establish the result.

(unknown)
8 years ago
(unknown) 8 years ago

To comment on the suitability any gravity separation application the following information (as a minimum) is required:

  1. The degree of liberation of the minerals to be separated.
  2. The sizing (PSD) of each mineral in the feed
  3. The percentage of each mineral to be separated
  4. Feed variability issues

Also one needs to understand that gravity separation looks at the probability of mineral particles going to overflow or underflow (or mids with some equipment).

In your case a lot more details are required before looking at the suitability of fully gravity circuit/s. 

David
8 years ago
David 8 years ago

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