Optimization of counter-current flotation circuits

✍ Scribed by D.G. Hulbert

• Book ID: 103955897
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 688 KB
• Volume: 59
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0923-0467
• DOI: 10.1016/0923-0467(95)02999-0

✦ Synopsis

The optimized operation of a flotation circuit is investigated analytically. The analysis gives a simple and exact solution for cases where the concentrations of streams can be characterized adequately by scalar values. The method can also apply to the general case with concentration vectors, for which the more intricate analysis has not yet been completed.

The solution of the scalar version gives some insight into the general case and a simple adaptation might give a first approximation of the general solution. The method introduces "enrichment functions", which can be derived from flotation rate models, by other modelling techniques or from practical measurements. The enrichment function describes the upgrading of concentrations and has several features that make it useful in practical and theoretical applications.

One of these features is its facilitation of the analysis of optimization.