Case studies on the performance and characterisation of the froth phase in industrial flotation circuits

This paper deals with two separate case studies investigating the froth phase performance and characterisation of two industrial rougher/scavenger flotation circuits. Froth phase performance was quantified using a mass balance approach to estimate froth zone recovery. Measured characteristics of the froth phase included frother solution concentration determined by gas chromatography, and the time taken for an equilibrium froth sample to decay to one-half of its original froth height. The latter measurement is referred to as the ‘froth half-life’ and is strongly linked to froth stability. Special methods and techniques developed to preserve frother in solution and to measure froth half-life are briefly described. The frother type in the first case study was a mixture of straight and branched alcohols, whilst the frother type in the second case study was a mixture of alcohols, aldehydes and triethoxybutane. The first case study focussed on a flotation circuit treating a low grade ore containing only a small fraction of floatable copper sulphide minerals, while the second case study focussed on a flotation circuit treating a higher grade complex sulphide ore containing significant quantities of chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and pyrite.It was found that froth zone recovery of valuable mineral generally decreased down-the-bank of the two industrial rougher/scavenger circuits. Moreover, decreases in froth zone recovery significantly limit the overall cell recovery of valuable mineral achievable from the plant scavenger cells. However, the decrease in froth zone recovery could not be linked to the removal of frother from the pulp solution to the concentrate product in the preceding rougher flotation stages. Measurements of residual frother in solution suggested that, approximately, only 5–10% of the added frother was removed into the rougher/scavenger concentrate, with the remainder appearing in the scavenger tailings. This finding suggested there was apparently adequate frother in solution in the scavenger stages.There was, however, a correlation to the froth half-life, with the froth half-life also generally decreasing down-the-bank. A simple, empirical model, based on the froth half-life and froth residence time of gas, is proposed here to predict froth zone recovery. Further, it is proposed that the froth stability, as measured by the froth half-life, is strongly linked to the presence of particles in the froth, with poorly mineralised scavenger froth characterised by a short half-life and, potentially, a low froth zone recovery. The importance of particles on froth stability was confirmed in separately conducted laboratory experiments. These experiments also demonstrated the wide variation in froth stability behaviour between different frother types.     

Flotation frother mixtures: Decoupling the sub-processes of froth stability,froth recovery and entrainment

The flotation process consists of two distinct phases: the pulp and froth phase. One of the main roles of the froth phase is to create a suitable environment for the separation of floatable, valuable minerals from non-selectively recovered, entrained gangue minerals. As a result the froth phase plays a significant role in the metallurgical performance of industrial flotation cells. Froth stability is important for the recovery of valuable minerals. However, a stable froth may contribute to increased entrainment and, consequently, a lower grade.This study compares the effect of frother mixtures with that of their single component frothers on the froth stability, froth recovery and entrainment of a platinum-bearing UG2 ore using polyglycol and alcohol frothers. The study showed that frother mixtures resulted in a greater froth stability than either of their component frothers. The increased froth stability was reflected in increased froth recoveries and greater overall recoveries. However, the important aspect in the use of frother blends was that they altered the froth structure and resulted in a lower degree of entrainment. This, together with the increased recovery, resulted in higher grades of valuable mineral recovered to the concentrate when using the frother mixtures.     

浮选过程中的泡沫夹带研究进展

细粒矿物浮选过程中,亲水的脉石矿物泡沫夹带进入精矿中,导致精矿品位降低。揭示泡沫排液及排脉石过程中的相关理论,可以为浮选泡沫结构及泡沫夹带行为的研究提供理论基础。浮选过程中的脉石泡沫夹带是一种普遍现象,脉石夹带回收率与精矿水回收率呈线性关系;两相泡沫排液受重力、毛细作用力(表面张力)、黏滞力控制,不同含液率的两相泡沫排液遵循不同的排液公式;三相泡沫的排脉石过程遵循对流—扩散模型,脉石的夹带回收率受三相泡沫排液速率及脉石颗粒浓度分布控制。浮选操作条件、亲水脉石的特性、矿浆特性以及泡沫结构是影响泡沫夹带的主要因素;优化浮选操作条件,改变浮选流程结构和改变药剂制度可以有效降低脉石的泡沫夹带,提高浮选选择性。未来,还需开发表征浮选三相泡沫特征的方法、装置或仪器,三相泡沫的结构及形态、疏水矿物颗粒与亲水脉石颗粒在泡沫中的运动路径及分布规律、浮选三相泡沫排液及排脉石的数学模型还需要进一步的细致研究。另外,降低脉石泡沫夹带的技术对于部分浮选体系虽有一定效果,但脉石的泡沫夹带尚难以消除,须开发一些革命性的技术。     

