Contact

Prof. Dr. Jens Gutzmer (PhD ZA)
Director
Phone: +49 351 260 - 4400

PD Dr. Simone Raatz
Administrative Manager
Phone: +49 351 260 - 4747

Anne-Kristin Jentzsch
Press Officer
Phone: +49 351 260 - 4429

Vanessa Weitzel
Secretary
Phone: +49 351 260 - 4404

Vorschau-Bild

FineFuture

FineFuture Logo ©Copyright: FineFuture

The FineFuture project researches new ways to exploit the recovery of fine particle fractions in metalliferous raw materials. Separating very fine particles is important for the valorization of multiple mineral resources, for example nickel, kaolin, feldspar, talc and magnesite. With a particular focus on froth flotation, the project aims at enabling the development of groundbreaking technologies in the raw materials sector.

Konturanalyse von Tropfen ©Copyright: HZDR/Detlev Müller

Contour analysis of drops, Foto: HZDR/Detlev Müller

Innovative technologies and concepts for the recovery of ultra fine particles

Froth flotation is arguably the most important mineral separation technique. By making use of differences in surface properties between minerals, valuable particles are concentrated in large tanks by attaching to bubbles, which form a froth phase that overflows as a mineral-rich concentrate. However, current flotation technologies do not work adequately for fine particles, below 20 μm in size. This is a serious challenge at present limiting the exploitation of deposits and proper recycling of end of life products containing Critical Raw Materials. This FineFuture project will advance the fundamental understanding of fine particle flotation phenomena, which will lead to the development of novel technological solutions.

Coordinator of the project is the HZDR, which participates with the Institute for Fluid Dynamics and the HIF. HZDR researchers are investigating innovative technologies for exploration, processing, metallurgy and recycling. Particular emphasis is on novel measurement technologies on all relevant length scales, combined with numerical modelling and on high technology metals like indium, gallium, germanium and rare earth elements.


Project title:

Innovative technologies and concepts for fine particle flotation: unlocking future fine-grained deposits and Critical Raw Materials resources for the EU

Official website:

www.finefuture-h2020.eu

Project partners:

Duration:

10.06.2019 - 31.05.2022

Funding:

Logo EU ©Copyright: EU

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 821265