3164 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
content. The relation between flotation rate constant and
particle size is similar for the different operating conditions.
Yet, graphite particles float ca. 25% faster at lower solids
content.
The entrainment degree (Eq. 3) is shown in Figure 7
for each operating condition as a function of particle size
and CAM phase. In general, the entrainment degree is
higher at high solids content. The relation between particle
size and ENT is remarkably similar for all CAM phases.
As observed with selectivity plots in Figure 3, NMC and
LCO have a higher recovery (consequently higher ENT)
than quartz and Cu- and Al-foils.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The methodology applied in this study allowed for model-
ling the behaviour of graphite and CAM particles in froth
flotation under different percentage of solids in the pulp.
Modelling errors are minimal in the case of this model
black mass, as demonstrated by the similarities in observed
and predicted enrichment factor vs. recovery plots.
Regarding the recovery trends of distinct phases,
obtained results shed light on interesting phenomena.
Starting with CAMs, it is enticing to note the higher recov-
ery of LCO and NMC in comparison to quartz, alumin-
ium, and copper. Typically, the froth flotation recovery of
phases expected to be hydrophilic should occur via entrain-
ment mechanisms. From a particle property perspective,
this unselective hydrodynamic recovery mechanism is,
inter alia, a function of particle settling velocity—i.e., par-
ticle size, shape, and density (Kirjavainen, 1996 Savassi,
1998). In fact, the entrainment degree observed for quartz
and Cu- and Al-foils is directly proportional to the density
(and consequently settling velocity) of these phases. LCO
and NMC particles, on the other hand, do not follow the
same proportionality—while they density is higher than
that of quartz and aluminium (Table 1), their recovery is
higher irrespective of particle size. These results suggest that
LCO and NMC are also partly recovered via true flota-
tion. Such observations are supported by previous findings
of (Vanderbruggen et al., 2022a). In addition, the higher
entrainment degree at higher solids content observed here
was to be expected given the relation between entrainment
and pulp viscosity previously discussed by (Kirjavainen,
1996).
Figure 6. The maximum recovery (R
max – A) and flotation rate constant (k – B) computed for individual graphite particles as a
function of particle size according to the process conditions. Each point represents a particle
(a)
(b)
content. The relation between flotation rate constant and
particle size is similar for the different operating conditions.
Yet, graphite particles float ca. 25% faster at lower solids
content.
The entrainment degree (Eq. 3) is shown in Figure 7
for each operating condition as a function of particle size
and CAM phase. In general, the entrainment degree is
higher at high solids content. The relation between particle
size and ENT is remarkably similar for all CAM phases.
As observed with selectivity plots in Figure 3, NMC and
LCO have a higher recovery (consequently higher ENT)
than quartz and Cu- and Al-foils.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The methodology applied in this study allowed for model-
ling the behaviour of graphite and CAM particles in froth
flotation under different percentage of solids in the pulp.
Modelling errors are minimal in the case of this model
black mass, as demonstrated by the similarities in observed
and predicted enrichment factor vs. recovery plots.
Regarding the recovery trends of distinct phases,
obtained results shed light on interesting phenomena.
Starting with CAMs, it is enticing to note the higher recov-
ery of LCO and NMC in comparison to quartz, alumin-
ium, and copper. Typically, the froth flotation recovery of
phases expected to be hydrophilic should occur via entrain-
ment mechanisms. From a particle property perspective,
this unselective hydrodynamic recovery mechanism is,
inter alia, a function of particle settling velocity—i.e., par-
ticle size, shape, and density (Kirjavainen, 1996 Savassi,
1998). In fact, the entrainment degree observed for quartz
and Cu- and Al-foils is directly proportional to the density
(and consequently settling velocity) of these phases. LCO
and NMC particles, on the other hand, do not follow the
same proportionality—while they density is higher than
that of quartz and aluminium (Table 1), their recovery is
higher irrespective of particle size. These results suggest that
LCO and NMC are also partly recovered via true flota-
tion. Such observations are supported by previous findings
of (Vanderbruggen et al., 2022a). In addition, the higher
entrainment degree at higher solids content observed here
was to be expected given the relation between entrainment
and pulp viscosity previously discussed by (Kirjavainen,
1996).
Figure 6. The maximum recovery (R
max – A) and flotation rate constant (k – B) computed for individual graphite particles as a
function of particle size according to the process conditions. Each point represents a particle
(a)
(b)