On the detachment of hydrophobic particles from the froth phase

We conducted an experimental study to investigate the behaviour of hydrophobic particles in the froth phase of a laboratory column. A stable froth was formed by passing the air through a porous disk into the liquid containing frother. Individual bubbles were loaded with hydrophobic particles separately in a fluidised bed and allowed to rise into the froth layer. Particles dislodged from the froth were collected and measured. The effect of collector concentration and superficial gas velocity on the detachment of particles from the froth was studied. The results showed that fraction of particles detaching from the froth decreases exponentially with increase in the collector concentration and increases slightly with superficial gas velocity. In general, low froth dropback values were obtained for the conditions studied in the present system which are considerably lower than the previously reported values.     

Effect of entrainment in bubble load measurement on froth recovery estimation at industrial scale

Froth recovery was calculated in a 130 m³ mechanical cell of a rougher flotation circuit. This was done by bubble load determinations along with mass balance surveys. Valuable grade in the bubble load decreased in the −38 μm due to fine particles entrained to the chamber of the device. The effect of fine particle entrainment on froth recovery was evaluated. A comparison between results from the raw bubble load data (assuming all particles were transported by true flotation) with those from corrected bubble load information (subtracting fine particle entrainment) was carried out. Entrainment occurred due to hydraulic transport in the bubble rear, which corresponds to the worst case scenario for froth recovery estimation. Results showed that the relative error was less than 0.3%, which allowed validation of the bubble load measurement as an effective methodology for froth recovery estimation at industrial scale.     

Adsorption of copper sulphate on PGM-bearing ores and its influence on froth stability and flotation kinetics

Copper sulphate is used as an activator in the flotation of base metal sulphides as it promotes the interaction of collector molecules with mineral surfaces. It has been used as an activator in certain platinum group mineral (PGM) flotation operations in South Africa although the mechanisms by which improvements in flotation performance are achieved are not well understood. Some investigations have suggested these changes in flotation performance are due to changes in the froth phase rather than activation of minerals by true flotation in the pulp zone. In the present study, the effect of copper sulphate on froth stability was investigated on two PGM containing ores, namely Merensky and UG2 (Upper Group 2) ores from the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Froth stability tests were conducted using a non-overflowing froth stability column. Zeta potential tests and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tests were used to confirm the adsorption of reagents onto pure minerals commonly found in the two ores. The results of full-scale UG2 concentrator on/off copper sulphate tests are also presented. The UG2 ore showed a substantial decrease in froth stability in the order of reagent addition: no reagents > copper > xanthate > copper + xanthate, while Merensky ore showed a slight decrease. It was shown through zeta potential measurements that copper species were to be found on plagioclase, chromite, talc and pyrrhotite surfaces and through EDTA extraction that this copper was in the form of almost equal amounts of Cu(OH)₂ and chemically reacted copper ions on the Merensky and UG2 ore surfaces. In certain cases, the presence of copper sulphate and xanthate substantially increased the recovery, and therefore the implied hydrophobicity, of pure minerals in a frothless microflotation device. It was, therefore, proposed that increases in hydrophobicity beyond an optimum contact angle for froth stability, were the cause of instabilities in the froth phase and these were found to impact grade and recovery in a full-scale concentrator. Differences in the extent of froth phase effects between the different ores can be attributed to differences in mineralogy.     

Application of hydrophobic and magnetic plastic particles for enhanced flotation recovery

The effect of hydrophobic and magnetic plastic particles having a contact angle of around 83° on flotation performance was evaluated using coal particles of varying degrees of floatability. The magnetic plastic material were recovered by a low intensity magnetic separator and recycled back to the flotation feed for re-use. Flotation rate tests conducted on coal using a conventional cell proved that combustible recovery and flotation rate were significantly enhanced with the addition of the plastic particles, especially for difficult-to-float coals, which was corroborated by flotation column tests. Carrying capacity and particle size-by-size flotation tests further showed that the magnetic plastic particles preferentially increased the recovery of coarse particles by as much as 35 absolute percentage points due to froth stabilization which reduced the selective detachment of coarse and/or weakly hydrophobic particles. The enhanced flotation recovery was attributed to the influence on liquid drainage rate in the froth zone, froth stability, bubble coalescence and flotation rates.     

