The relationship between operating parameters, cell hydrodynamics, flotation response and scale-up of flotation rates has been explored using three geometrically similar Rushton turbine flotation cells with volumes of 2.25, 10 and 50dm³. Mean energy dissipation values measured using Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) and a torque turntable method were in good agreement. As the cell volume was increased, the mean energy dissipation was proportional to N³D, rather than N³D² as may be expected based on dimensional analysis. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed. Aeration resulted in a slight increase in mean energy dissipation. Bubble diameters were measured using a University of Cape Town bubble size analyser to determine the frother concentration at which a constant bubble diameter was achieved for all operating conditions and cell volumes. The critical frother concentration required to achieve this was 20 ppm MIBC.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/269004 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Newell, Raymond |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | EN-AUS |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright Ray Newell 2006 |
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