Modelling the influence of the froth phase on recovery in batch and continuous flotation cells

• Main Author: Mathe, Z T
• Other Authors: Franzidis, J-P
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10851

To determine model parameters, a large data set was required. This is due to the semi-empirical nature of the proposed froth model. In this regard, the use of data obtained from continuously operated cells was therefore not suitable for deriving model parameters. It was thought that this could only be achieved by using data obtained from a batch flotation cell. A batch flotation cell has a distinct advantage of being suitable for generating, rapidly, large amount of data. However, the non-steady behaviour of froths found in this type of cell require a robust methodology for extracting the necessary parameters. In return this methodology was developed in this thesis. The main hypothesis of this methodology is that batch flotation performance, in terms of recovery, can be adequately approximated by treating a batch test as if it consists of a series of tests carried out in continuously operated flotation cells. Each flotation time interval is regarded as a single stage. Treating batch data in this manner allows for the derivation of desired kinetic parameters to describe flotation performance.