Modelling the fluidised bed in HydroFloatTM' for improved process control

This study investigates the expansion of the fluidised bed in HydroFloatTM' as the teeter water velocity is varied. A practical model is presented for predicting the fluidised bed porosity and apparent density at set cell operating conditions (teeter water flow rate, air flow rate, bed height, pressure setting) and feed ore characteristics (specific gravity and particle size). Inversely, the model can be used to calculate the optimum HydroFloatTM' settings to obtain the desired fluidised-bed porosity, for any ore of interest. The model is based on the well-known approach by Richardson and Zaki, modified by introducing more suitable settling rate equation within the typical particle size (and Reynolds numbers) range encountered in HydrofloatTM', and also considering the effect of air input. The model has been validated using two different copper ores in a range of feed particle size distributions, showing good predictive capabilities. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents a practical model for predicting the fluidised bed porosity and apparent density of the HydroFloatTM as the teeter water velocity is varied. The model can be used to calculate the optimum settings to achieve the desired fluidised-bed porosity for different ores. The model is validated with good predictive capabilities on two different copper ores.