The Impact of Nano-Microbubbles on Zinc Oxide Ore Flotation Performance

The major challenge in zinc oxide ores flotation is the excessive production of fines during comminution, which leads to increased reagent consumption or the loss of zinc minerals. One of the most effective methods for enhancing recovery is the use of nano-microbubbles in the flotation. In this study, the effect of using nano-microbubbles in the flotation of a zinc oxide ore sample with a Zn content of ۱۵.۶۷% was studied with the aim of eliminating the desliming stage. A software-based statistical design of experiments (DOE) was applied to design and statistically analyze the results. The parameters were labeled as: using nano-microbubbles water (A), sodium sulfide concentration as a sulfidant (B), Armac C concentration as a collector (C) and particle size (D). Zinc concentrate recovery was evaluated as the response in the design. Analysis of the results showed that the influence of parameters and their interactions on the response followed the order: B>D>C>BD>BC>CD>A>BCD. Maximum recovery was achieved in the presence of nano-microbubbles, sodium sulfide concentration of ۴۰۰۰ g/t, Armac C concentration of ۱۰۰۰ g/t, and the d۸۰ of the feed particles at ۹۲ m. Under these conditions, a concentrate with Zn grade of ۲۵.۸۹% and ۸۸.۸۱% recovery was obtained and in the absence of both nano-microbubbles and PAX as a promoter, the concentrate grade and recovery were ۲۷.۳۱% and ۸۱.۷۴%, respectively. The results showed that using PAX (۲۰۰ g/t) led to a lower recovery increase (~۱%) compared to using nano-microbubbles (~۷%).

کلیدواژه ها:

Sodium sulfide ، Armac C ، Particle size ، PAX ، DOE