Simulating stable orientations of orthorhombic particles in thin films and their effect on stability

Gareth D.M. Morris, Stephen J. Neethling, Jan J. Cilliers

Froth and Foam Research Group Rio Tinto Centre for Advanced Mineral Recovery Imperial College London

Pelculas delgadas estabilizadas por partculas

Flotation is subject to variables over a large range of scales

Particle stabilised thin films

100 ltr/min 10 mm 10 m

1000 T/Hr

Simulation of particles in films

Simulacin de partculas en pelculas

Non-spherical particles in films

Partculas no-esfricas en pelculas
Non spherical particles can have more than one stable orientation in a film.

Jagged surfaces and sharp edges cause distortion of the film surface. Sharp edges on particles can draw the opposite sides of the film together, causing rupture.

Stable orientations
Orientaciones estables
There are 4 stable orientations for orthorhombic particles. They fall into two categories; Flat and Twisted.

Flat
Plano

Twisted Retorcido
Rotated Diagonal

Vertical
Horizontal

Flat orientations
Orientaciones planas

Vertical

Horizontal

Twisted orientations
Orientaciones retorcidas

Diagonal

Rotated

Aspect ratio and contact angle

Relacin de aspecto y ngulo de contacto
Aspect Ratio Long thin 1.8 particles

Cubic particles

Stable orientations Contact angle depend upon the More hydrophobic Contact angle and 90 the aspect ratio (AR). Aspect ratio = s1 /s2
s2 s1 s2 s1

Flat wide particles

0.72

45 Less hydrophobic

Simplified table
Particle

AR 45 60 65 70 75 80 90 0.65 0.85 1 F F F F F F F F F F F F F/T F/T T T T T T

F/T F/T

1.18
1.82

F
F

F
F

F/T F/T

T
T

T
T

F/T F/T F/T

Rotating hydrophobic cube (=88)

Cubo hidrofbico rotado

Film distortion by cubic particles

Distorsin de pelculas por partculas cbicas

Hydrophobic cubic particle (=88) rotating from flat to rotated orientation

Particle

Partculas delgadas largas AR 45 60 65 70 75 80 90

0.65 0.85 F F F F F F F F F F/T F/T T T T

Long thin particles

1
1.18 1.82

F
F F

F
F F

F
F

F/T F/T
F/T F/T

T
T T

T
T T

F/T F/T F/T

Film stability for long thin particles

Estabilidad de pelcula para partculas delgadas largas

Particle

Partculas planas anchas AR 45 60 65 70 75 80 90 0.65 0.85 F F F F F F F F F F/T F/T T T T

Flat wide particles

1
1.18 1.82

F
F F

F
F F

F
F

F/T F/T
F/T F/T

T
T T

T
T T

F/T F/T F/T

Film stability for flat wide particles

Estabilidad de pelcula para partculas planas anchas

Summary
Resumen
Flat orientations provide much higher film stability than twisted ones.
Las orientaciones planas proveen una mayor estabilidad de pelcula que las retorcidas.

Wider flatter particles are more stable in flat orientations.

Partculas ms anchas y planas son ms estables en orientaciones planas.

Stable orientations change from flat to twisted between 65 and 75. The specific contact angle depends on shape.
Las orientaciones estables cambian de planas a retorcidas entre 65 y 75 . El ngulo de contacto especfico depende de la forma.

Conclusions for flotation

Conclusiones para flotacin
Greater froth stability can be achieved if particles have flat orientations.
Una mejor estabilidad de espuma se obtiene si las partculas tienen orientaciones planas.

A lower hydrophobicity makes flat orientations more stable for all shapes.

Hidrofobicidades menores hacen que las orientaciones planas sean ms estables para todas las formas.

High hydrophobicity is desirable in the pulp for collection. Low hydrophobicity is desirable in the froth for stability. An equilibrium is required.
Alta hidrofobicidad es deseable en la pulpa para la coleccin. Baja hidrofobicidad es deseable en la espuma para la estabilidad. El equilibrio es necesario.

Acknowledgements
With Thanks to Rio Tinto and Imperial College London for their support in this research

Simulating stable orientations of orthorhombic particles in thin films and their effect on stability

Gareth D.M. Morris, Stephen J. Neethling, Jan J. Cilliers

Froth and Foam Research Group Rio Tinto Centre for Advanced Mineral Recovery Imperial College London