1

The Effect of Particle Size

Distribution on Froth Stability in
Flotation
Presented by:
Afnan Mufid (3334160008)
 2
Outline

1 Introduction

2 Experimental System

3 Result & Discussion

4 Conclusions

5 References
 3
INTRODUCTION

Froth
Flotation???

The most specific of the sorting processes as it operates

through the sensitive surface properties of the individuals
minerals.

J.D Gilchrist. Extraction Metallurgy. Pegamon Press. 1980

 4

INTRODUCTION

Variabel Operation

Size of Percentages of Method of

Temperature Time of
Particles Solid Flotation
Treatment
Employed

https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/basic-principle-variables-
affecting-froth-flotation
 5
Experimental System

Experimental system is continuously

overflowing bench-scale flotation cell.
Feed: Spherical Silica Ballotini
Collector: Tetradecyltrimethylammonium
bromide (TTAB)
Frother: Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC)
pH modifier: Sodium hydroxide solution
 6

Experimental System

Table 1. Set of Particle Size

 7

Experimental System

Figure 1. Cumulative particle size distributions for

the particle sets
 8

Experimental System
Table 2. Air rates and the equivalent superficial
gas velocities (Jg)
 9

Experimental System

Figure 2. Schematic of the bench-scale flotation cell

 10

Result & Discussion

The Effect of Particle Size on Air Recovery
Based on the graph above:
• at the highest air rate, where particle set
C, which has the smaller d80, yields
highest air recovery, so that yields the
most stable froth.
• Conversely, at the lowest air rate, it is
particle set B that yields the highest air
recovery
 11

Result & Discussion

The Effect of Particle Size on Indicated Flotation Performance
Based on the graph above:
• for the higher air rates, the coarsest
particle size distribution (A) results in the
highest solids content
• for the lower air rates, the finest particle
size distribution (C) results in the highest
solids content
 12

Conclusions
• The highest air recovery was obtained for the
finest distribution but only at the higher air
rate.
• At lower air rates, the intermediate distribution
resulted in the highest air recovery.
 13

Refferences
• J.D Gilchrist. Extraction Metallurgy. Pegamon
Press. 1980
• https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/basic-
principle-variables-affecting-froth-flotation
• A. Norori-McCormac, P.R. Brito-Parada, K.
Hadler*, K. Cole & J.J. Cilliers. The Effect of
Particle Sizeon Froth Stability in Flotation
 14

THANK YOU