Development of the experimental method for a new attachment timer apparatus as a diagnostic tool in mineral flotation studies
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Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
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Authors
Date
2017-10-03
Department
Major/Subject
EMEC
Mcode
CHEM3006
Degree programme
Erasmus Mundus Minerals and Environmental Programme
Language
en
Pages
106
Series
Abstract
This work describes the development and proof of concept testing of the prototype of the new Automated Contact Time Apparatus (ACTA), as a diagnostic tool in mineral flotation studies. By bringing bubbles into contact with a particle bed and determining the probability of particle attachment, ACTA allows for the characterisation of flotation systems. The main aims of this work were to further develop the first prototype of the instrument, to create the experimental procedure for performing particle-bubble attachment time studies with the device for different flotation related systems of interest, and to provide proof of concept of the device and the experimental method. As part of this thesis work, several changes have been made to the original ACTA hardware components, operating software code, and functionality, to achieve a suitable experimental performance. An experimental method was developed concerning the preparation of the samples and their treatment prior to measurements and after their completion. The setup was tested by performing measurements on model systems, consisting of both pure and mixed samples of quartz and chalcopyrite particles. The expected trend of increasing attachment probability with increasing contact time was observed in two experiments with chalcopyrite particles. This indicates that the applied experimental method and the improvements made to the device have been a step in the right direction. It is expected that the knowledge obtained with this work will serve as a basis upon which the improvement of ACTA can continue towards its eventual use as a practical and reliable measurement tool in mineral flotation-related studies.Description
Supervisor
Serna, RodrigoThesis advisor
Schreithofer, NóraKeywords
flotation, induction time, bubble-particle interaction, attachment probability, ACTA