7
present, it is clear that Senfroth 200 shows the smallest dif-
ference between the “with” and “without” other reagents
present. Senfroth 153 has an intermediate delta “with/
without” reagent froth height. Both of these frothers show
relatively small differences in the “with/without” condi-
tions. Senfroth 522, on the other hand shows a very large
difference between the “with/without” conditions and it is
relatively independent of the airflow rate. This raises inter-
esting questions on the complexities of frother-depressant-
collector interactions and the interactions of frother with
particles of changing hydrophobicity.
Figure 7 shows the average froth stability in seconds for
each frother evaluated with and without reagents.
The definition of froth stability is the ability of the bub-
bles in the froth to resist coalescence and bursting events [1].
Higher froth stability improves recovery at the expense of
Figure 5. A) 4E PGM head grade, B) Concentrate mass pull, C) 4E PGM recovery data, D) 4E PGM concentrate grade and E)
4E PGM tailings grade obtained during a Merensky ore plant trial comparing Senfroth 200 (Baseline) with Senfroth 153
Table 1. Difference between Hmax with reagents and Hmax
with no other reagents
Jg
(cm/s)
AHmax
Senfroth 200
(cm)
AHmax
Senfroth 153
(cm)
AHmax
Senfroth 522
(cm)
0.98 3.2 10.6 32.9
1.47 4.3 15.6 32.9
1.96 7.6 26.0 27.9
present, it is clear that Senfroth 200 shows the smallest dif-
ference between the “with” and “without” other reagents
present. Senfroth 153 has an intermediate delta “with/
without” reagent froth height. Both of these frothers show
relatively small differences in the “with/without” condi-
tions. Senfroth 522, on the other hand shows a very large
difference between the “with/without” conditions and it is
relatively independent of the airflow rate. This raises inter-
esting questions on the complexities of frother-depressant-
collector interactions and the interactions of frother with
particles of changing hydrophobicity.
Figure 7 shows the average froth stability in seconds for
each frother evaluated with and without reagents.
The definition of froth stability is the ability of the bub-
bles in the froth to resist coalescence and bursting events [1].
Higher froth stability improves recovery at the expense of
Figure 5. A) 4E PGM head grade, B) Concentrate mass pull, C) 4E PGM recovery data, D) 4E PGM concentrate grade and E)
4E PGM tailings grade obtained during a Merensky ore plant trial comparing Senfroth 200 (Baseline) with Senfroth 153
Table 1. Difference between Hmax with reagents and Hmax
with no other reagents
Jg
(cm/s)
AHmax
Senfroth 200
(cm)
AHmax
Senfroth 153
(cm)
AHmax
Senfroth 522
(cm)
0.98 3.2 10.6 32.9
1.47 4.3 15.6 32.9
1.96 7.6 26.0 27.9