3618 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The reflux classifier is a new type of gravity separation
device which can realize rapid and efficient separation of
materials by utilizing the principle of solid-liquid fluid-
ized bed and inclined plate sedimentation. Its basic struc-
ture includes counter-current cavity, vertical column and
inclined plate. Ores are fed by the vertical column, and
ascending water is fed by the counter-current cavity, in
which particles are subjected to the comprehensive action
of gravity, buoyancy and water scouring force. High den-
sity particles sink to the bottom, while low density particles
move with the ascending water, and are further sorted in the
inclined plate area, and finally discharged from the upper
part as overflow (Galvin and Callen et al., 2010 Syed and
Dickinson et al., 2018).
Prior to the reflux classifier tests, Zn flotation tailings
were screened into +0.038 mm and –0.038 mm fractions.
The –0.038 mm fraction was deslimed using a hydrocy-
clone to reject the fine slime (–0.010 mm) which is detri-
mental to gravity separation. The +0.038 mm fraction and
deslimed –0.038 mm fraction were fed to the reflux classi-
fier respectively. Figure 7 illustrates the flowsheet used for
the reflux classifier test with the test results summarized in
Table 5.
The test results demonstrate that tailings with an
operation yield of 61.55% can be obtained by desliming
and reflux classifier processing. Coarse and fine underflow
products with different BaSO4 grades can be obtained, at a
62.50% total operation recovery of BaSO4.
Barite cleaning tests
In order to obtain a marketable barite product, the
reflux classifier underflow was subjected to barite upgrad-
ing step. The following cleaning process was proposed.
Flotation was performed firstly to remove the sulfide min-
erals from the Zn flotation tailings. Thereafter, a shaking
table cleaning process was used to upgrade the barite con-
tent in the flotation tailings. In this study, coarse and fine
reflux classifier underflow were processed using the same
process flowsheet as presented in Figure 8. Results of the
tests are contained in Table 6.
The test results demonstrate that sulphide tailings with
an operation yield of 26.80% were removed. Shaking table
tailings at an operation yield of 31.29% were also removed.
Barite concentrate at a 41.91% operation yield and 66.39%
operation recovery is obtained. In production practice, due Figure 6. Sketch of a reflux classifier
Feed
Desliming
Fine Overflow
Fine Slime
Fine Underflow
Reflux Classifier
Screening
+0.038mm -0.038mm
Reflux Classifier
Coarse Overflow Coarse Underflow
Figure 7. Flowsheet for reflux classifier separation tests
The reflux classifier is a new type of gravity separation
device which can realize rapid and efficient separation of
materials by utilizing the principle of solid-liquid fluid-
ized bed and inclined plate sedimentation. Its basic struc-
ture includes counter-current cavity, vertical column and
inclined plate. Ores are fed by the vertical column, and
ascending water is fed by the counter-current cavity, in
which particles are subjected to the comprehensive action
of gravity, buoyancy and water scouring force. High den-
sity particles sink to the bottom, while low density particles
move with the ascending water, and are further sorted in the
inclined plate area, and finally discharged from the upper
part as overflow (Galvin and Callen et al., 2010 Syed and
Dickinson et al., 2018).
Prior to the reflux classifier tests, Zn flotation tailings
were screened into +0.038 mm and –0.038 mm fractions.
The –0.038 mm fraction was deslimed using a hydrocy-
clone to reject the fine slime (–0.010 mm) which is detri-
mental to gravity separation. The +0.038 mm fraction and
deslimed –0.038 mm fraction were fed to the reflux classi-
fier respectively. Figure 7 illustrates the flowsheet used for
the reflux classifier test with the test results summarized in
Table 5.
The test results demonstrate that tailings with an
operation yield of 61.55% can be obtained by desliming
and reflux classifier processing. Coarse and fine underflow
products with different BaSO4 grades can be obtained, at a
62.50% total operation recovery of BaSO4.
Barite cleaning tests
In order to obtain a marketable barite product, the
reflux classifier underflow was subjected to barite upgrad-
ing step. The following cleaning process was proposed.
Flotation was performed firstly to remove the sulfide min-
erals from the Zn flotation tailings. Thereafter, a shaking
table cleaning process was used to upgrade the barite con-
tent in the flotation tailings. In this study, coarse and fine
reflux classifier underflow were processed using the same
process flowsheet as presented in Figure 8. Results of the
tests are contained in Table 6.
The test results demonstrate that sulphide tailings with
an operation yield of 26.80% were removed. Shaking table
tailings at an operation yield of 31.29% were also removed.
Barite concentrate at a 41.91% operation yield and 66.39%
operation recovery is obtained. In production practice, due Figure 6. Sketch of a reflux classifier
Feed
Desliming
Fine Overflow
Fine Slime
Fine Underflow
Reflux Classifier
Screening
+0.038mm -0.038mm
Reflux Classifier
Coarse Overflow Coarse Underflow
Figure 7. Flowsheet for reflux classifier separation tests