XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2249
realized from the bottom thanks to the valves located below
the rotor. Agitation was kept constant at 900 rpm for all
the tests. Air flow rate was fixed at 15 L/min. Values for pH
and Eh were constantly monitored. The flotation sequence
followed the steps described in Table 1.
The reagents used have been the same as the ones
employed at Aurubis flotation plant, namely Potassium
Isobutyl Xanthate (PIBX) as collector and Dowfroth 200 E
as frother. For the collector, 1% fresh solution was prepared
on a daily basis by diluting 2 g PIBX in 200 mL deionized
Figure 1. Production process of copper refining in Pirdop’s processing facilities
Table 1. Reagents suite and flotation procedure designed in accordance with Aurubis processing plant flowsheet. Cond. =
conditioning, Conc. =concentrate
Step
Reagents Duration, min
PIBX, mL Dowfroth (drops) Grinding Conditioning Flotation
Grinding 16
Cond. rougher
*pulp heating/cooling without reagents 20
29 2
14 1
Conc. 1 1
Conc. 2 2
Conc. 3 3
Cond scavenger 7 2
3 1
Conc. scav. 5
Total 36 17 16 *26 11
*In case no heating or cooling performed on the pulp, overall conditioning time was equal to a total of 5 min (1+2+3) before flotation
begin.
realized from the bottom thanks to the valves located below
the rotor. Agitation was kept constant at 900 rpm for all
the tests. Air flow rate was fixed at 15 L/min. Values for pH
and Eh were constantly monitored. The flotation sequence
followed the steps described in Table 1.
The reagents used have been the same as the ones
employed at Aurubis flotation plant, namely Potassium
Isobutyl Xanthate (PIBX) as collector and Dowfroth 200 E
as frother. For the collector, 1% fresh solution was prepared
on a daily basis by diluting 2 g PIBX in 200 mL deionized
Figure 1. Production process of copper refining in Pirdop’s processing facilities
Table 1. Reagents suite and flotation procedure designed in accordance with Aurubis processing plant flowsheet. Cond. =
conditioning, Conc. =concentrate
Step
Reagents Duration, min
PIBX, mL Dowfroth (drops) Grinding Conditioning Flotation
Grinding 16
Cond. rougher
*pulp heating/cooling without reagents 20
29 2
14 1
Conc. 1 1
Conc. 2 2
Conc. 3 3
Cond scavenger 7 2
3 1
Conc. scav. 5
Total 36 17 16 *26 11
*In case no heating or cooling performed on the pulp, overall conditioning time was equal to a total of 5 min (1+2+3) before flotation
begin.