ImhoflotTM Flotation Cell Performance in Mini-Pilot and Industrial Scales on the Acacia Copper Ore

Abstract

The present work investigates a comparative study between mechanical and ImhoflotTM cells on a mini-pilot scale and the applicability of one self-aspirated H-16 cell (hybrid ImhoflotTM cell) on an industrial scale on-site. The VM-04 cell (vertical feed to the separator vessel with 400 mm diameter) was fabricated, developed, and examined. The copper flotation experiments were conducted under similar volumetric conditions for both the ImhoflotTM and mechanical flotation cells keeping the rest of the parameters constant. Further, one H-16 cell was positioned at four different stages in the Gökirmak copper flotation circuit of the Acacia (Türkiye) copper beneficiation plant, i.e., at (i) pre-rougher flotation, (ii) rougher concentrate, (iii) cleaner-scavenger tailing, and (iv) first cleaning concentrate aiming at enhancing the flotation circuit capacity through flash flotation in the rougher stage, reducing copper grade in the final tailing, and increasing cleaning throughput, respectively. Comparative copper flotation tests showed that ultimate recoveries using the ImhoflotTM and mechanically agitated conventional cells were 94% and 74%, respectively. The industrial scale test results indicated that locating one pneumatic H-16 cell with the duty of pre-floating (also known as flash flotation) led to the enrichment ratio and recovery of 4.84 and 89%, respectively. Positioning the H-16 cell at the cleaner-scavenger tailings could diminish the copper tailings grade from 0.43% to 0.31%. Further, a relatively greater enrichment ratio and copper recovery were obtained using only one ImhoflotTM cell (1.76 and 64%) in comparison with employing four existing mechanical cells (50 m3, each cell) in series (1.45 and 60%) at the first cleaner stage.