XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2813
increase in the effective volume fraction in the downcomer
of the RFC. An optimum pulp density of 17 wt.% was
realised where 65% pentlandite recovery at an enrichment
ratio of 16 was observed.
It was observed that an increase in air flowrate improved
pentlandite recovery, where nickel recovery of 80% was
recorded at 8 L/min air flowrate. A higher mass pull and
increased particle-bubble collision were attributed to this
observation.
Different feed flowrates – 6 L/min, 7 L/min and 10 L/
min were tested in this study to ascertain the best flow rate
for optimum nickel recovery and flotation kinetics. The
highest feed flow rate yielded the highest nickel flotation
recovery of about 82% together with a silica recovery of
41%.
The optimised flotation conditions pulp density of 2
wt.%, airflow rate of 8 L/min, and feed flow rate of 10
L/min were applied to two different wash water rates, 3
L/min and 0.3 L/min. The nickel recovery of 80%, silica
recovery of 11%, and Kelsall model, Kf of 1.5, which were
superior performances, was associated with the latter. This
outcome provides the basis for further research work on the
current optimal parameters to enhance the Kf value while
maintaining the Ks. In summary, the RFC demonstrated
good flotation performance in the recovery of ultrafine
pentlandite mineral, thus providing a strong basis to trans-
late the current findings to recover fine/ultrafine pentland-
ite from real ores.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors acknowledge the financial support from
the Australian Research Council for the ARC Centre of
Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of
Minerals, grant number CE200100009. The authors
also acknowledge the facilities and technical assistance of
the staff of Microscopy Australia at the Future Industries
Institute, University of South Australia. This work used
the NCRIS and Government of South Australia-enabled
Australian National Fabrication Facility—South Australian
Node (ANFF-SA).
REFERENCES
Arriagada, S., Acuña, C. and Vera, M., 2020. New technol-
ogy to improve the recovery of fine particles in froth
flotation based on using hydrophobized glass bubbles.
Minerals Engineering, 156: 106364.
Ata, S., 2012. Phenomena in the froth phase of flotation —
A review. International Journal of Mineral Processing,
102–103: 1–12.
Ayedzi, L.D., Abaka-Wood, G.B., Zanin, M. and
Skinner, W., 2022. A brief review of fine particles flota-
tion, 18th Procemin-Geomet, pp. 49 – 59.
Ayedzi, L.D., Zanin, M., Skinner, W. and Abaka-
Wood, G.B., 2024. Minimizing entrainment recovery
of ultrafine silicate minerals in pentlandite flotation
using carboxymethyl cellulose. Under review Minerals
Engineering.
Chen, J., Chimonyo, W. and Peng, Y., 2022. Flotation
behaviour in reflux flotation cell – A critical review.
Minerals Engineering, 181: 107519.
Çilek, E.C. and Yılmazer, B.Z., 2003. Effects of hydrody-
namic parameters on entrainment and flotation perfor-
mance. Minerals Engineering, 16(8): 745–756.
Cole, M.J., Dickinson, J.E. and Galvin, K.P., 2020.
Recovery and cleaning of fine hydrophobic particles
using the Reflux ™ Flotation Cell. Separation and
Purification Technology, 240: 116641.
Cole, M.J., Galvin, K.P. and Dickinson, J.E., 2021.
Maximizing recovery, grade and throughput in a sin-
gle stage Reflux Flotation Cell. Minerals Engineering,
163: 106761.
Derhy, M., Taha, Y., Hakkou, R. and Benzaazoua, M.,
2020. Review of the main factors affecting the flotation
of phosphate ores. Minerals, 10(12): 1109.
Dickinson, J. and Galvin, K., 2014. Fluidized bed desliming
in fine particle flotation–part I. Chemical Engineering
Science, 108: 283–298.
Dickinson, J.E., Jiang, K. and Galvin, K.P., 2015. Fast
flotation of coal at low pulp density using the Reflux
Flotation Cell. Chemical Engineering Research and
Design, 101: 74–81.
Farrokhpay, S., Filippov, L. and Fornasiero, D., 2021.
Flotation of Fine Particles: A Review. Mineral
Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 42(7):
473–483.
Galvin, K., 2012. Development of the reflux classifier,
Challenges in Fine Coal Processing, Dewatering, and
Disposal. SME Englewood, pp. 159–185.
Galvin, K.P. and Dickinson, J.E., 2014. Fluidized bed
desliming in fine particle flotation – Part II: Flotation
of a model feed. Chemical Engineering Science, 108:
299–309.
Iveson, S.M. et al., 2022. Full-Scale trial of the REFLUX ™
flotation cell. Minerals Engineering, 179: 107447.
