Effect of air distribution profile on selectivity at zinc cleaner circuit

Airflow rate to a cell is one of the main operating variables in flotation. In many plants, if measurements are available at all, they are typically made on a line common to several cells with valves to distribute as determined by the operator. In this study, air distribution throughout zinc cleaner circuit of CBI was adjusted to three different profiles. These are “as found” which was the original profile adjusted by operators, “decreasing” and “increasing” profiles which were adjusted for test. It was seen that air distribution profile significantly affected flotation selectivity. Selectivity between both sphalerite–pyrite and sphalerite–chalcopyrite increased with “increasing” profile. The effect of air distribution profile on flotation selectivity was also studied at mini pilot plant (MPP). Zinc rougher concentrate was taken as feed of MPP. Air distribution profile was adjusted and controlled by airflow meters of each cell. Three different air profiles; “balanced”, “decreasing” and “increasing”, were tested. The results of MPP tests also confirmed that “increasing” air distribution profile improved selectivity at zinc cleaner circuit.