• Resources Recycling
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.38-47
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• 2024

Molybdenite is the primary molybdenum resource and is extracted via flotation due to its unique hydrophobic surface. Meanwhile, the grade and crystal size of mined molybdenite are decreasing. As a result, the size of the molybdenum ore required for liberation is decreasing, and the flotation process's feed size input is also decreasing. Therefore, in order to secure molybdenum, it is necessary to perform research on the flotation for the fine molybdenite. In this study, we developed a method to enhance the flotation efficiency of fine molybdenite particles in the range of 5-30 ㎛. The methodology involved implementing bubble size reduction and particle aggregation. Through simulations of bubble-particle collision probability and flotation experiments, we were able to find the ranges of bubble size and particle aggregate size that make fine particles float more effectively. This range provided the conditions for effective flotation of fine molybdenite particles. Therefore, we will implement the flotation conditions established in this study for fine molybdenum ore to improve the flotation process in molybdenum mineral processing plants in the future.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mechanical factors such as agitation speed and air rate in fly ash flotation. Specifically, we used thermal power plant fly ash with unburned carbon content of 3.4 to 3.7%. The effect of pH, agitation speed, collector dosage, and frother dosage - the key factors of froth flotation - showed unburned carbon recovery and unburned carbon content of 63% and 34%, respectively, when the dosage of safflower oil used as collector was 800 g/ton, pH was 7, agitation speed was 1,200 rpm, and frother dosage was 400 g/ton. The SEM/EDS analysis of fly ash in that case indicated that the spherical fly ash particles lowered the unburned carbon content as they floated with the air bubbles without being dissolved in the unburned carbon or settled in the ore solution. The other experiment of changing the mechanical factors such as agitation speed and air rate resulted in unburned carbon recovery and unburned carbon content of 74% and 67%, respectively, at air rate of 8 L/min and agitation speed of 900 rpm. The recovery and unburned carbon content increased as the low agitation speed and additional air injection decreased the strength of the eddy current in the ore solution and consequently prevented the floating of fine fly ash particles with unburned carbon. In addition, the recovery rate and unburned carbon increased further to 80% and 70%, respectively, showing the best performance when the agitation speed and air rate were lowered to 800 rpm and 6 L/min, respectively.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.73-80
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• 2022

This study investigated the mineralogical characteristics and basic flotation properties of domestic molybdenum ores. The source mineral of molybdenum was identified as molybdenite, and the main gangue minerals in the raw ore were silicate minerals. Copper, lead, and zinc were also found in trace amounts. Based on the results of basic flotation properties, molybdenite's zeta potential showed negative charges in all pH ranges. The contact angle of molybdenite increased with pH, reaching a maximum of 74° at pH 9. In optimal conditions, the grade and recovery of the concentrate by unit flotation were MoS2 82.4% and 92.04%, respectively. Further investigation of the impurities in the concentrate revealed a sulfide mineral with surface characteristics similar to molybdenite and silicate minerals combined with molybdenite, which may degrade the quality of the concentrate. To improve the concentrate quality, we intend to control silicate minerals through regrinding and liberation and use column flotation to improve fine particle separation efficiency.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.64-72
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to confirm the possibility of obtaining high grade coal from 57.39% of fixed carbon fine coal. Also, the mineralogical, physical/chemical and liberation characteristics are to be identified to decrease in ash amount, during the pre-processing of clean coal technology. In this study, batch flotation and CPT column flotation proper for the processing of fine particles were used with the variation in kinds and quantity of frother, collector and depressant. Also air flow rate and feeding rates were examined. As a result of batch flotation using 20% of pulp density DMU 101 collector(100 mL/ton), AF65 frother(300 mL/ton), sodium metaphosphate depressant (1 kg/ton), 67.57% of ash rejection and 70.90% of combustible recovery were obtained. The result of CPT column flotation was 85.59% of ash rejection and 88.97% of combustible recovery under the conditions of 5% of pulp density, DMU-101 collector (100 mL/ton), AF65 frother(10 L/ton), SMP depressant(1 kg/ton), wash water(100 mL/min.) and air flow rate(1,200 mL/min.).