Investigating froth stability: A comparative study of ionic strength and frother dosage

Valuable mineral recoveries and grades are strongly dependent on the stability of the froth phase within the flotation system; a stable froth zone allows for the efficient transportation of material for downstream processing, while entrainment of gangue is directly proportional to the amount of water recovered from the froth phase (Engelbrecht and Woodburn, 1975, Zheng et al., 2006a, Zheng et al., 2006b, Neethling and Cilliers, 2002). In an attempt to reduce the naturally floatable gangue (NFG) present in platinum bearing ores and to improve the grades of the valuable minerals, the use of high depressant dosages have been investigated. These high depressant dosages have significantly destabilised the froth phase in a number of studies (Bradshaw et al., 2005, Martinovic et al., 2005, Wiese, 2009). Wiese et al. (2010) has shown that an increase in frother dosage impacted the stability of the froth resulting in enhanced recovery of valuable minerals. In a separate study by Corin et al. (2011), the effect of an increase in the ionic strength of plant water on the stability of the froth was considered. As water restrictions become more stringent, many operations are recycling and reusing their process water causing an increase in the amount of dissolved ions present in the water, the effects of which are little understood. The same study also considered depressant addition at high dosages. It was noted that an increase in the ionic strength of the plant water increased the froth stability. This paper therefore compares the outcomes of increased frother dosage with increased ionic strength, and attempts to better understand the factors which influence the froth stability. The data presented in this paper forms part of much larger studies and complementary data has been published elsewhere (Wiese and Harris, 2012, Manono et al., 2012, Manono et al., 2013).     

Estimation of platinum flotation grades from froth image data

Features extracted online from froth images on flotation plants are potentially useful to the development of advanced control for flotation systems, provided that these features can be related to the key indicator variables of the plant, such as valuable metal loadings and recovery. Although such relationships have been established in a number of base metal plants in industry, this is not the case in the platinum industry. In this paper, estimation of flotation grades and recoveries from froth image data is therefore considered based on laboratory and industrial plant data. It is shown that grades and recoveries can be reliably estimated from a number of different features by use of linear and nonlinear models. This includes simple colour information that on the industrial plant showed a strong correlation with grade measurement.     

The influence of submicron particles and salt on the recovery of coarse particles

Coarse particles are more difficult to float. One of the factors that contributes to poor floatability is the stability of froth. The froth formed in industrial flotation cells is typically not strong enough to provide adequate support for coarse and dense particles. The present study investigates how the presence of hydrophobic submicron particles at low concentration increases the recovery of relatively coarse particles through improvement in the froth stability. Silica particles with d₈₀ of approximately 230 μm were floated in a laboratory mechanical flotation cell in a collector-free environment in the presence of poly(propylene glycol) 425 as a frothing agent. The hydrophobicity of the feed particles was modified through an esterification process with different alcohols ranging from 3 to 8 hydrocarbon groups to form a coating of intermediate hydrophobicity. Hydrophobised silica submicron particles of 300 nm in size were added to the flotation cell at 0.01 and 0.1 wt% concentration. The effect of electrolyte, sodium chloride, in the concentration range 10⁻⁵–10⁻¹ M on the recovery of coarse particles was also investigated. For the feed employed, 1-butanol was found to provide relatively good flotation properties with a possibility for improvement by stabilising the froth phase. Both additives slightly stabilised the froth phase, which resulted in an increase in the maximum recovery of up to approximately 8%. It appeared that the additives had no significant effect on the first-order flotation rate constant.     

Selective detachment process in column flotation froth

The selectivity in flotation columns involving the separation of particles of varying degrees of floatability is based on differential flotation rates in the collection zone, reflux action between the froth and collection zones, and differential detachment rates in the froth zone. Using well-known theoretical models describing the separation process and experimental data, froth zone and overall flotation recovery values were quantified for particles in an anthracite coal that have a wide range of floatability potential. For highly floatable particles, froth recovery had a very minimal impact on overall recovery while the recovery of weakly floatable material was decreased substantially by reductions in froth recovery values. In addition, under carrying-capacity limiting conditions, selectivity was enhanced by the preferential detachment of the weakly floatable material. Based on this concept, highly floatable material was added directly into the froth zone when treating the anthracite coal. The enriched froth phase reduced the product ash content of the anthracite product by five absolute percentage points while maintaining a constant recovery value.     

