A kinetic model for the prediction of water reporting to the froth products in batch flotation

Abstract

Batch flotation experiments were carried out using coal and graphite samples by varying reagent dosages. The relationship between quantity of water reporting to the froth product with flotation time has been evaluated and is found to follow a first-order rate equation of the form:

W_w = W_{w ∞}{1 − e^{−k_w(t + φ)}}

The ultimate quantity of water W_{w ∞} and rate constant k_w values were calculated from the experimental data and related with the operating variables using second-order polynomial equations. Influence of the operating variables on W_{w ∞} and k_w values were quantified and it was found that frother dosage increases W_{w ∞} and decreases k_w values, indicating frother dosage enhances the froth quantity while decreasing its mobility. The correlation is drawn between mass of ash and mass of water reporting to the froth product and also the influence of the operating variable is analysed on the ratio, i.e. mass of ash to mass of water.