A New Particle-Bubble Attachment Timer as a Quick Diagnostic Tool for Mineral Floatability Testing

Markus Aspiala, Nora Schreithofer, Rodrigo Serna Guerrero

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The novel attachment timer apparatus presented in this paper serves as a diagnostic tool that allows the detection of changes in bubble-particle attachment probability and therefore floatability caused by alterations in the chemical environment and particle properties. The apparatus consists of six identical capillaries, where bubbles with defined size are produced simultaneously in a measurement chamber. The bubbles at the capillary tips are placed in contact with the submerged particle bed for specific time periods, controlled with the help of automatic actuators. The advantage of the instrument is that hundreds of bubble-particle contacts can be measured automatically within a short time period. Microscopic pictures of each measured bubble are taken while recording the movement of the bubble before, during, and after contact with the solid particles. The recorded pictures can be used to determine the actual bubble size and its corresponding deviation, and to detect the attachment of particles. The attached particles are collected in a detachable chamber for subsequent characterization. Furthermore, the device is portable and can be taken to mineral processing plants for quick evaluation of particle-bubble attachment probability with particles and process water sampled directly from real processes.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPROCEEDINGS OF COM 2017 – 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF METALLURGISTS HOSTING WORLD GOLD AND NICKEL-COBALT
PublisherCanadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-926872-36-0
Publication statusPublished - 2017
MoE publication typeA4 Conference publication
EventConference of Metallurgists: Hosting World Gold and Nickel-Cobalt - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 27 Aug 201730 Aug 2017
Conference number: 56
http://web.cim.org/com2017/

Conference

ConferenceConference of Metallurgists
Abbreviated titleCOM
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period27/08/201730/08/2017
Internet address

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