Flotation of fine apatitic ore using microbubbles

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 98; pp. 402 - 409
• Main Authors: Santana, R.C., Ribeiro, J.A., Santos, M.A., Reis, A.S., Ataíde, C.H., Barrozo, Marcos A.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 19.09.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: air; Apatite; Applied sciences; Bubbles; Chemical engineering; Circulating; Column flotation; Dissolution; Exact sciences and technology; Fine particles; Flotation; microbubbles; Microorganisms; Phosphate ore; pulp; Quality; researchers; Solid-solid systems; Water flow; Phosphate ore; Fine particles; Column flotation; Bubble; Particle size; Particle size distribution; Flotation; Fine particle; pH; Water flow; Optimization
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2012.06.014

[Display omitted] ► Conventional flotation devices can be inefficient to selectively recovery fine particles. ► The effect of process variables on the performance of dissolved air flotation of apatite was studied. ► The bubbles size distribution of the dissolved air system was measured, with values less than 100μm. ► The satisfactory performance requirements for fine phosphate ore flotation were achieved. ► P2O5 grade and apatite recovery, respectively, higher than 30% and 60% for fine particles were obtained. Optimizing the flotation performance of fine particles has long been a focus of researchers in the area of mineral processing. One of the major technological challenges to float fine-particle size fractions is the lack of smaller bubble sizes in the flotation equipment. Therefore, dissolved air flotation, where the size of most bubbles is less than 100μm, can encounter problems that are inherent to the flotation of smaller particle sizes. Thus, this paper investigated the effect of some process variables on the performance of the dissolved air flotation of fine phosphate ore. The size distribution of the bubbles were measured. The satisfactory performance requirements that the flotation experiments must meet, i.e., P2O5 grade and apatite recovery, simultaneously, higher than 30% and 60%, were achieved. The results also allowed quantifying the influence of the analyzed variables (pulp pH, wash water flow rate, circulating load flow rate, initial solid concentration in the column, circulating load addition point and saturated water addition point) on apatite flotation yield.