MinFroth - Characterization of froth in mineral flotation of sulfide ores

Purpose and goal

There are several industrial advantages with a more effective way to optimize the froth formation in different steps of mineral flotation processes. The main objective of this pre-study was therefore to provide and demonstrate an effective approach for characterization of froth in mineral flotation. The approach focuses on and the results have shown that a portable dynamic foam analyzer can be used for characterization of froth taken from different steps in mineral flotation processes, in some cases combined with surface chemical characterization for an increased understanding.

Expected results and effects

In this project, a dynamic foam analyzer was evaluated to characterize froth from different steps in mineral flotation processes. The results show that the foam analyzer can be used to characterize froth in flotation of sulfide minerals. However, since these froths are dark and the analyzer is based on light transmission, not all measured data from the analyzer were useful. Therefore, in order to study froth formation in more detail, the froth tests were recorded by video. With the help of video films more detailed information about the froth formation and froth stability was obtained.

Planned approach and implementation

The project included five work packages. In WP1 a smaller froth characterization study were performed at RISE on a few samples, including tests of different ways to run the experiments. WP2 included a larger froth characterization study during one week at Aitik. In WP3 additional analyses of some samples from WP2 were performed, such as analyses of both bulk- and surface chemistry for a few different material fractions. The preliminary planned work in WP4 could not be performed due to budget restrictions. The project results were then summarized at the final meeting (WP5).