An Experimental Model for Determination of the Entrainment in Column Flotation Based on Operation Parameters

In flotation, entrainment (ENT) affects the recovery of the concentrate, and the entrainment model is often supposed to be only a function of particle size in models. Some research shows that other variables may also significantly affect ENT. In this study, some flotation experiments executed using a mixture of pure quartz as the valuable mineral and a pure magnetite sample as the gangue mineral to investigate the effects of other variables, such as solid content, airflow rate, frother, and collector dosages, on ENT. The results showed ENT varied from ۰.۰۷۱ to ۰.۸۵۱ is different, while the entrainment recovery was between ۰.۰۰۶ to ۰.۲۳, which means that the difference is statistically significant. ENT affected by (۱) collector dosage, (۲) frother dosage, (۳) solid content, (۴) the interaction between airflow rate and solid content and, (۵) the interaction between airflow rate and frother dosage. An empirical statistical model is presented based on operational parameters. As the present models for ENT incorporate just particle size, it is not enough to predict gangue recovery in industrial applications by keeping the operating conditions constant. This novel model can predict ENT based on different operational parameters. The developed model is presented based on the particle mass by changing the operation parameters.

کلیدواژه ها:

column flotation ، degree of entrainment ، Water Recovery ، concentrate recovery ، Empirical model