EP4171826A1 - Flotation arrangement and method - Google Patents

Flotation arrangement and method

Info

Publication number
EP4171826A1
EP4171826A1 EP21833355.7A EP21833355A EP4171826A1 EP 4171826 A1 EP4171826 A1 EP 4171826A1 EP 21833355 A EP21833355 A EP 21833355A EP 4171826 A1 EP4171826 A1 EP 4171826A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flotation
vessel
arrangement
unit
froth layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21833355.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4171826A4 (en
Inventor
Ian SHERRELL
Antti Rinne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Metso Finland Oy
Original Assignee
Metso Outotec Finland Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Metso Outotec Finland Oy filed Critical Metso Outotec Finland Oy
Publication of EP4171826A1 publication Critical patent/EP4171826A1/en
Publication of EP4171826A4 publication Critical patent/EP4171826A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/02Froth-flotation processes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/02Froth-flotation processes
    • B03D1/025Froth-flotation processes adapted for the flotation of fines
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/08Subsequent treatment of concentrated product
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/14Flotation machines
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/14Flotation machines
    • B03D1/1418Flotation machines using centrifugal forces
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/14Flotation machines
    • B03D1/24Pneumatic
    • B03D1/242Nozzles for injecting gas into the flotation tank
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/14Flotation machines
    • B03D1/24Pneumatic
    • B03D1/247Mixing gas and slurry in a device separate from the flotation tank, i.e. reactor-separator type
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2203/00Specified materials treated by the flotation agents; Specified applications
    • B03D2203/02Ores

