Hydrodynamics within the Flotation Cell
Turbulent streaming conditions within the flotation cell treated with gas |
Whether or not particles adhere to bubbles and particle-bubble agglomerates remain stable, strongly depends on chemical and physical phase properties, but not only. It also depends on turbulent streaming conditions within the flotation cell.
The Processing Department investigates hydrodynamic processes with the goal to increase the collision frequency between bubbles and particles - especially the ultra-fine fractions – and thus to improve the beneficiation of valuable minerals. Among other things, different rotor-stator systems are being tested as well as the ideal gas quantity that needs to be fed into the flotation cell. Another important factor, the team looks at, is the pulp density.
Dynamic froth analysis |
All measurements are being conducted in laboratory and pilot plant scale by using the following devices or methods:
- Power meter
- Rheometer
- Bubble viewer
- Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Techniques
In this, the Processing Department cooperates closely with the HZDR Institute of Fluid Dynamics, especially with the two Departments for Experimental Thermal Fluid Dynamics and Transport Processes at Interfaces. Another partner is the Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Processing Technology (MVTAT) at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Selected Publications
- Hoang, H.D.; Leißner, T.; Haser, S.; Rudolph. M.; Peuker, U. A.
"Using the Mineral Liberation Analyzer for mineralogical studies of a carbonaceous apatite ore", International conference on Advances in Mining and Tunnelling, International conferences on earth sciences and sustainable geo-resources development 2016, Hanoi
- Hoang, H.D.; Leißner, T.; Sterbik, N.; Haser, S.; Rudolph. M.; Peuker, U. A.
"Application of the Mineral Liberation Analyzer in mineral processing", International Forum-Contest of Young researchers, Topical issues of rational use of natural resources, Saint-Petersburg, 2017
- Hoang, H. D.; Kupka, N.; Peuker, U.A.; Rudolph, M.
"Flotation study of fine grained carbonaceous sedimentary apatite ore – Challenges in process mineralogy and impact of hydrodynamics", Minerals Engineering 121(2018)
DOI-Link: 10.1016/j.mineng.2018.03.021