The correct way and steps to add mineral processing chemicals

The purpose of rational addition of chemicals is to ensure the maximum effectiveness of the chemicals in the slurry and to maintain the optimal concentration. Therefore, the dosing location and dosing method can be reasonably selected based on the characteristics of the ore, the nature of the agent and the process requirements.
1. Dosing location
The choice of dosing location is related to the use and solubility of the agent. Usually, the medium adjuster is added to the grinding machine, so as to eliminate the harmful effects of the “inevitable” ions that act as activation or inhibitors on flotation. Inhibitors It should be added before the collector and is usually added to the grinding machine. The activator is often added to the mixing tank and mixed with the slurry in the tank for a certain period of time. The collector and foaming agent are added to the mixing tank and tank or flotation machine. In order to promote the dissolution and dispersion of insoluble collectors (such as cresol black powder, white powder, coal, oil, etc.) The action time of minerals is also often added to the grinding machine.
The common dosing sequence is:
(1) When flotating raw ore, adjuster-inhibitor-collector-frothing agent;
(2) When flotating suppressed minerals, activator-collector-frothing agent.
In addition, the choice of dosing location should also consider the nature of the ore and other specific conditions. For example, in some copper sulfide-iron ore flotation plants, xanthate is added to the grinding machine, which improves the copper separation index. In addition, a single-cell flotation machine is installed in the grinding cycle to recover the dissociated coarse ore particles. In order to increase the action time of the collector, it is also necessary to add the agent to the grinding machine.

2. Dosing method
Flotation reagents can be added in one time or in batches.
One-time addition refers to adding a certain agent to the slurry at one time before flotation. In this way, the concentration of the agent at a certain operating point is higher, the strength factor is large, and the addition is convenient. Generally, for those that are easily soluble in water, they will not be blown away by the foam machine. For agents (such as soda, lime, etc.) that cannot easily react and become ineffective in the slurry, one-time dosing is often used.
Batch dosing refers to adding a certain chemical in several batches during the flotation process. Generally, 60% to 70% of the total amount is added before flotation, and the remaining 30% to 40% is added to appropriate locations in several batches. This way Dosing chemicals in batches can maintain the chemical concentration along the flotation operation line and help improve the quality of the concentrate.
For the following situations, batch addition should be used:
(1) Agents that are difficult to dissolve in water and are easily taken away by foam (such as oleic acid, fatty amine collectors).
(2) Agents that are easy to react or decompose in the slurry. Such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, etc., if they are added only at one point, the reaction will fail quickly.
(3) Medications whose dosage requires strict control. For example, if the local concentration of sodium sulfide is too high, the selective effect will be lost.