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Investigating the Influence of Particle Size and Shape on Froth
Flotation Based Beneficiation of Lithium-Rich Minerals in Slags
Franziska Strube, Johanna Sygusch, Bradley M. Guy, Martin Rudolph
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Freiberg, Germany
Ulm University, Institute of Stochastics, Ulm, Germany
Thomas Wilhelm, Orkun Furat, Volker Schmidt
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Freiberg, Germany
Ulm University, Institute of Stochastics, Helmholtzstraße 18, 89069 Ulm, Germany
ABSTRACT: The demand for lithium, as well as other critical resources, required for electrochemical energy
storage is expected to increase significantly in the future. Slags obtained from pyrometallurgical recycling represent
a promising resource of valuable materials, among them lithium and rare earth elements found in artificial or
synthetic minerals. This study investigates the flotation separation of engineered artificial minerals (EnAMs)
in slags, specifically lithium aluminate and gehlenite, as valuable and gangue phases, respectively. Flotation
experiments were carried out in a Partridge-Smith cell using oleic acid (OA) as a benchmark surfactant. Phase
characterization and quantification was performed using a SEM-based Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA),
which provides particle discrete information. From this information, bivariate Tromp functions based on
non-parametric kernel density estimation were computed to characterize the separation behavior with respect
to particle descriptors. This approach allows for the assessment of particle size and shape on the separation
behavior of EnAMs. Furthermore, these results allow for the optimization of flotation experiments for enriching
Li-bearing EnAMs.
Keywords: Slag, engineered artificial mineral, multidimensional separation, froth flotation, MLA, multivariate
Tromp function
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, the interest in lithium, particularly as
the main component of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), has
increased exponentially as the global economy moves away
from conventional energy sources. The shift towards renew-
able energy sources to decrease carbon emission for limiting
climate change resulted in the demand for LIBs has dou-
bled in the last five years (Tabelin et al. 2021). For example,
LIBs are the most important renewable energy storage sys-
tem for electric-base vehicles. Alternative non-lithium bat-
tery storage systems are still in development and have lower
capacities compared to LIBs and are not soon realized in
industry (Tabelin et al. 2021). Owing to its importance for
modern society, lithium was declared a critical element and
was even referred to as “white” gold (Tarascon 2010).
Investigating the Influence of Particle Size and Shape on Froth
Flotation Based Beneficiation of Lithium-Rich Minerals in Slags
Franziska Strube, Johanna Sygusch, Bradley M. Guy, Martin Rudolph
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Freiberg, Germany
Ulm University, Institute of Stochastics, Ulm, Germany
Thomas Wilhelm, Orkun Furat, Volker Schmidt
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Freiberg, Germany
Ulm University, Institute of Stochastics, Helmholtzstraße 18, 89069 Ulm, Germany
ABSTRACT: The demand for lithium, as well as other critical resources, required for electrochemical energy
storage is expected to increase significantly in the future. Slags obtained from pyrometallurgical recycling represent
a promising resource of valuable materials, among them lithium and rare earth elements found in artificial or
synthetic minerals. This study investigates the flotation separation of engineered artificial minerals (EnAMs)
in slags, specifically lithium aluminate and gehlenite, as valuable and gangue phases, respectively. Flotation
experiments were carried out in a Partridge-Smith cell using oleic acid (OA) as a benchmark surfactant. Phase
characterization and quantification was performed using a SEM-based Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA),
which provides particle discrete information. From this information, bivariate Tromp functions based on
non-parametric kernel density estimation were computed to characterize the separation behavior with respect
to particle descriptors. This approach allows for the assessment of particle size and shape on the separation
behavior of EnAMs. Furthermore, these results allow for the optimization of flotation experiments for enriching
Li-bearing EnAMs.
Keywords: Slag, engineered artificial mineral, multidimensional separation, froth flotation, MLA, multivariate
Tromp function
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, the interest in lithium, particularly as
the main component of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), has
increased exponentially as the global economy moves away
from conventional energy sources. The shift towards renew-
able energy sources to decrease carbon emission for limiting
climate change resulted in the demand for LIBs has dou-
bled in the last five years (Tabelin et al. 2021). For example,
LIBs are the most important renewable energy storage sys-
tem for electric-base vehicles. Alternative non-lithium bat-
tery storage systems are still in development and have lower
capacities compared to LIBs and are not soon realized in
industry (Tabelin et al. 2021). Owing to its importance for
modern society, lithium was declared a critical element and
was even referred to as “white” gold (Tarascon 2010).