Interactive effects of the type of milling media and CuSO4 addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part II: Froth stability

Ekmekci, Z., Bradshaw, D. J., Harris, P. J. and Buswell, A. M. (2006) Interactive effects of the type of milling media and CuSO4 addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part II: Froth stability. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 78 3: 164-174.


Author Ekmekci, Z.
Bradshaw, D. J.
Harris, P. J.
Buswell, A. M.
Title Interactive effects of the type of milling media and CuSO4 addition on the flotation performance of sulphide minerals from Merensky ore Part II: Froth stability
Journal name International Journal of Mineral Processing  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2006-02
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.minpro.2005.10.003
Volume number 78
Issue number 3
ISSN 0301-7516
Start page 164
End page 174
Total pages 11
Place of publication Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher Elsevier BV
Language eng
Subject 290702 Mineral Processing
Abstract The limitations of pulp chemistry measurements in the flotation of a platinum group mineral (PGM) bearing Merensky ore were demonstrated in Part 1 of this article. In this paper the importance of the contribution of the froth structure due to changing froth stability is analysed using the batch flotation data. The effects of mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS) milling media and the addition of copper sulphate on the flotation performance of the sulphide minerals in Merensky ore have been evaluated in relation to the changes in stability of the froth phase. The effects of pulp chemistry and froth stability on the flotation of sulphide minerals were distinguished by using two different rate constants (kt and kw). The rate constant (kw) calculated as a function of cumulative water recovery was used to describe characteristics of froth phase and kt was calculated as a function of flotation time. The results revealed that the type of grinding media and copper sulphate addition had an interactive effect on the froth stability. While mild steel (MS) milling increased the froth stability due to the presence of hydrophilic iron hydroxides and colloidal metallic iron, the addition of copper sulphate reduced the stability, especially with stainless steel (SS) milling. Copper sulphate addition had a dual role in the flotation of Merensky ore in that it caused destabilisation of the froth zone as well as activation of selected sulphide minerals. The dominant effect was found to depend on the type of milling media and floatability of the mineral in question and this work has demonstrated the importance of using a combination of measurements to evaluate flotation performance holistically.
Keyword Milling media
Copper sulphate
Sulphide minerals
Froth stability
Q-Index Code C1

 
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Created: Fri, 19 Feb 2010, 15:39:40 EST by Rosalind Blair on behalf of Sustainable Minerals Institute