The Empirical Prediction of Gas Dispersion Parameters on Mechanical Flotation Cells

Gas dispersion properties include bubble size ( ), gas holdup ( ) and bubble surface area flux ( ) and input power ( ) are effective parameters on flotation performance. During the last 10 years, some investigations have been carried out to measure these parameters in mechanical flotation cells. In this research, some models are created to estimate gas dispersion properties and input power by experimental data. Variables of models are impeller peripheral speed ( ), superficial gas velocity ( ) and pulp density ( ) and final form of models are , , and . According to these equations, most effective variables are , and , respectively.

Effect of solids on pulp and froth properties in flotation

Froth flotation is a widely used process of particle separation exploiting differences in surface properties. It is important to point out that overall flotation performance(grade and recovery) is a consequence of the quality and quantity of the solid particles collected from the pulp phase, transported into the froth phase, and surviving as bubble-particle aggregates into the overflow. This work will focus on studying these phenomena and will incorporate the effects of particle hydrophobicities in the 3-phase system. Solids are classed as either hydrophilic non-sulphide gangue(e.g. silica, talc), hydrophilic sulphide(e.g. pyrite), or hydrophobic sulphide(e.g. sphalerite). Talc is a surface-active species of gangue that has been shown to behave differently from silica(frother adsorbs on the surface of talc particles). Both are common components of ores and will be studied in detail. The focus of this work is to investigate the role of solids on pulp hydrodynamics, froth bubble coalescence intensity, water overflow rate with solids present, and in particular, the interactions between solids, frother and gas on the gas dispersion parameters. The results show that in the pulp zone there is no effect of solids on bubble size and gas holdup; in the froth zone, although hydrophilic particles solely do not effect on the water overflow rate, hydrophobic particles produce higher intensity of rates on water overflow and bubble coalescence, and many be attributed to the water reattachment.

The Effects of Frothers and Particles on the Characteristics of Pulp and Froth Properties in Flotation—A Critical Review

The pulp and froth zones are the main components of froth flotation as it defines both quality of the end product and overall efficiency. The importance of the properties of the two zones, which include pulp hydrodynamics, froth bubble coalescence rate, water overflow rate, air recovery, etc., is being increasingly recognized. The properties are depending not only on the type and concentration of the frother but also on the nature and amount of the particles present in the flotation system, and as well as the frother-particle interactions and potentially of bubble-particle interactions. To date, there is no specific criterion to quantify pulp and froth properties through the interactions between frothers and particles because the various related mechanisms occurring in the pulp and froth are not fully understood. Linking the properties to the metallurgical performance is also challenged. In order to better understand the effect of these issues in flotation, in this review paper, the past and recently published articles relevant to characterizations of pulp and froth properties are widely reviewed;the findings and the gap of knowledge in this area are highlighted for further research.

Separation of Fine Particles by Using Colloidal Gas Aphrons

This paper presents a method of separation of fine particles, of the order of a few microns or less, from aqueous media by flotation using colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) generated in aqueous solutions. More than 150 experiments were conducted to study the effects of surfactant type, surfactant concentration, CGAs flow rate, and particle concentration on the removal efficiency (fine particles of polystyrene were used as a target compound). The results indicate that CGAs, generated from cationic surfactant of hexdecyltrimethyl ammonicum bromide (HTAB) and anionic surfactant of sodium dodecylbenzne sulfonate (SDBS), are an effective method for the separation off ine particles of polystyrene from wastewater. The flotation yields are higher than 97%.

Separation of Organic Dyes from Water by Colloidal Gas Aphrons

Colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) are micron sized gas bubbles produced by stirring surfactant solutions at high speed. A single CGA dispersed in water is composed of a gaseous inner core, surrounded by a double water soapy layer. CGAs have large interfacial area per unit volume and exhibit relatively high stability. These characteristics make CGAs very suitable in flotation systems. This paper studied the flotation of organic dyes from water using CGAs. The experimental results show that the flotation process may follow four mechanisms, i.e., ion coupling of the oppositely charged species of the surfactant forming the CGA and the organic dye, reactions between CGA and the organic dye, ion dye complex adsorbed on the surface of CGAs, and hydrophilic or hydrophobic characteristics of the organic dyes.

Overview of Particles and Bubbles in Continuously Cast Steel

This paper gives an overview of phenomena associated with particles and bubbles in continuously cast steel. During steel processing from deoxidation to solidification the inclusion population undergoes changes with opportunities of removal. Flotation is an important separation mechanism. Inclusion particles may accumulate in the solidifying strand, thus forming enriched bands, which depend on the type of casting machine. Bubbles are created during inert gas injection. They also change in size, can float out, but also form accumulation bands. The interaction of bubbles and particles is discussed. Internal structure that recently has been observed on the inner surface of bubbles will be reviewed.