The flotation machine is used for the separation of quartz sand from silicate
impurities such as feldspar and mica. The two most troublesome problems for
customers are low recovery rate and high reagent consumption. Many companies
only focus on the drugs themselves, but overlook two more fundamental
factors.
The fluctuation of pH value in the slurry is an invisible driving force
behind the increase in reagent consumption. Amine collectors are most effective
under acidic or neutral conditions. When the pH value deviates from the optimal
range, the dosage of the agent needs to be doubled to achieve the same effect.
Many companies have not installed online pH detectors in their mixing tanks and
rely on manual occasional measurements, resulting in pH fluctuations often
exceeding ± 0.5. It is recommended to install an online pH meter and link it
with a dosing system to stabilize the pH value within the range of 2.5-3.5
(acidic method) or 6.5-7.5 (neutral method).
Excessive or insufficient inflation can affect the recovery rate. When the
inflation volume is insufficient, the number of bubbles is not enough, and
impurities do not float up completely; If the inflation volume is too large, the
bubbles will merge seriously and the foam layer will be unstable. The rotameter
shall be installed on the air inlet pipe to control the inflation volume at
0.8-1.2m ³/m ² · min, and fine adjustment shall be made according to the
thickness (normal 15-20cm) and color of the foam layer. In addition, when the
slurry concentration exceeds 40%, it becomes too viscous and the dispersion of
chemicals is poor, and should be controlled between 30% and 40%. The iron
filings generated after the wear of the impeller stator can also cause secondary
pollution, and it is necessary to regularly inspect and replace the
wear-resistant rubber covering parts.
The stability of flotation indicators ultimately depends on three factors:
stable pH, uniform aeration, and appropriate concentration. For issues related
to equipment operation optimization, please contact the technical team of
Shandong Heavy Industry for communication and exchange: Manager Zhang
13583776655 (same as WeChat).