National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Moscow, Russia:

Filippov L. O., Professor, Doctor of Earth Sciences (France)

Matinin A. S., First Category Engineer, e-mail: alexsmat@misis.ru

Lekhatinov Ch. A., First Category Engineer

The ultrasound influence on the flotation kinetics in reactor-separator was researched for the chalcopyrite (or quartz) mixed mineral system in a multizone flotation machine of reactor-separator type.

A multizone flotation machine has individual zones for air flow dispersion into the sparger`s bubbles and bubbles-particles attachment (or detachment) in the reactor and bubble-mineral aggregates removal into the separator froth. This flotation machine allows to applicate the ultrasound to a selected reactor zone in a continuous slurry stream. The power of ultrasonic source is 120 W. The change range of ultrasound frequency differs from 0 to 27 kHz. The retention time in the ultrasound pan is approximately 0.1 seconds. Therefore, the ultrasound exposure is the pulsed type. The multi-zone flotation machine allows to float 1 kilogramme of ore sample for a total system with a 4.5 liters capacity. System capacity is 2 liters of slurry per minute.

There were used three parameters of the fast/slow floating particles of Kelsall model for the processing results.

According to the ultrasound influence, the chalcopyrite recovery into the bulk concentrate is higher by 15-20 % than under the reagent-only influence. It changes slightly with changing the ultrasound frequency, that can be explained by its small range. According to the Kelsall model, it can be explained by increasing of the flotation rate constant for slow fraction.

The flotation rate of slow fraction increase was multiplied by 6 times and flotation rate of fast fraction increased by 8 % with an ultrasound influence.

Increased kinetics can be explained by three hypotheses:

-the ultrasound allows to detach a selective particle from bubble;

-the ultrasound cavitation processes modify the surface of mineral particles by micro bubbles and facilitate the bubble-particle attachment;

-the ultrasound has an influence on particle collisions probability.

The multizone flotation machine has advantages over other types of flotation machines for this purpose, due to a spatially separation: the flow zone, which allows the ultrasound to have an influence with low energy dissipation. An additional effect of the ultrasound influence is noticed, when the detachment of the gangue minerals from bubbles can be controlled.

This research paper was done with a financial support of a Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation. State Contract from 12.05.2011, No. 16.515.11.5036.

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