Flotation experiment design, analysis and optimization using the software Design-Expert

In order to determine in a highly efficient and accurate manner the effect on flotation experiment produced by feed concentration, collector dosage, proportioning of reagents and aeration rate, as well as the interaction of these factors, the design and optimization of the flotation experiment scheme is made using Design-Expert 8.06 with the flotation perfection index (FPI) as the evaluation criterion. Following that, the model defining the quantitative relationship between FPI and each of the above-cited factors, as well as the coutour and 3-dimensional relationship diagrams are developed and derived. The result of investigation shows that: the intensity of the influence of each factor on FPI is in a descending order as follows: collector dosage > feed concentration > proportioning of reagents > aeration rate; the various factors are seen to interact with each other and can be arranged in a descending order according to their intensity of influence on FPI—feed concentration and proportioning of reagents > feed concentration and collector dosage > proportioning of reagents and collector dosage > feed concentration and aeration rate > proportioning of reagents and aeration rate > collector dosage and aeration rate; at a feed concentration of 107.27 g-L, a proportioning of reagents of 10.63, a collector dosage of 2.11 kg-t and an aeration rate of 0.6 m³-h, an optimized FPI of 57.39% is obtained. The result obtained is close to that verified through experiment, well demonstrating the reliability of the Design-Expert software.