Application of Pneumatic flotation column in other metal mines

The unique bubble generator of the flotation column produces a large number of fine bubbles instantly by bursting high-pressure gas through the nozzle. In addition to significant advantages in mineral recovery at fine particle size (50~5 micrometers) compared to traditional flotation equipment, inflatable flotation column also has features such as low energy consumption, small footprint, and high equipment operating rate.

In recent years, due to breakthroughs in experimental flotation column technology, the application field of inflatable flotation column has rapidly expanded, including not only common molybdenum, tungsten, copper, and copper-molybdenum separation, but also newly developed application fields as follows:

1.Comprehensive recovery of sulfur (pyrite)

A medium-sized mine in Jiangsu Province used one φ3000×10000mm flotation column for roughing and six flotation machines for scavenging in a combined sulfur selection and transformation project. After nearly a year of normal operation, not only the sulfur recovery rate increased by 1.5%, but also the electricity consumption decreased by 2 kWh/t. The long-standing problem of sulfur overflow in sulfide flotation was also solved, improving the production operation environment and reducing maintenance workload, achieving good transformation results.Details as below:

2.Mixed flotation of molybdenum and bismuth

A multi-metal beneficiation plant in Shizhuyuan, Hunan Province used four flotation columns from our company for desulfurization and mixed flotation of molybdenum and bismuth. After more than one year of production, the equipment has been running stably with excellent indicators, meeting the design targets.

3.Copper-molybdenum separation

A large copper mine in China is a large-scale primary impregnated skarn-type copper deposit, with native sulfide ores accounting for more than 95% of the total ore reserves, and oxide ores and mixed ores accounting for a small proportion.

The main useful components in the ore are Cu, with a grade of 0.71%; followed by Mo, with a content of 0.02%, which can be comprehensively recovered. The main gangue components in the ore are SiO2 and CaO, with contents of 31.90% and 28.60%, respectively.

Due to the high carbonate content in the original ore, secondary slime is easily produced during grinding, which affects flotation, and after analysis and discussion, it is determined that this is the main reason affecting the indicators of molybdenum concentrate. According to the analysis conclusions, the rectification plan is determined as follows: the original copper-molybdenum separation process flowsheet is changed from one roughing, one scavenging, and four cleaning to two cleanings, using two flotation columns instead of the original four cleanings.

After the transformation, the grade of molybdenum concentrate increased from 36% to 46.5%, and the recovery rate increased from about 65% to over 72%, achieving significant economic benefits.

4.Deinking of waste paper

Our company has jointly carried out the application of inflatable flotation column in the field of waste paper deinking with Beijing  Forestry University, and the results of small-scale tests and semi-industrial tests are good. The pulp after deinking with flotation column has high whiteness, meeting the requirements of regeneration.

For more information,pls always feel free to contact Jupiter mining,Thank you!