2362 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
in available cell volume), overfrothing, and poor dewater-
ing. Solutions to these problems often include blends of
“strong” and “weak” frothers, invariably leading to compro-
mises in either the rougher or cleaner circuits. Syensqo has
developed a novel frother technology that can be strong in
the rougher circuit, but weaken in the cleaner circuit as the
pH is increased. Pilot scale testing has demonstrated that
the switch from strong to weak does happen in a practi-
cal timescale, and improvements in performance (recovery/
grade) are observed. Critical Coalescence concentration
(CCC95) measurements obtained as a function of time
at pH 11.5 further illustrate the ability of the frother to
weaken the froth over time. Potential benefits of this tech-
nology include the higher throughput, improved recovery
of coarse particles, reduced circulating loads, improved
thickener overflow clarity and higher overall recoveries.
REFERENCES
Arinaitwe, E., Integrated Approach for Characterization,
Selection, and Development of Tailored Frother
Formulations for Sulfide Flotation. In Proceedings of
the 58th Conference of Metallurgists Hosting Copper
2019, Vancouver, BC.
Laskowski, J.S. Fundamental properties of flotation froth-
ers. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Mineral
Processing Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 28
September–3 October 2003 pp. 788–797.
Figure 3. Critical coalescence concentration (CCC95) values for Transfoamer™ T-200 frother
in available cell volume), overfrothing, and poor dewater-
ing. Solutions to these problems often include blends of
“strong” and “weak” frothers, invariably leading to compro-
mises in either the rougher or cleaner circuits. Syensqo has
developed a novel frother technology that can be strong in
the rougher circuit, but weaken in the cleaner circuit as the
pH is increased. Pilot scale testing has demonstrated that
the switch from strong to weak does happen in a practi-
cal timescale, and improvements in performance (recovery/
grade) are observed. Critical Coalescence concentration
(CCC95) measurements obtained as a function of time
at pH 11.5 further illustrate the ability of the frother to
weaken the froth over time. Potential benefits of this tech-
nology include the higher throughput, improved recovery
of coarse particles, reduced circulating loads, improved
thickener overflow clarity and higher overall recoveries.
REFERENCES
Arinaitwe, E., Integrated Approach for Characterization,
Selection, and Development of Tailored Frother
Formulations for Sulfide Flotation. In Proceedings of
the 58th Conference of Metallurgists Hosting Copper
2019, Vancouver, BC.
Laskowski, J.S. Fundamental properties of flotation froth-
ers. In Proceedings of the 22nd International Mineral
Processing Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 28
September–3 October 2003 pp. 788–797.
Figure 3. Critical coalescence concentration (CCC95) values for Transfoamer™ T-200 frother