Thermodynamic theory predicts that collector adsorption onto a mineral surface will be greater if it occurs at the solid-gas interface rather than at the more typical solid-liquid interface. Consequently, dosing collector on the surfaces of bubbles as an aerosol offers a potential means of enhancing particle hydrophobicity. This work explores this idea by first evaluating the practical options to physically dose collectors as aerosols. It goes on to discuss the results of a series of batch flotation tests on a complex chalcopyrite-pyrite ore to compare flotation response when dosing collectors using conventional, hybrid and aerosol dosing methods. Test results show similar recoveries and improved mineral selectivity when collectors are dosed as an aerosol compared with traditional dosing methods, particularly for coarser particles. Additionally, aerosol collector dosing achieves similar recoveries at lower collector dosage rates than traditional dosing methods.
21 авг 2024
