The Ultimate Guide of Flotation Reagent System

Whether or not flotation can be performed and obtain satisfactory indicators depends largely on the flotation reagent system. In some beneficiation plants that process polymetallic ores or complex refractory ores, the flotation reagent system is a prominent problem in production.

The flotation reagent system mainly includes: the preparation of flotation reagent, the types and dosages of flotation reagent, the order of flotation reagent additions, the adding points and methods of flotation reagent, the time of flotation reagent action, the combination of flotation reagents, the optimal control and adjustment of flotation reagent, etc.

1. Preparation of Flotation Reagents

For the same reagent, when the preparation method is different, the dosage and effect are different. The preparation method mainly depends on the characteristic, function and addition method of the flotation reagent.

We have another article that explains in detail the preparation of flotation reagents.

Common preparation methods are:

• 1)Formulating the Flotation Reagent into Aqueous Solutions;
• 2)Adding Solvent to Dissolve the Flotation Reagent;
• 3)Formulating the Flotation Reagent into Emulsion or Suspension;
• 4)Saponification;
• 5)Emulsification;
• 6)Acidification;
• 7)Adding as the Original Solution;
• 8)Electrochemical treatment

2. Formulate Flotation Scheme

To formulate better flotation scheme, we should analyze the characteristic of the ore and the possible flotation scheme, and refer to the experience of similar plant.

For example, we should use mixed flotation or priority flotation? What kind of mineral should be floated first? What kind of mineral should be inhibited? What kind of mineral should be activated and so on.

Generally we can refer to the following points:

• 1)Float the minerals that are easy to float first, then float the minerals that are difficult to float;
• 2)Inhibit the minerals that are easy to inhibit or have poor floatability, do not inhibit the minerals that are difficult to inhibit or have good floatability;
• 3)When the floatability of minerals is similar, float the minerals with small total amount, and inhibit the minerals with large total amount;
• 4)Activate the minerals with small total amount and inhibit the minerals with large total amount;
• 5)Float high value minerals, inhibit low value minerals;
• 6)Float the minerals with high quality requirements for flotation concentrates and inhibit the minerals with low quality requirements for concentrates.

These experiences are usually feasible, but special circumstances should be treated specially.

3. Choose Flotation Reagent Type

Through the above considerations, we can further formulate a plan for the flotation process and propose a prescription for the flotation reagent. The prescription of the flotation reagent includes which kinds of flotation reagent to use and the approximate range of dosage.

When considering these issues, it is important to refer to similar beneficiation plant’s practices. Several sets of process plans and flotation reagent prescriptions should be proposed first, and 1 to 2 should be selected after comparative analysis, and finally determined through tests.

In the process of analysis, test and research, it is necessary to deal with the following contradictions or interactions:

• 1) The relationship between collection and inhibition;
• 2) The relationship between activation and inhibition;
• 3) The relationship between dispersion and flocculation;
• 4) The relationship between collection and foaming.

4. Reasonable Addition of Flotation Reagent

In order to ensure the best concentration of flotation reagent in the slurry, the flotation reagent must be added reasonably. This includes choosing the appropriate dosing sequence, dosing location, dosing method, etc.

Another reason for reasonable addition is that there are usually several kinds of flotation reagents added to the ore pulp, plus the original components in the ore pulp, the interaction between them is very complicated, and they affect and restrict each other.

A good flotation reagent system can make full use of these effects and exert the efficacy of flotation reagents; however, if the flotation reagents are not added properly, it may cause chaos in the entire process.

Reasonable dosing order, dosing location and dosing method should be selected according to ore characteristics, reagent performance, process requirements, etc.

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5. Mixed Flotation Reagent (Combined Flotation Reagent)

Combined flotation reagent means adding two or more flotation reagents of the same type or different types in a certain proportion to improve the effect. It has been widely adopted in practice.

On the one hand, the reason for the better collection effect of mixed flotation reagent may be the unevenness of the surface of the mineral. Different types and characteristics of the reagent can be selectively adsorbed in different intervals or parts to increase the adsorption density of the reagent on the surface of the mineral and the coverage of the reagent, and increase the hydrophobicity of mineral surface.

On the other hand, it may be due to the "co-adsorption" of different reagents on the mineral surface, which enhances the adsorption of the collector on the mineral surface.

6. Optimal Amount of Flotation Reagent in the Slurry

The optimization and control of the flotation reagent system in the flotation circuit is critical to the stability of the flotation process and to minimize the reagent consumption. We should understand the relationship between various reagents and minerals in the slurry and the concentration of various reagents, establish a mathematical model under different conditions, and find out the various characteristic parameters and then realized with an automatic control system. This can be achieved mainly through the laboratory and industrial tests.

Conclusion

We’ve talked about flotation reagent in this article. To select the appropriate flotation reagent system, we can refer to the above six points, according to the situation of the plant itself and the practical experience of similar plants, and then choose through the test result.