Project details

Approach: Analytics and in-stream information with particle size for flotation plant optimisation.

This HDR project is measuring particle sizes in mineral processing streams using novel fluid flow systems and in-line detection of slurry characteristics using light scattering/obscuration and ultrasonic techniques. Mineral processing depends significantly on particle size in almost all methods of separation and concentration. Flotation recovery depends on both the size of the particles (optimally between 10 and 50 microns) and the liberation of the particles (i.e., each particle is solely one mineral). Effective treatment of tailings depends on the size of the waste particles, with smaller particles being less likely to undergo rapid settling. And lastly, the particle size, and thus the available surface area, critically influences the leaching rate in material for hydrometallurgical extraction.

In spite of their importance, there are few straightforward methods that provide real-time measurement of particle size and particle size distributions directly in mineral processing streams. This project is developing a slurry handling/fluid flow device that samples mineral suspensions and uses a combination of light scattering/obscuration (and possibly, ultrasonics) to determine the range of particle sizes. This sensor is being integrated with the Pulp Chemistry Monitor, developed and commercialised by Magotteaux, to give combined size/pulp chemistry information, which will be used as a means of advanced process control to optimise flotation.

Image courtesy of Chris Greet.

Researcher

Amalie Møller

Location

University of South Australia

Key Contacts

Principal Supervisor:
Professor Marta Krasowska

Email:
marta.krasowska
@unisa.edu.au

Ph: +61 08 8302 5538

Co-supervisors:
Professor David Beattie
Professor William Skinner
Associate Professor Bronwyn Hajek
Dr Moein Kashani
Chris Greet, Magotteaux

Supervisor Profile

Publications

Møller, A., Beheshti, A., Skinner, W., Franks, G., Beattie, D., Krasowska, M., 2023. Hydrophobic surfaces in mineral flotation: The effect of (physical and chemical) heterogeneity on wettability and wetting film stability, pp 494 – 502. In Encyclopedia of Solid-Liquid Interfaces, Edited by K. Wandelt and G. Bussetti. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85669-0.00126-4

Pawliszak, P., Beheshti, A., Møller, A., Blencowe, A., Beattie, D.A., Krasowska, M. 2024. Increasing surface hydrophilicity with biopolymers: a combined single bubble collision, QCM-D and AFM study, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 667, 393-402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2024.04.073.

References

Yang, X.M., Drury, C.F., Reynolds, W.D. and MacTavish, D.C. (2009) Use of sonication to determine the size distributions of soil particles and organic matter. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 89(4): 413-419.
Shukla, A., Prakash, A. and Rohani, S. (2010) Particle Size Monitoring in Dense Suspension Using Ultrasound with an Improved Model Accounting for Low-Angle Scattering. AIChE Journal, 2010, 56(11): 2825-2837.

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