A numerical study of the effect of gas distribution profile across the pulp-froth interface on flotation performance

Journal article

Authors / Editors

Danha, Gwiranai

Research Areas

No matching items found.

Publication Details

Author list: Bhondayi C, Moys MH, Danha G, Fanuchi D

Publisher: Elsevier

Place: AMSTERDAM

Publication year: 2015

Journal: Powder Technology (0032-5910)

Journal acronym: POWDER TECHNOL

Volume number: 286

Start page: 22

End page: 30

Number of pages: 9

ISSN: 0032-5910

eISSN: 1873-328X

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

View in Web of Science | View on publisher site | View citing articles in Web of Science

Abstract

A solution to the Laplace equation developed using a semi-analytical method termed the method of false transients was used to study the impact of the distribution of gas across the pulp-froth interface on froth performance. Simulation results indicated that profiling gas across the pulp-froth interface has a huge impact on bubble breakage across the surface of the froth and consequently results in different air recoveries. Further, gas flux distribution across the interface also resulted in changes in both bubble and particle residence time distribution. Comparison of predictions from residence time distribution and air recovery to experimental flotation performance was in partial agreement. The discrepancy between model predictions and experimental results was attributed to the fact that the current model does not take into account important froth-phase sub-processes such as bubble coalescence and froth drainage. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Flotation, Froth recovery, Froth residence time, Gas flux distribution, Laplace equation, Method of Lines

Documents