Role of some physical variables on gangue and water recovery in froth

Abstract

In this research, flotation recovery and entrainment, of fine gangue were investigated using calcite as hydrophilic and talc as hydrophobic mineral. For this purpose water, talc and calcite recoveries within froth product were determined, and entrainment factors were calculated from calcite-water recovery curves. It was found out that collection mechanism for talc was hydrophobicity. Recovery of calcite was partly by entrainment, however, some fraction was recovered by other mechanisms, probably entrapment or slime-coating. Mineralogy of feed (amount of hydrophobic mineral) and frother concentration influenced considerably both recovery and entrainment. Pulp density and impeller speed were other parameters influencing water and gangue recoveries although their effect on entrainment factor was negligible.