Mackay, I;
Cilliers, JJ;
Videla, AR;
Brito-Parada, PR;
(2018)
Optimising froth stability of copper flotation tailings.
In:
Proceedings of IMPC 2018 - 29th International Mineral Processing Congress.
(pp. pp. 1730-1738).
IMPC: Moscow, Russia.
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Abstract
Linking results from laboratory scale experiments to industrial flotation behaviour is challenging. Typically, such experiments involve batch tests in which the system does not operate at steady-state, making it difficult to infer the effects that operating conditions have on flotation performance. In order to overcome this limitation a 4-litre recirculating tank was previously developed at Imperial College London. This tank is capable of reaching, and operating at, steady-state by recycling overflowing concentrate back into the feed. As well as instruments to control operating conditions, it is fitted with a system of sensors that allow the surface of the froth to be dynamically monitored. From this information, it is possible to measure the air recovery a proxy for froth stability. Thus, this bench-scale tank can be used to understand the effect of differing operating conditions on flotation performance at steady state. However, so far, this cell has only been used to investigate idealised systems with only one or two species. Reprocessing of tailings dams is not only environmentally desirable but also increasingly economically feasible due to the declining head grades of primary deposits. There is also the added benefit of no further milling being required prior to flotation. However, the effects of fine and ultrafine particles on froth stability are not yet fully understood. In this work, the bench-scale continuous tank has been used for the first time to determine the flotation response of a complex feed, consisting of samples from a copper tailings dam, to changes in operating conditions. It was shown that the froth stability in the system is comparable to that of previous work and industrial tests, with a peak in air recovery being found at a superficial gas velocity of 1.13 cm/s. There is scope to optimise the froth stability of tailings flotation for enhanced metallurgical performance.
| Type: | Proceedings paper |
|---|---|
| Title: | Optimising froth stability of copper flotation tailings |
| Event: | IMPC 2018 - 29th International Mineral Processing Congress |
| ISBN-13: | 9787030227119 |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Publisher version: | http://impc-council.com/about-us/about-impc/ |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Froth flotation, Stability, Air Recovery, Copper Tailings, Continuous Flotation |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Chemical Engineering |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10114198 |
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