Jiang, K., 2017. Fast Flotation in a Reflux Flotation
Cell. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, The University of
Newcastle, Australia.
increase in the effective volume fraction in the downcomer
of the RFC. An optimum pulp density of 17 wt.% was
realised where 65% pentlandite recovery at an enrichment
ratio of 16 was observed.
It was observed that an increase in air flowrate improved
pentlandite recovery, where nickel recovery of 80% was
recorded at 8 L/min air flowrate. A higher mass pull and
increased particle-bubble collision were attributed to this
observation.
Different feed flowrates – 6 L/min, 7 L/min and 10 L/
min were tested in this study to ascertain the best flow rate
for optimum nickel recovery and flotation kinetics. The
highest feed flow rate yielded the highest nickel flotation
recovery of about 82% together with a silica recovery of
41%.
The optimised flotation conditions pulp density of 2
wt.%, airflow rate of 8 L/min, and feed flow rate of 10
L/min were applied to two different wash water rates, 3
L/min and 0.3 L/min. The nickel recovery of 80%, silica
recovery of 11%, and Kelsall model, Kf of 1.5, which were
superior performances, was associated with the latter. This
outcome provides the basis for further research work on the
current optimal parameters to enhance the Kf value while
maintaining the Ks. In summary, the RFC demonstrated
good flotation performance in the recovery of ultrafine
pentlandite mineral, thus providing a strong basis to trans-
late the current findings to recover fine/ultrafine pentland-
ite from real ores.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors acknowledge the financial support from
the Australian Research Council for the ARC Centre of
Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of
Minerals, grant number CE200100009. The authors
also acknowledge the facilities and technical assistance of
the staff of Microscopy Australia at the Future Industries
Institute, University of South Australia. This work used
the NCRIS and Government of South Australia-enabled
Australian National Fabrication Facility—South Australian
Node (ANFF-SA).
REFERENCES
Arriagada, S., Acuña, C. and Vera, M., 2020. New technol-
ogy to improve the recovery of fine particles in froth
flotation based on using hydrophobized glass bubbles.
Minerals Engineering, 156: 106364.
Ata, S., 2012. Phenomena in the froth phase of flotation —
A review. International Journal of Mineral Processing,
102–103: 1–12.
Ayedzi, L.D., Abaka-Wood, G.B., Zanin, M. and
Skinner, W., 2022. A brief review of fine particles flota-
tion, 18th Procemin-Geomet, pp. 49 – 59.
Ayedzi, L.D., Zanin, M., Skinner, W. and Abaka-
Wood, G.B., 2024. Minimizing entrainment recovery
of ultrafine silicate minerals in pentlandite flotation
using carboxymethyl cellulose. Under review Minerals
Engineering.
Chen, J., Chimonyo, W. and Peng, Y., 2022. Flotation
behaviour in reflux flotation cell – A critical review.
Minerals Engineering, 181: 107519.
Çilek, E.C. and Yılmazer, B.Z., 2003. Effects of hydrody-
namic parameters on entrainment and flotation perfor-
mance. Minerals Engineering, 16(8): 745–756.
Cole, M.J., Dickinson, J.E. and Galvin, K.P., 2020.
Recovery and cleaning of fine hydrophobic particles
using the Reflux ™ Flotation Cell. Separation and
Purification Technology, 240: 116641.
Cole, M.J., Galvin, K.P. and Dickinson, J.E., 2021.
Maximizing recovery, grade and throughput in a sin-
gle stage Reflux Flotation Cell. Minerals Engineering,
163: 106761.
Derhy, M., Taha, Y., Hakkou, R. and Benzaazoua, M.,
2020. Review of the main factors affecting the flotation
of phosphate ores. Minerals, 10(12): 1109.
Dickinson, J. and Galvin, K., 2014. Fluidized bed desliming
in fine particle flotation–part I. Chemical Engineering
Science, 108: 283–298.
Dickinson, J.E., Jiang, K. and Galvin, K.P., 2015. Fast
flotation of coal at low pulp density using the Reflux
Flotation Cell. Chemical Engineering Research and
Design, 101: 74–81.
Farrokhpay, S., Filippov, L. and Fornasiero, D., 2021.
Flotation of Fine Particles: A Review. Mineral
Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 42(7):
473–483.
Galvin, K., 2012. Development of the reflux classifier,
Challenges in Fine Coal Processing, Dewatering, and
Disposal. SME Englewood, pp. 159–185.
Galvin, K.P. and Dickinson, J.E., 2014. Fluidized bed
desliming in fine particle flotation – Part II: Flotation
of a model feed. Chemical Engineering Science, 108:
299–309.
Iveson, S.M. et al., 2022. Full-Scale trial of the REFLUX ™
flotation cell. Minerals Engineering, 179: 107447.
Jiang, K., 2017. Fast Flotation in a Reflux Flotation
Cell. Doctor of Philosophy Thesis, The University of
Newcastle, Australia.