Study On The Hydrodynamics Characteristics And Application Of Horizontal Baffled Flotation Column

Flotation column had been used to beneficiate metal minerals, coal, non-metallic metal and chemical mineral more than ever. The Level Packed Flotation Column is new separation equipment, In order to identify the relationship between hydrodynamics characteristics and flotation performance of Level Packed Flotation Column, it's necessary to study the theory of Level Packed Flotation Column. In this paper, we studied the relationship between gas holdup and relevant factors, examined the effects of packing medium on gas velocity distribution of flotation column. A mathematical model was derived and simulated based on the parameters of test system. The test system was used to separate bauxite also. The results show that:(1) Superficial gas velocity, frother and the number of packed medium had a great effect on gas holdup, which were the major consideration of flotation column design and operation. The pulp density and superficial liquid velocity had a smaller effect on gas holdup, and the effect on gas holdup could be ignored. Both the frother and packed medium could reduce the bubble size, which showed difference in mechanisms. The largest surface area flux existed in flotation column, which could be obtained by controlling frother, packing medium number and superficial gas velocity. The optimal level packed medium number in flotation column could be obtained through test also.(2) The increase of superficial gas velocity would promote the bubble turbulence intensity in flotation column, but the level packing medium could reduce the bubble turbulence intensity in flotation column, which made the gas velocity distribution more uniform.(3) The simulation and calculations of flotation column collection zone hydrodynamics showed that gas velocity and liquid velocity were the main operating parameters in production process, gas velocity was most important. Reducing the axial liquid back mixing could promote the recovery effectively. The distribution of gas and liquid velocity could affect flotation recovery, while the uniformity of gas velocity distribution had a great effect on flotation recovery, which is far greater than the liquid velocity distribution.(4) Using a lab.Φ100×2000mm level packed medium floatation column separated bauxite and phosphate rock, and achieved a concentrate,A/S more than 10.57, recovery of 85.63%.