2718 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
size analysis, as presented in Figure 3, performed on each
feed demonstrates that the size distribution was consistent
for each run condition (Averaged across 3–5 samples).
Silica Yield
The RFC has previously demonstrated promising results in
the rejection of gangue particles to the product (Dickinson
&Galvin, 2014 Galvin &Dickinson, 2014 Galvin,
Harvey, &Dickinson, 2014 Parkes, Wang, &Galvin,
2022). As with these previous works, this study used silica
as the model gangue particle with the purpose to minimize
the recovery of this hydrophilic material to the product
stream. From the timed mass samples the mass distribution
and thus silica yield by particle size was determined for each
stream and test condition. Figure 4 presents the total yield
of silica in the presence and absence of NaCl and counter-
current washing.
Figure 3. Feed particle size distributions under different conditions
Figure 4. Fractional silica yield for with and without NaCl and counter-current washing