Dynamic characterization of column flotation process laboratory case study

The objective of metallurgical column control is to achieve the economic optimum combination of concentrate grade and mineral recovery for any given feed. Metal prices and the cost of consumables will dictate the metallurgical concentrate and mineral recovery targets. Furthermore, experience has shown that collection zone height, air holdup and bias water flow rate are key parameters (controlled variables) that affect metallurgical performance. The collection zone height is related, mainly, with the residence time of the particles inside the collection zone, air holdup is correlated to the available surface area of air bubbles and bias water flow rate is an indirect measure of the cleaning action of the froth zone. However, these variables cannot be directly manipulated. Instead, wash water, air and underflow flowrates are the directly manipulated variables [1]. Therefore, if dynamic relationships could be established between the three manipulated variables and the three controlled variables, column metallurgical control may be improved. This study was an attempt to model these relationships using a tool known as System Identification, that includes Transient Analysis.The study consists in experimental tests, transient response analysis and identification of black box type models with cross validation.The experimental work was performed in a pilot scale laboratory flotation column of 3.2 m high by 80 mm of diameter. This flotation column operates in a plant with all the required instrumentation installed. The study considers the operation of the two phase air-water system.     

The role of a flash flotation circuit in an industrial refractory gold concentrator

In order to determine the contribution of the flash flotation circuit to the overall plant performance of the Kanowna Belle concentrator, two survey campaigns both with and without the flash circuit in operation have been conducted on two distinctly different ore types: a very high grade ore, and a very low grade ore of higher hardness. Using two different ores with the same target valuable mineral species (gold and pyrite) through the same treatment route allows any trends in performance to be more easily identified. As both survey campaigns involved running the plant with and without the flash flotation circuit in operation, the significant contribution of the flash flotation cell to overall plant recovery and final concentrate grade is highlighted. The flash circuit on this plant may be considered as the primary rougher, contributing in excess of 42% of the valuable material that is recovered to the final concentrate stream, at a grade of approximately 35% sulphur; and in-so-doing reducing the overall plant footprint that would otherwise be required to achieve the same recoveries at the target concentrate grade.Mineralogical analysis of survey samples shows that the feed to the flash flotation cell (cyclone underflow) is of a much higher grade and contains a higher proportion of well liberated valuable material as compared to the conventional flotation circuit feed (cyclone overflow). Maximising the recovery of this material before it re-enters the milling circuit should be of paramount importance to optimising overall plant performance.When the flash flotation circuit is taken off-line the recovery of sulphur (and hence pyrite) is observed to decrease dramatically, and whilst the recovery of gold also decreases, it is to a much lesser extent. The difference in the recoveries of gold and pyrite that is observed without the flash flotation circuit in operation is most likely attributable to a change in the way the gold is being liberated as a function of the change in grinding circuit operation that is required when the flash circuit is taken off-line. The distribution of valuable material in the cyclone overflow stream (conventional flotation feed) undergoes a step change when the flash circuit is taken off-line with an increase in the amount of valuable fines being generated, which is further reflected in the flotation tails with a higher proportion of both pyrite and gold being present in the intermediate and fine size classes. This increase in the amount of pyrite fines in particular may have contributed to the loss in recovery that was observed when the flash flotation circuit was taken off-line.Pulp chemistry data from various points around the flotation circuit highlight the different processing conditions in the flash cell, compared to the conventional circuit, which will impact on the type of minerals able to be recovered by flotation, as well as reagent selection for this type of processing application.     

The effect of frother blends on the flotation performance of selected PGM bearing ores

Concentrators processing PGM bearing ores make use of polysaccharide depressants to reduce the recovery of the undesired naturally floatable gangue minerals, mainly silicates, present in the ore. Recent work has shown that high depressant dosages can completely depress naturally floatable gangue and thus prevent it from reporting to the concentrate. These high depressant dosages can, however, have a negative effect on the recovery of valuable minerals present in the ore by reducing the stability of the froth. In order to counterbalance the effects of depressant addition, frothers are added. It is, however, preferable to maintain independent control over bubble size and froth stability which is difficult to achieve with only one frother. An alternative strategy is to use a blend of frothers, e.g. a weaker frother in combination with a stronger frother. Such a system allows an additional degree of freedom: changing the ratio of the two frothers provides more independent control of bubble size and froth stability. This study demonstrates through the use of batch flotation tests how blending low molecular weight alcohols with commercially available frothers impacts the solids and water recovery, as well as the valuable mineral recovery and concentrate grade in different PGM ores. Higher water and solids recoveries together with higher valuable mineral recoveries (>90% copper and >70% nickel) were obtained from tests using frother blends.     

