Local and global assessment of flotation kinetics

Abstract

Most flotation data can be approximated with the first order kinetic equation. However, this equation frequently provides two, not one, parameters, that is the first order flotation rate constant k and maximum flotation recovery Rmax. Currently, the most often way of evaluation of a set of flotation data is by using efficiency eto = k·Rmax, being the slope of flotation kinetic curve at zero flotation time (t=0). This parameter has a local character and is useful only in very limited cases. It was proposed in this work to use a global flotation kinetic efficiency (e) which can characterize the whole set of kinetic curves. For the considered in this work flotation data, a simple relation Rmax = e·k was used. For other sets of flotation data, the global flotation kinetics efficiency very likely will be represented by another equation with the one-adjustable parameter.