Mineral Recovery Modeling In Separation Processes – Use of Particle Data

Image analysis of process samples gives precise data on particles and their composition. The results presented as liberation tables and maximum grade-recovery curves are informative and good for comparing different feed materials, but basing on them it is impossible to predict the results of the mineral separation process (flotation, magnetic separation, gravity separation) in details. The exact and extensive particle data has remained large unused, because there has not been a model nor a modeling program to include particle information in mineral separation processes. This study introduces a method, which incorporates the particle data in the kinetic model of flotation. Similar approach can be used in modeling other separation processes, too.