How to choose flotation process?

2016-02-20

In flotation process for polymetallic mineral especially for more than two kinds of useful elements, if preferential floats one element and restrain the others, and then activated the remained slurry to float another ore to get the concentrate, this kind of recovery useful mineral in sequence is called “preferential flotation process”. As shown below, the principle of this method is according to different flotability of minerals, generally speaking first separating Cu and then Zn.
But as above showing, if first floating two or more than two kinds of useful elements at the same time to get mixed concentrate. And then separating the mixed concentrate to get different element concentrates, this kind of process is called “mixed flotation process” or “whole flotation process”.

Generally speaking, mixed flotation process is suitable for handling lean but simple raw ore. Choosing mixed flotation process in this situation has the advantages: coarse grinding for raw material so that abandon large quantity of unqualified mineral early, it can reduce the flotation investment and equipment as well as saving drugs and grinding expense at separating process. But the flaws are because mixed mineral surface attached much drugs will result in difficulty for useful minerals separating, so it is hard to get high standard concentrate.

Flotation process brief introduction: Grinding the raw material into powder fineness less than 200mesh about 50% to 70%, 1 roughing flotation 2 or 3 times selected or fine separating, 1 ore 2 times sweep flotation process.

Drugs for reference: frother( 2# oil), Activator(Lime, ZnSo4, Na2So3,etc), Collectors: xanthate, diethyldithiocarbamate,erofloat

Referenced machine: crusher, grinder, flotation machine, dosing machine,agitator