The Impact of Froth Launders Design in an Industrial Flotation Bank Using Novel Metallurgical and Hydrodynamic Models

In flotation cells, especially in large units, froth management is a crucial variable that should be considered during the design phase or optimized to improve performance of existing circuits. This paper presents simulation evaluation effect launder on metallurgical an industrial circuit consisting five TankCell® e630 (630 m3) cells Cu rougher duty. analysis was carried out using new simulator includes novel and hydrodynamic models, developed from wide database collected many concentrators. tool currently incorporated into HSC Chemistry® software allows evaluating mineral recovery, water entrainment, other variables. The evaluated under different scenarios, considering actual for calibration as reference (baseline). Firstly, two designs were full circuit: standard technology. It found technology enabled improvement recovery along circuit, mainly coarse particles, due recovery. Next, partial upgrade analysed. Thus, first last bank. results showed upgrading launders delivered increase final with respect baseline, impact concentrate grade. However, these changes are less than those when scenario. A either bank similar recoveries, but latter slightly higher grade (about 1% higher) achieved. Finally, made it possible estimate its variables not commonly obtained plant surveys, including superficial gas rates at surface level, per particle size, collection size liberation, gangue bubble loading