VNII Galurgii JSC (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

Afonina E. I., Deputy Head of Laboratory, elena.afonina@uralkali.com
Titkov S. N., Director of Technological Research Section, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Stanislav.Titkov@uralkali.com
Teleshev D. K., Senior Researcher

Uralkaly PJSC (Berezniki, Russia)
Aliferova S. N., Deputy Technical Director, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Preliminary desliming is a critical process for the flotation treatment of potash ores of various compositions, which typically involves the use of a primary aliphatic C16–C20 cationic collector for sylvite (KCl) flotation. This article presents the results of extensive laboratory studies of the use of column flotation for desliming of potash ores of various compositions, followed by sylvite flotation. The research highlights that separating water-insoluble silicate-carbonate-anhydrite impurities (sludge) in an ascending aerated flow with minimal aerohydrodynamic disturbance on flocculated sludge particles allows for more efficient flotation of sludge with reduced flocculant consumption. Furthermore, the process minimizes the co-flotation of salt particles (potassium and sodium chlorides) with the sludge, thereby improving the selectivity of desliming and maximizing KCl recovery in the final concentrate. Additionally, this approach reduces sludge waste generation and enhances environmental sustainability by decreasing the amount of waste sent for storage. When compared to mechanical flotation machines, column flotation of deslimed ore from the Verkhnekamskoye deposit shows superior selectivity, yielding a concentrate with approximately 92 % potassium chloride by weight in the main sylvite flotation stage. Pilot tests conducted at PJSC Uralkali have verified the effectiveness of column flotation for potash ore desliming. Trials at the flotation plant of the Third Berezniki Mining Administration have demonstrated that the use of column flotation simplifies the desliming process, reducing it from a four-stage process to a single-stage operation. Consequently, the column flotation technology has been incorporated into the design for the upgraded potash flotation plants at PJSC Uralkali.

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