Contact
Dr. Martin Rudolph
Head Processing
Head Interfaces
m.rudolph
hzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 4410
Dr. Duong Huu Hoang
Research Associate (recomine re_pNEU Project)
Processing
d.hoanghzdr.de
Processing infrastructure at HIF
Successful processing technologies require more than laboratory proof-of-concept. They require validation and scalability.
Our institute operates dedicated upscaling infrastructures to ultimately bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial deployment for minerals processing and recycling. Pilot-scale reactors, modular processing units, advanced control systems, and integrated analytical capabilities allow us to evaluate process performance under realistic technical conditions.
This infrastructure enables:
- Continuous and batch process scale-up
- Process stability and reproducibility testing
- Mass and energy balance validation
- Automation and digitalization
- Technology readiness level (TRL) advancement
|
Examples TRL 8 |
|
|
Ultrafine grinding 12 L Ro-Star Description: Vertical stirred mill with a 12 litre grinding chamber volume used for ultra-fine wet grinding of mineral slurries. It’s designed to produce very fine particle sizes well below those achievable with conventional mills such as ball mills.
|
|
| Lab pneumatic cell
Description: Bench-scale lab pneumatic Imhoflot V-Cell, for high-intensity separation of fine and ultra-fine minerals. Enables controlled testing, reagent optimization, and reliable data generation for process development and scale-up.
|
|
|
Pilot Imhoflot FF800 Description: Pilot pneumatic Imhoflot G-Cell, for high-intensity separation of fine and ultra-fine minerals. Enables controlled testing, reagent optimization, and reliable data generation for process development and scale-up.
|
|
|
REFLUXTM flotation cell (RFC) Description: The laboratory-scale RFC consists of three major parts, namely, the top section consisting of a bubble generator (a porous tube with a downcomer), a fluidized wash water system, and inclined channels at the bottom. The feed slurry is introduced from the top and is aerated through a porous tube, creating sub-millimetre size bubbles, being thus ideal for fine particle separation.
|
|
|
Eriez® CPT Mini pilot plant for flotation Description: The device enables metallurgical feasibility studies by simulating plant circuitry and allowing rapid evaluation of multiple circuit configurations, grind sizes, and reagent chemistries. At HIF, the system has been employed to optimize reagent regimes before the start of industrial campaigns.
|
|
|
Example TRL 5 |
|
|
FrothPiping multi-stage fine-particle separation prototype Description: The device enables multi-stage selective separation of fine (<200 µm), very fine (<50 µm), and ultrafine (<20 µm) particles by using the froth phase as an active separation medium. In this process, particle-loaded froth flows horizontally through a pipeline equipped with addition and drainage channels, where particle fractions are selectively discharged. Optional modules — such as ultrasonication, temperature control, or electromagnetic fields — further enhance selectivity.
|
|
