FLOTATION KINETICS

A flotation model is similar to chemical kinetics

dN/dt =-k1 N1a- k2 N2b

N - species (1 and 2) concentration

t- time
k - rate constant(s)
a, b process order
-negative sign indicates that the concentration is diminishing
due to the loss
of particles being floated.
-exponents a and b signify the order of the process

Since flotation seems to depend only on particles concentration

dN/dt =-k1 N1a



Flotation kinetics models

Model Relation

Classic first order = [1 exp (k1t)]

Modified first order = {1 1/(k2t)[1 exp (k2t)]}

For reactor with ideal mixing = [1 1/(1 + t/k3)]*

= k4t/(1 + k4t)*
Modified for gassolid adsorption

Kinetics of second order = ( )2 k5t/(1 + k5t)

Modified second order = {1 [ln (1 + k6t)]/(k6t)}

= [1 { exp (k7t) + (1 ) exp(k8t)}
Two rate constants

Distributed rate constants = [1 exp(kt) f (k, 0) dk]

* Equivalent models because k3 = 1/k4.

flotation recovery after time t,
maximum recovery,
fraction of particles having lower flotation rate constant, k7,
k flotation rate constant.
more

A. Bakalarz, J. Drzymala, 2013, Interrelation of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve parameters with kinetics of
separation, Physicochemical Problem of Mineral Processing, 49(2), 443-451
 Flotation kinetics of the whole mass and
components

product (yield vs time)

components (recovery vs
time)
Flotation results plotted as a relationship between recovery of each
component in concentrate and separation time (a), yield of
components forming concentrate vs. separation time (b)
A. Bakalarz, J. Drzymala, 2013, Interrelation of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve parameters with kinetics of
separation, Physicochemical Problem of Mineral Processing, 49(2), 443-451
 relation between flotation kinetics and
upgrading curves

The kinetics of separation of feed components (a) provide separation

results in the form of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve (b).
A. Bakalarz, J. Drzymala, 2013, Interrelation of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve parameters with kinetics of
separation, Physicochemical Problem of Mineral Processing, 49(2), 443-451
 ugrading curves (here Fuerstenaus) equations based on kinetics of flotation

13

c,1 c,2 recovery of component 2 in concentrat

recovery of component 1 in concentrate
 Theoretical shape of the separation data in the Fuerstenau
plot

4* 7 9

Remeber: for characterizing separation results

we need either two parameter or a law governi
separation and then you can use one paramete
13 which can be called selectivity as in these plots
selectivity k

*for a suitable equation see previous slide

(more plots in A. Bakalarz, J. Drzymala, 2013, Interrelation of the Fuerstenau upgrading curve parameters
with kinetics of separation, Physicochemical Problem of Mineral Processing, 49(2), 443-451
 An example of separation results approximation using the Fuerstenau
plot

ideal upgrading
100
100
F = (89/89)

a=
80

~1
80

a=100
10
plant 3, trial 1
60 a=102.28 60
r

= a(100-r)/(a-r) no upgrading a=
40 ~
40 10
00
20
20

0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

component 2 in product 2,%

Polish copper ore lab tests with xanthate

Homework

Calculate the rate constant and order of a set of yield flotation

data
 FLOTATION DEVICES

Microlaboratory cells
Laboratory cells
Laboratory machines
Industrial machines
Mechanical
Pneumo-mechanical
Pneumatic
Pressurized (DAF)
Other (sparged hydrocyclone, ASH)
 Laboratory cells

water level

magnetic stirrer

porous glass

gas deflector

froth
product
water level
x

stirrer

porous glass
flotaton product
gas

Other laboratory flotation devices

a) cylindrical cell equipped with magnetic stirrer (Fuerstenau, 1964)
b) laboratory flotation device of Partridge and Smith, 1971
 drive

air

Laboratory Mechanobr flotation

machine
Laboratory Denver flotation
machine
Industrial flotation

EIMCO Product Leaflets, 2000

Flotation machines are used individually and as a
group (bank)
Flotation machines are rectangular
and circular

Svedala Product Handbook, 1996

Constructions and impellers of flotation machines are different
FLOTATION MACHINES
MECHANICAL

Denver
Mechanobr
Fagergreen (WEMCO-EIMCO)
DENVER
Wemco-Fagergreen (V=0.085 85m3)

Kelly E.G., Spottiswood D.J., Introduction to mineral processing. J.Wiley& Sons, N.Jork 1985
Wemco-Fagergreen (WEMCO-EIMCO)
mechanical flotation machines

EIMCO Product Leaflets, 2000

FLOTATION MACHINES
PNEUMO-MECHANICAL

Denver
Agitair
Metso RCS (Metso Minerals)
Outotec (Outokumpu)
X-Cell (FLSmidth Minerals)
Humbolt-Wedag
IMN Gliwice
Fragment of mechano-pneumatic flotation machine
(continueous, multi-impeller tankless Denver D-R

Wills B.A., Mineral processing

technology. Pergamon Press 1983
 Pneumo-mechanic multi-tank (15m3 each)
(Aker FM Humbold Wedag)

fe

tailing
ed

Humbold-Wedag Product Leaflets, 1998

Pneumo-mechanical flotation machines IMN

Maszyna
przepywowa Maszyna
wielowirnikowa jednowirnikowa
New machines: large volume and output, saving energy

Historyczny rozwj pojemnoci maszyn flotacyjnych

Flotation technologies. Outotec Leaflets 2007

 (Outokumpu OK-100, V= 100m3

TankCell 300
300m3

Outokumpu Oy Leaflets 2000

Flotation technologies, Outotec Oyj. Leaflets 2007
Outotec TankCell 500 (500m3)

2012 Outotec Oyj. www.outotec.com

RCS (Reactor Cell System) from 5 to 200 m3 (Metso
Minerals/Svedala)

1-radial flow of
slurry to tank
wall
2-primary slurry
stream to
benith impeller
3-secondary
recirculation
towards upper
part of tank

Basics in mineral processing. Metso

Minerals 2003
RCS (Reactor Cell System) from 5 to 200 m3 (Metso Minerals)

Basics in mineral processing. Metso Minerals 2003

RCS (Reactor Cell System) from 260 m3 (Metso Minerals)
 pneumo-machanic
XCELL (FLSmidth Minerals)

XCELL Flotation Machines. FLSmidth Mineralss brochure 2008.

 PNEUMATIC
FLOTATION MACHINES

FLOTATION COLUMNS
Metso
Outotec (Outokumpu)
INJECTION FLOTATION MACHINES

Jameson Cell
Imhoflot
Pneuflot (Humbolt-Wedag)
Injection Jameson Cell
Pneumatic PNEUFLOT

Pneumatic flotation with PNEUFLOT cells HUMBOLDT WEDAG leaflet 2009

Multi-injection Imhoflot 3 (centrifugal flotation)

fee
d

compress
ed air

air
plus
suspensio
n feed reagent
s concentrat
e

tailing

feed tailing
pump pump

Pneumatic cell Imhoflot. Maelgwyn Mineral Service leaflet 4/06 Chile 2006
Injection column

Siemens
SIMINE Hybrid Flot

Metals and Mining, Siemens VAI, No. 1, 2011

SSURIZED FLOTATION MACHINES

Dissolved air flotation (DAF)

Dissolved air flotation (DAF)
Flotation, ZWR Polkowice