ADVANCES IN COARSE PARTICLE RECOVERY –FLUIDISED-BED FLOTATION

摘要

Froth flotation is widely considered an effective means of upgrading fine particles in many mineralrnprocessing applications. The size range to which flotation can be applied is typically limited to thernfinest size classes due to particle detachment and bubble-particle buoyancy restrictions. However,rna new technology known as the HydroFloat has been developed that overcomes these limitations byrncombining the versatility and selectivity of a flotation process with the low cost and high capacityrnof a fluidised-bed, gravity concentrator. This air-assisted, gravity separator has been successfullyrnapplied to several industrial mineral applications including, but not limited to, potash, phosphate,rndiamonds, feldspar, silica sand, spodumene, and vermiculite. This paper presents a review of therntheoretical basis for this novel technology while providing data and results from laboratory-, pilot-,rnand industrial-scale installations. Also discussed will be the apparent and less obvious benefitsrnassociated with coarse particle flotation such as improved recovery, reduced reagent consumption,rnincreased capacity, and the increase in plant grind size.