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a flotation arrangement.
  • the invention further relates to a method for flotation.
  • a flota tion arrangement comprising a mill arranged for producing slurry, a flotation section comprising at least one flota- tion unit, provided with a feed system for receiving slur ry to be handled in said flotation unit, an overflow means for removing flotation concentrate, an outlet for removing underflow.
  • the flotation unit comprises a fluid bed device comprising devices for creating a fluid bed and/or a froth device comprising devices for creating a froth layer, wherein particles are fed for interaction with the froth layer in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proximity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combi nations thereof.
  • the flotation section is followed by a first classification unit, and the flotation section (12) is arranged for receiving, from the mill, slurry feed from which particles under 300 ym are not removed.
  • the flota tion section is operably connected to an inlet of the first classification unit for classification of said un- derflow exiting from the flotation section into a fine un derflow stream (F) and a coarse underflow stream that is tailings.
  • a meth od for flotation the method comprising
  • the flotation unit (1) comprises a fluid bed device comprising devices for creating a fluid bed and/or a froth device comprising devices for creating a froth layer, wherein particles are fed for interaction with the froth layer in the froth lay er, under the froth layer to close proximity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof,
  • the flotation unit comprises devices for creating a fluid bed.
  • the flotation unit comprises devices for creating a froth layer, wherein particles are fed for interaction with froth layer in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proximity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof.
  • the flotation unit comprises the devic es for creating a fluid bed and the devices for creating a froth layer, wherein particles are fed for interaction with froth layer in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proximity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof.
  • the classification unit comprises a classification cyclone.
  • the fine underflow stream from the first classification unit is arranged to be fed to a flotation system comprising at least one flotation vessel.
  • the flotation vessel is a fluid bed de vice comprising devices for creating a fluid bed.
  • An ad vantage is that recovery of near-floating particles may be improved with added buoyancy of fluid bed.
  • the flotation vessel is a device com prising devices for creating a froth layer, wherein parti cles are fed for interaction with froth layer in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proximity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof.
  • the flotation system comprises at least three flotation vessels arranged in series such that the outlet for removing underflow of a preceding flotation vessel is connected to the inlet of a following flotation vessel.
  • the flotation vessel comprises the de vice comprising an inlet connected for receiving feed to be handled in said flotation vessel and arranged to a low er part of the flotation vessel, an overflow means for re moving flotation concentrate, arranged to an upper part of the flotation vessel, and an outlet for removing under flow, arranged to a lower part of the flotation vessel.
  • the flotation vessel comprises a me chanical agitator for agitating surry in said vessel.
  • the flotation vessel comprises a me chanical agitator for creating bubbles in said vessel.
  • the flotation vessel comprises a closed vessel for a pressurized flotation, wherein flotation con centrate is removed by pressure from the vessel.
  • a high recovery may be achieved since there are no losses in the froth.
  • the flotation vessel comprises devices for pneumatical gas addition. An advantage is that a bet ter product grade and/or improved recovery of fine parti cles may be achieved.
  • At least one of the flotation vessels is a froth separation device comprising devices for creat ing a froth layer, comprising an inlet connected for re DCving feed to be handled in said flotation vessel and arranged to an upper part of the flotation vessel, an overflow means for removing flotation concentrate, ar ranged to an upper part of the flotation vessel, and an outlet for removing underflow, arranged to a lower part of the flotation vessel.
  • the flotation vessel comprises a down comer for slurry infeed, the downcomer equipped with a nozzle for feeding pressurized flotation gas in slurry therein.
  • the downcomer comprises an outlet noz zle configured to induce a supersonic shockwave into the slurry as it exits the downcomer.
  • the arrangement comprises a second sep aration unit arranged for preventing large particles en tering in the first classification unit.
  • a second sep aration unit arranged for preventing large particles en tering in the first classification unit.
  • the second separation unit comprises a grizzly or a grating.
  • An advantage is that a simple struc ture of the separation unit may be achieved.
  • the second classification unit is con nected to the mill for returning large particles back to the mill for further grinding.
  • An advantage is that large particles containing valuable minerals may be grinded in size that may enter in the fine underflow stream.
  • the flotation unit is deployed in an open-circuit configuration.
  • the flotation unit is deployed in a closed-circuit configuration.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of an arrangement and a meth od
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of another arrangement and method
  • Figure 3 is a schematic view of a flotation system and a method
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of another flotation system and a method
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third flotation system.
  • some embodiments are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Similar parts are marked with the same reference numbers in the figures.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a flotation arrangement 100 and a method.
  • the arrangement 100 comprises a mill 2 arranged for pro ducing slurry, and a flotation section 12 comprising at least one flotation unit 1.
  • the mill 2 may be e.g. an autogenous grinding mill, or a semi-autogenous grinding mill, or a high-pressure grinding roll.
  • the flotation section 12 includes one flotation unit 1. In another embodiments, there may be two, three or even more flotation units in the flotation section. If there are plurality of flotation units, they all may be of same type, or alternatively, there may be at least two types of flotation units.
  • the flotation unit 1 comprises a feed system 3 arranged to receive slurry to be handled in said flotation unit 1 from which slurry particles under 300 ym are not removed.
  • the location of the feed system 3 depends on the type of the flotation unit 1. Thus, the feed system 3 may be located to a lower part, to an upper part or to a mid-part of the flotation unit 1.
  • the flotation unit 1 further comprises an overflow means 4 for removing flotation concentrate from said flotation unit, and an outlet 5 for removing underflow from said flotation unit.
  • the units are in series such that a first of the of flota tion units 1 is arranged to receive slurry to be handled in the flotation section 12, and the outlet 5 of a preced ing flotation unit 1 is connected to the feed system 3 of a following flotation unit 1.
