OPTIMIZATION OF FINE ILMENITE FLOTATION PERFORMED IN A CYCLONIC-STATIC MICRO-BUBBLE FLOTATION COLUMN

A cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column was applied to upgrade fine ilmenite. The optimum parameters of flotation in the column were determined basing on the grade-recovery upgrading curve. A continuous pilot plant test was conducted using the optimum parameters during rougher-cleaner process. When compared with the optimized parameters of the industrial flotation machines, the cyclonic- static micro-bubble flotation column provides higher concentrate grade and recovery: 48.11% with a growth of 1.08 percentage points and 82.36% with an increment of 13.64 percentage points, respectively. Moreover, the flowsheet is simplified to two steps (rougher-cleaner) in the cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column from six steps (one rougher-two scavengers-three cleaners) in the flotation machines. Therefore, the cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column is an effective tool for fine ilmenite beneficiation.