Batch flotation of a complex sulphide ore by use of pulsated sparged air

Pulsation of air sparged into the flotation cell of a complex sulphide ore led to vibration of the bubbles in the pulp, and enhanced bubble-particle c ollision. The thinning and destruction of the intervening thin liquid film between the particle and the bubble decreased the energy barrier, as a resu lt of which the particle-bubble attachment rate increased. In addition, bub ble surface vibration stripped mechanically entrapped hydrophilic particles and weakly attached aggregates form the bubble surfaces. Image analysis of the froth showed that the froth formed with bubble vibration was more stab le, bubble sizes were smaller and the bubble loading was markedly higher. U nder proper vibration intensities, better sulphide recoveries and higher gr ades of concentrates could be obtained. The flotation recovery and grade in creased by about 2.3 and 1.2 percentage points, respectively for a sample o f 60%/ - 75 mu m and by about 3.5 and 2.0 percentage points for a sample of 85%/ - 75 mu m. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.