  • the last one of the plurali ty of flotation units 1 is arranged to remove underflow from the flotation section 12.
  • the arrangement 100 further comprises a first classifica tion unit 6 comprising an inlet 7.
  • the inlet 7 is arranged for receiving underflow from the flotation section 12.
  • the first classification unit 6 is adapted for classification of the underflow into a fine underflow stream F and a coarse underflow stream that is tailings.
  • the flotation unit 1 comprises a fluid bed device comprising devices for creating a fluid bed in the flotation unit 1.
  • the flotation unit 1 comprises a froth device that has devices for cre ating a froth layer in the flotation unit 1. The froth layer may interact with particles of the product stream.
  • the product stream is arranged to be fed in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proxim ity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof.
  • close proximity means distance of 20 cm or less from the froth layer in this description.
  • the product stream is arranged to be fed in the froth layer, under the froth layer not more than 2 cm therefrom, or above the froth layer, or any combina tions thereof.
  • the flotation unit 1 comprises both the devices for creating a fluid bed and the devices for cre ating a froth layer.
  • the first classification unit 6 comprises a cyclone.
  • the first classifi cation unit 6 comprises, in addition to or as an alterna tive to a cyclone, one or more of a non-mechanical sedi mentation classifier, e.g., a settling cone; a mechanical sedimentation clas-sifier, e.g., a rake classifier or a spiral classifier; a free-settling classifier; and a hin- dered-settling classifier, e.g., a hydrosizer.
  • a non-mechanical sedi mentation classifier e.g., a settling cone
  • a mechanical sedimentation clas-sifier e.g., a rake classifier or a spiral classifier
  • free-settling classifier e.g., a hydrosizer.
  • the fine underflow stream F is fed from the first classification unit 6 to a flotation system 20 comprising at least one flotation vessel 21.
  • the flotation system 20 is discussed more detailed in connection with Figures 3 and 4.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of another arrangement and a method.
  • the arrangement comprises a second sepa ration unit 13 that is arranged for preventing large par ticles entering in the first classification unit 6.
  • the large particles may contain valuable minerals, but they are too large for entering in the fine underflow stream F.
  • the second separation unit 13 is arranged between the flotation unit 1 and the first classification unit 6. In another embodi ment, the second separation unit 13 is arranged before the flotation unit 1 for preventing large particles entering also in the flotation unit 1.
  • the second classification unit 13 com prises a grizzly or a grating.
  • the second classification unit 13 is connected to the mill 2 so that large particles can be returned to the mill 2 for further grinding.
  • FIG 3 is a schematic view of a flotation system and a method
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of another flota tion system and method.
  • the flotation system 20 is ar ranged in fluid communication with the first classifica tion unit 6 described in this description so that the fine underflow stream F created in the first classification unit 6 is fed to the flotation system 20 that comprises at least one flotation vessel 21.
  • the first classification unit 6 is oper ated in an open-circuit configuration, i.e. without recir- culation of material back into the first classification unit 6.
  • the flotation vessel 21 is one of the following: a fluid bed device comprising devices for creating a fluid bed, or a device comprising devices for creating a froth layer, wherein particles are fed for interaction with froth layer in the froth layer, under the froth layer to close proxim ity thereof, or above the froth layer, or any combinations thereof, or a device comprising devices for pneumatical gas addition, or a closed vessel for a pressurized flotation, wherein flo tation concentrate is removed by pressure from the vessel, or a device (such as shown in Figure 3) comprising an inlet 22 connected for receiving feed to be handled in said flo tation vessel and arranged to a lower part of the flota tion vessel 21, an overflow means 15 for removing flota tion concentrate, arranged to an upper part of the flota tion vessel (21), and an outlet 25 for removing underflow, arranged to a lower part of the flotation vessel 21.
  • close proximity means distance of 20 cm or less from the flota froth
  • the flotation system 20 comprises at least three flotation vessels 21 arranged in series such that the outlet 25 for removing underflow of a preceding flotation vessel 21 is connected to the inlet 22 of a fol lowing flotation vessel 21.
  • all the flotation vessels 21 in the flotation system 20 are of same type.
  • the flotation vessel 21 comprises a me chanical agitator for agitating surry in said vessel. Ad ditionally, or alternatively, a mechanical agitator may be used for creating bubbles in the vessel.
  • the flota tion vessel 21 is a froth separation device comprising de vices for creating a froth layer, wherein an inlet 22 con nected for receiving feed to be handled in said flotation vessel is arranged to an upper part of the flotation ves sel 21, an overflow means 15 for removing flotation con centrate is arranged to an upper part of the flotation vessel 21, and an outlet 19 for removing underflow is ar ranged to a lower part of the flotation vessel 21.
  • the flotation vessel 21 comprises at least one downcomer that feeds slurry in the vessel.
  • the downcomer is equipped with a nozzle for feeding pressur ized flotation gas in slurry therein. Additionally, the downcomer comprises an outlet nozzle that is configured to induce a supersonic shockwave into mixture of gas and slurry as it exits the downcomer.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third flotation system.
  • the flotation ves sel 21 is a closed pressurized vessel where pressurized flotation may take place and wherefrom the flotation con centrate is removed by pressure.
  • no froth is created in the vessel, but loaded bubbles are collected before a froth is generated.
  • An inlet 22 may be arranged to a lower part of the flota tion vessel 21, an overflow means 15 may be arranged for removing flotation concentrate to an upper part of the flotation vessel 21, and an outlet 19 for removing under flow may be arranged to a lower part of the flotation ves- sel 21.
  • the flotation vessels 21 may be installed on the same level (as shown), since flowing from a vessel to next vessel takes place by virtue of pressure created in the vessels.
  • an outlet 19 for removing underflow may be arranged to an upper part of the flotation vessel 21.
  • the pressurized vessel comprises a me- chanical agitator.
  • a me- chanical agitator is known as "Direct Flotation Reactor" (DFR).
  • all the flotation vessels 21 arranged in the flotation system 20 may be of same type, or alternatively, there may be at least two types of flo tation vessels.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Crushing And Grinding (AREA)
  • Combined Means For Separation Of Solids (AREA)
EP21833355.7A 2020-06-30 2021-06-23 FLOTATION ARRANGEMENT AND PROCESS Pending EP4171826A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202063046231P 2020-06-30 2020-06-30
PCT/FI2021/050486 WO2022003242A1 (en) 2020-06-30 2021-06-23 Flotation arrangement and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4171826A1 true EP4171826A1 (en) 2023-05-03
EP4171826A4 EP4171826A4 (en) 2024-06-19

