Development and application of a technique for evaluating turbulence in a flotation cell

Tabosa, Erico, Runge, K. and Holtham, Peter N. (2012). Development and application of a technique for evaluating turbulence in a flotation cell. In: Pradip (Conference President), XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012: Conference Proceedings. XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012, New Delhi, India, (5377-5390). 24-28 September 2012.

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Author Tabosa, Erico
Runge, K.
Holtham, Peter N.
Title of paper Development and application of a technique for evaluating turbulence in a flotation cell
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012    (ERA 2010 Rank A)
Conference location New Delhi, India
Conference dates 24-28 September 2012
Proceedings title XXVI International Mineral Processing Congress - IMPC 2012: Conference Proceedings
Editor Pradip (Conference President)
Place published New Delhi, India
Publisher Technowrites
Publication date 2012
ISBN 8190171437
Start page 5377
End page 5390
Total pages 14
Collection year 2013
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary The turbulence characteristics and measurement techniques for agitated tanks are well established for
liquid and liquid-gas systems. However, the literature shows that the overall energy dissipation rate
(related to turbulence) is affected not only by air addition, but also by the concentration of solids.
Unfortunately, there are no reliable measurement techniques for characterizing turbulence in a three
phase (liquid-solids-gas) environmental system, which is the case in a flotation cell. Therefore, the
effect of turbulence on flotation kinetics is very much one of conjecture. The aim of this work was to
develop a sensor to characterize the degree of velocity fluctuation, which is related to turbulence, in a
flotation cell operating with slurry and air. This sensor comprises a piezoelectric film transducer that
converts mechanical to electrical energy. Hence, when the sensor deflects backwards and forwards an
AC voltage is created. Flotation studies carried out using this sensor in a 3m3 Metso RCS cell
processing a copper sulphide ore showed a highly turbulent impeller zone with transition to a
significantly less turbulent zone in the upper portion of the cell. The transition region moves as the cell
operating variables are changed, for instance the impeller speed, impeller size, air rate and feed solids
concentration.
Keyword Mechanical flotation cell hydrodynamics
Turbulence characterization
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
Collections: Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre Publications
Official 2013 Collection
 
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Created: Mon, 08 Oct 2012, 13:51:14 EST by Karen Holtham on behalf of Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre