Dynamic froth stability: Particle size, airflow rate and conditioning time effects

The rate of flotation and froth stability affect froth flotation performance and selectivity and strongly depend on various parameters such as the reagent adsorption, particle and bubble size, air flow rate, conditioning time, surface characteristics and elemental composition. Dynamic froth stability measurements are based on the height of froth in a froth column. In this research, the dynamic froth stability tests were performed in a modified Denver flotation cell measuring the height of the froth. The effects of particle size, conditioning time and airflow rates on the dynamic froth stability were determined in terms of maximum froth height. It was observed that there was a very strong relationship between froth stability and particle size. The dynamic froth stability also depends on conditioning time. Increase in conditioning time caused to decrease in the froth stability, solid content of concentrate and water recovery. The performance data show that the values directly depend on the amount of collector adsorbed on the solid particles. When conditioning period increased from 2 min to 6 min, sulphur content in concentrate increased from 2.46% to 3.24%, respectively. It was concluded that the degree of hydrophobicity plays important roles on both dynamic froth stability and performance values. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.