Applications of OPCF Technology in Several Flotation Concentrators

6 Applications of OPCF Technology in Several Flotation Concentrators 

It can be seen from Table 10.14 that in common flow sheet a depressants is used and pH is neutral, the flotation separation of galena, sphalerite and pyrite is not so good. The OPCF can much improve the results of selective flotation of PbS-ZnS. Compared with common flowsheet, the grade of concentration increases respectively from 52.1% to 60.0% for Pb, from 52.6% to 53.0% for Zn and from 37.4% to 46.5% for S and the recovery of concentration increases respectively from 85.9% to 88.9% for Pb, 87.0% to 91.9% for Zn and 68.8% to 71.9% for S. 

Flowsheet Products Grade (%) Recovery (%) Conditions for PbS flotation 

The comparison of flotation results using OPCF and traditional flowsheet is shown in Table 10.15. It can be seen that either PbS, ZnS flotation recovery or the grade of the concentration, is improved obviously in OPCF. The grade and recovery of lead concentration, respectively, increase from 73.77% to 79.19% and 

In addition, the flotation rate of galena in the OPCF process is much faster than that in the traditional through the measurement of galena recovery of each cell as shown in Fig. 10.19. The Pb recovery is more than 90% only through 4 flotation cells operation and Zn recovery reaches to 87% only through 12 flotation cells operation in OPCF. But for the traditional process, 8 flotation cells are needed to reach 90% Pb recovery and 20 flotation cells are needed to reach 87% Zn recovery. 

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