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During the flotation process, it is important to observe the state of froths in flotation cells to adjust the flotation effect when equipment and technology is normal running. Workers need to decide whether and how it needs to adjust for the dosing of reagents, the output of concentrates and the recycling amount of middles depending on the state of flotation froths. We will analysis how to judge the state of froths in flotation cells in the following paragraphs.
When the froths show up, we can observe some phenomenas such as: empty and full, size, color, glossiness, shape, thickness, hardness, liquidity, voice and so on. These phenomenas depend on the type, amount, size, color of the ore on the froths and the type and number of frothing agents.
The froths are full when there are much and heavy minerals on them, while they are empty when there are little and slight minerals on them. The froths are stable when the grade of raw ore is high and the agent amount is suitable. The froths are sick and empty when there is too much inhibitor and little collector. It is usually full froths in rough separation and concentrating, and empty froths in scavenging. Besides, the froths can also be too full or empty because of unsuitable amount of inhibitor and collector.
The size of froths varies from the characteristics of ore, agents and the size of flotation area. Different ores and different flotation flow create different size of froths. The size of froths is concerned about mineralization of ores. Middlings have a good mineralization. If over-mineralized, the froths can't merge each other, creating abnormal small froths. If weak-mineralized and the froths merge too much, big froths would be created, which is easily bursting when the surface waves. Small froths usually show in scavenging. Too much frothing agents can also make froths small.
The color of froths depens on the color of ores on the froths. It is usually dark when roughing and concentrating, which means a good quality of concentration. It is usually like white water film when scavenging.
The froths show strong metal glossiness during the roughing flotation of sulfide minerals and good mineralization of concentrating. If the froths show half-metal glossiness, it means a large loss of metal minerals. If there is much oxidized mineral in pulp, the froths will show half-metal or soil glossiness. If the froths in scavenging is weak mineralization, it will show glass glossiness like water.
When moderately hydrophobic granular mineralized froth is shaped on the surface, the pulp has enough water and the shape of froths are relatively clear. The froths can stay long time on the surface of pulp and the minerals have large hydrophobic.
The thickness of froths directly influences the recovery rate and the concentrate grade. It is mainly concerned with the number of frothing agents and the degree of froth mineralization. The froth is thick when there is a large raw ore grade, a good mineralization or many froth agents. If the granule of ore is too large, thick froths can't be formed. The slurry level would be low, the froth layer would be thick and the concentrate grade would be high. If there is a high slurry level, frothed minerals can be scraped in time. The froth layer would be thin and the recovery rate would be higher.
If the froths have high brittlement, they would be unstable and easy to burst, sometimes even hard to be scrapped. On the contrary, too many viscous froths stable froths will destroy the normal flotation process and lead to concentrate transport difficulties, and will also affect the concentrate grade or recovery rate. Excessive flotation agents, slime or large amounts of soluble salt can all make the froth too stable.
When scraping the froths, rustle can be heard. It means there are large amount of large proportion and large granule minerals on froths. It is normal.
These are the eight aspects which can be reference as how to judge the flotation effect through froths in flotation cells. Although the froths varied from the size of flotation area, there still are specific phenomenas in specific area. We should pay close attention to the state of froths, so we can reach better recovery rate.
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