粗细粒级差异化给矿对浮选柱选别性能的影响

粗细粒级矿物具有不同的浮选特性,浮选柱主要应用于精选作业的细粒级矿物分选,对粗颗粒矿物回收率较低,限制了浮选柱的应用。在泡沫层分选理论的基础上,以纯石英矿物(纯度大于99%)为代表矿样,将其分成150~280μm和-15μm粗细粒级两个组分,采用Ф100 mm×2 000 mm浮选柱开展试验考察粗细粒级差异化给矿对选别性能的影响。在一个试验中将粗细粒级矿物混合给入浮选柱泡沫层之下进行常规浮选,在另一个试验中将粗细粒级矿物差异化给入浮选柱泡沫层之上和泡沫层以下分别进行泡沫层分选和常规浮选。试验对比结果表明,粗细粒级差异化给矿提高了浮选柱精矿回收率,对粗颗粒矿物回收效果提升更为显著。     

Assessment of the floatability of chalcopyrite,molybdenite and pyrite using biosolids and their main components as collectors for greening the froth flotation of copper sulphide ores

Biosolids and representative compounds of their main components – humic acids, sugars, and proteins – have been tested as possible environment-friendly collectors and frothers for the flotation of copper sulphide ores. The floatability of chalcopyrite and molybdenite – both valuable sulphide minerals present in these ores – as well as non-valuable pyrite was assessed through Hallimond tube flotation tests. Humic acids exhibit similar collector ability for chalcopyrite and molybdenite as that of a commercial collector (Aero 6697 promoter). Biosolids show more affinity for pyrite. The copper recovery (85.9%) and copper grade (6.7%) of a rougher concentrate obtained using humic acids as main collector for the flotation of a copper sulphide ore from Chile, were very similar to those of a copper concentrate produced by froth flotation under the same conditions with a xanthate type commercial collector. This new and feasible end-use of biosolids and humic acids should be new environment-friendly organic froth flotation agents for greening the concentration of copper sulphide ore. Now, further research is needed in order to scale current laboratory assays to operational mining scales to determine efficiencies to industrial scale.     

浮选泡沫细粒脉石夹带与充气量的关系

为更好地揭示并合理利用浮选过程中细粒脉石的泡沫夹带与充气量的内在联系,采用自制的泡沫特性测试系统,模拟了浮选中充气量对泡沫的特性及脉石的泡沫夹带行为的影响规律。结果表明：在两相体系中,充气量的增大会明显降低泡沫层中气泡的兼并速度,增大泡沫的含液率及泡沫柱表观液流速度,显著提高泡沫水回收速率;在三相体系中,充气量的增大会显著降低泡沫中脉石的回流速度,显著提高顶部泡沫层的脉石质量分数。因此,在浮选过程中,在保证精矿有效回收的前提下,控制充气量是有效控制精矿泡沫夹带脉石的有效手段。     

铜浮选专家控制系统设计与应用

针对国内某选矿厂铜浮选工艺泡沫速率不稳定,精矿品位波动大,回收率不理想等特点,设计了一套浮选专家控制系统,该系统结合泡沫影像分析技术,在线品位分析技术,PID控制与模糊逻辑控制技术。系统架构简明合理,逻辑层次清晰有效,投入运行一段时间后,在不同原矿品位前提下,都能实现稳定泡沫速率,减少精矿品位波动,提高回收率等指标优化,同时药剂添加量也有明显减少。这表明该系统运行效果良好,值得应用推广。     

The froth stability column: Measuring froth stability at an industrial scale

Froth structure and stability are known to play important roles in determining mineral flotation recovery and selectivity. However, measuring froth stability in a consistent manner remains a significant challenge, especially at an industrial scale. Following preliminary tests on a copper concentration plant, a quantitative dynamic stability measure is investigated in this study in order to extend the results over a wider range of conditions and on a different ore body. The technique is based on the Bikerman foam test and uses a non-overflowing froth column to quantify froth stability.Experiments were carried out using an automated version of the froth stability column under different operating conditions. Air flowrate was the key operating variable. Tests were reproduced on a single flotation cell of a Platinum Group Metals concentrator. The froth stability factor, β, was measured for each operating condition, and compared with the air recovery in the cell, α, which was measured using image analysis. The froth stability column results gave the same trends as image analysis. In particular the froth stability factor was found to be linearly related to the actual fraction of air overflowing the cell.The metallurgical results clearly indicated that changes in air flowrate result in variations in flotation performance that can be attributed to changes in froth stability. The results showed that high froth stability conditions occur at intermediate air flowrates, and result in improved flotation performance. It is found that the froth stability column is a simple, cost-effective and reliable method for quantifying froth stability, and for indicating changes in flotation performance.