Influence of pulp pulsation on the batch flotation of galena

An experimental investigation into the effect of pulp pulsation on the flot ation of an artificial mixture of galena and quartz has been conducted. Lab oratory experiments have shown that the recovery and kinetics of lead flota tion can be improved significantly by pulsating the pulp, while the grade a nd selectivity of the lead remained virtually unchanged. Pulsation of the p ulp led to structural change of bubbles. An increase in the number of bubbl es and a decrease in the bubble size resulted in an increase in the gas hol dup in the pulp and a likely increase in the bubble-particle collision rate . Likewise, the viscosity of the slurry could be decreased by means of pulp vibration, enhancing mass transfer between the slurry phase and froth phas e. At the same time, the energy input by pulp pulsation could help to lower the energy barrier for bubble-particle attachment by lowering the inductio n time of the attachment. Tn addition, non-selectively attached particles c ould be stripped off the bubble surface by the inertial forces acting on th e particles during pulsation of the pulp. Image analysis of the froth showe d that pulsation resulted in a more stable froth, with more numerous, small er bubbles with higher loadings.