Family

ID=78989994

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21833355.7A Pending EP4171826A4 (en) 2020-06-30 2021-06-23 FLOTATION ARRANGEMENT AND PROCESS

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4171826A4 (zh)
CN (2) CN113856913A (zh)
AU (1) AU2021300601A1 (zh)
CA (1) CA3184601A1 (zh)
CL (1) CL2022003789A1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2022003242A1 (zh)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3098818A (en) * 1961-04-05 1963-07-23 Denver Equip Co Concentration apparatus and method
US3539000A (en) * 1967-08-05 1970-11-10 Bergwerksverband Gmbh Classification by flotation
CA1173980A (en) * 1981-11-10 1984-09-04 Noranda Mines Limited Dore slag treatment
US8881911B2 (en) * 2007-08-28 2014-11-11 Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd. Method for improving flotation cell performance
BR112017022645B1 (pt) * 2015-04-22 2021-08-03 Anglo American Services (Uk) Ltd Processo para recuperar metais valiosos provenientes de minério
PE20190703A1 (es) * 2016-10-04 2019-05-15 Cidra Corporate Services Llc Tecnica de modificacion de la distribucion del tamano de clasificacion de particulas basada en medios hidrofobos para mejorar la separacion por flotacion en lecho fluidizado
AU2019324949A1 (en) * 2018-08-24 2021-04-22 Newcrest Mining Limited Recovering valuable material from an ore
CN109759241B (zh) * 2019-01-31 2019-11-29 中国矿业大学 一种宽粒度级煤泥浮选的装置及方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN217313904U (zh) 2022-08-30
AU2021300601A1 (en) 2023-02-16
CA3184601A1 (en) 2022-01-06
CN113856913A (zh) 2021-12-31
EP4171826A4 (en) 2024-06-19
CL2022003789A1 (es) 2023-07-07
WO2022003242A1 (en) 2022-01-06

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