XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2585
Indeed, Figure 3 illustrates that CustoFloat 390 con-
sistently exhibited higher recovery rates throughout the
flotation process. Notably, the recovery difference peaked
at approximately 35 seconds and subsequently showed a
decreasing trend. This temporal pattern suggests that the
disparity in flotation efficiency between the two reagent
schemes is most pronounced within the initial minute of
the process—an observation of practical significance in the
operational dynamics of a flotation plant.
Moreover, the fitting model underscores the distinctive
performance of CustoFloat 390, revealing a higher pseudo
rate constant of 18.22 compared to the 17.55 associated
with FA-1. This disparity emphasizes the robust collecting
capability of the new reagent scheme, indicating its effec-
tiveness in fostering rapid and efficient interactions between
bubbles and particles, particularly during the critical early
stages of the flotation process.
Figure 4 depicts the variation in grade throughout the
flotation kinetics. The columns in the figure represent the
grade of individual samples collected during specific time
intervals, while the lines trace the cumulative grade evolu-
tion over time.
Figure 4 furnishes a comprehensive overview of the
dynamic changes in grade observed across various stages of
the flotation process. Notably, the grades collected within
the initial 10 seconds were the highest for both reagent
schemes, indicating a favorable level of selectivity. During
the initial periods, FA-1 achieved higher grades, while
CustoFloat 390 exhibited higher grades after the 45-sec-
ond mark. It is important to highlight that, despite these
temporal variations, the accumulated final grades for both
reagent schemes were remarkably similar. This suggests
that, despite nuanced fluctuations in grade throughout
the flotation kinetics, the overall performance in terms of
cumulative grade was comparable between the traditional
and the novel CustoFloat 390 reagent schemes.
Wettability Results
As previously mentioned, the wettability of particles was
characterized by recording the penetrated water masses.
Three samples were subjected to testing: raw phosphate
without any reagent, phosphate treated with the traditional
reagent scheme, and phosphate treated with CustoFloat
390. The results of the wettability assessments are presented
in Figure 5, offering insights into the comparative wetting
behaviors of these different phosphate samples under the
influence of reagent schemes.
In Figure 5, the penetrated water mass exhibited an
increase over time, though at different rates for phosphate
samples with varying treatments of reagents. The raw phos-
phate feed obtained the highest amount of penetrated water
mass. The phosphate feed treated with CustoFloat 390
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
10 20 30 45 60
Time, s
FA-1 Grade CF 390 Grade FA-1 Accumulated Grade CF 390 Accumulated Grade
Figure 4. Grade kinetics of phosphate flotations using FA-1 and CustoFloat 390
Grade,
%
Indeed, Figure 3 illustrates that CustoFloat 390 con-
sistently exhibited higher recovery rates throughout the
flotation process. Notably, the recovery difference peaked
at approximately 35 seconds and subsequently showed a
decreasing trend. This temporal pattern suggests that the
disparity in flotation efficiency between the two reagent
schemes is most pronounced within the initial minute of
the process—an observation of practical significance in the
operational dynamics of a flotation plant.
Moreover, the fitting model underscores the distinctive
performance of CustoFloat 390, revealing a higher pseudo
rate constant of 18.22 compared to the 17.55 associated
with FA-1. This disparity emphasizes the robust collecting
capability of the new reagent scheme, indicating its effec-
tiveness in fostering rapid and efficient interactions between
bubbles and particles, particularly during the critical early
stages of the flotation process.
Figure 4 depicts the variation in grade throughout the
flotation kinetics. The columns in the figure represent the
grade of individual samples collected during specific time
intervals, while the lines trace the cumulative grade evolu-
tion over time.
Figure 4 furnishes a comprehensive overview of the
dynamic changes in grade observed across various stages of
the flotation process. Notably, the grades collected within
the initial 10 seconds were the highest for both reagent
schemes, indicating a favorable level of selectivity. During
the initial periods, FA-1 achieved higher grades, while
CustoFloat 390 exhibited higher grades after the 45-sec-
ond mark. It is important to highlight that, despite these
temporal variations, the accumulated final grades for both
reagent schemes were remarkably similar. This suggests
that, despite nuanced fluctuations in grade throughout
the flotation kinetics, the overall performance in terms of
cumulative grade was comparable between the traditional
and the novel CustoFloat 390 reagent schemes.
Wettability Results
As previously mentioned, the wettability of particles was
characterized by recording the penetrated water masses.
Three samples were subjected to testing: raw phosphate
without any reagent, phosphate treated with the traditional
reagent scheme, and phosphate treated with CustoFloat
390. The results of the wettability assessments are presented
in Figure 5, offering insights into the comparative wetting
behaviors of these different phosphate samples under the
influence of reagent schemes.
In Figure 5, the penetrated water mass exhibited an
increase over time, though at different rates for phosphate
samples with varying treatments of reagents. The raw phos-
phate feed obtained the highest amount of penetrated water
mass. The phosphate feed treated with CustoFloat 390
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
10 20 30 45 60
Time, s
FA-1 Grade CF 390 Grade FA-1 Accumulated Grade CF 390 Accumulated Grade
Figure 4. Grade kinetics of phosphate flotations using FA-1 and CustoFloat 390
Grade,
%