DSP

1. DSP FLOATATION
Dr Sumitha J

2. Flotation, in the context of downstream processing (DSP), refers to a
separation technique used to concentrate and purify desired minerals
from unwanted gangue minerals in an ore mixture. It works by
selectively attaching air bubbles to the surfaces of the desired
minerals, causing them to float to the top of a tank or vessel, while the
heavier gangue minerals remain suspended in the liquid below.

3. 1. Conditioning:
The ore is first crushed and ground into smaller particles to
increase surface area.
Specific chemicals, called flotation reagents, are added to the
slurry. These reagents selectively bind to the desired mineral
surfaces, promoting air bubble attachment.

4. 2. Flotation cell:
The conditioned slurry is fed into a flotation cell, a large tank equipped
with an aeration system.
Air is introduced into the cell through diffusers or impellers, creating a
multitude of tiny air bubbles.

5. Attachment and separation:
The flotation reagents on the target mineral surfaces attract and
adhere to the rising air bubbles.
The air bubbles, now attached to the desired minerals, rise to the top
of the cell, forming a froth layer.
The gangue minerals, without the flotation reagent, remain suspended
in the pulp (the liquid mixture in the cell).

6. 4. Froth collection and concentrate:
The froth containing the desired minerals is skimmed off the top of
the cell. This froth is called the concentrate and contains the
valuable minerals enriched and separated from the gangue.
The remaining pulp, depleted of the desired minerals, can be
further processed or discarded.

7. Advantages of flotation in DSP
High selectivity: Can effectively separate specific minerals from
complex mixtures.
Scalability: Adaptable to large-scale industrial operations.
Efficiency: Achieves high recovery rates of desired minerals.
Relatively clean: Lower environmental impact compared to some
other separation techniques.

8. Disadvantages of flotation:
Complexity: Requires careful optimization of process parameters for optimal
results.
Cost: Flotation reagents and energy consumption can contribute to operational
costs.
Froth handling: Managing and processing the froth can be challenging, especially
for large volumes.