Effect of flotation pulp turbulence intensity on bubble-particle mineralization dynamics at a single bubble scale

Bubble particle interaction is the basic core active element in flotation process, and the turbulence as the basic feature of flotation pulp exerts a significant bearing on bubble-particle mineralization efficiency and flotation recovery. Test is made with the 0.25~0.125 mm anthracite as the object to explore the low governing the variation of the bubble-particle attachment angle (BPAA) with time at different turbulence intensities with the particle-bubble adhesion kinetics testing system, and analyze the bubble-particle mineralization process at a single bubble scale using classic flotation dynamic models. Test result shows that with the increase of turbulence intensity, the maximum BPAA value and the particle-bubble collision rate all tend to first go up and them drop down. This is attributed to the fact that with the turbulence at a lower intensity level, the increase of turbulence intensity in this case can help promote suspension of particles and hence increase particle-bubble collision probability while at an excessively high turbulence intensity, the probability of having the particles detached from bubble surface is increased. It is revealed through fitting analysis using Matlab that the particle-bubble mineralization dynamics at the single bubble scale can find a best fit with classic primary kinetic model. So, a moderate increase of turbulence intensity can help strengthen attachment of particles onto bubble surface while an intensive pulp shearing action may produce an adverse effect on the stability of the mineralized gas flocs and hence promote the detachment of clay minerals from bubble surface.