A gas dispersion study on the lead flotation circuit at Hindustan Zinc Limited-Rampura Agucha mine operation

Abstract

Australian Mineral Industries Research Association P9 project developed a methodology to conduct gas dispersion measurements (such as superficial gas velocity, gas hold-up and bubble size) in industrial flotation celts. These measurements are used to calculate the bubble surface area flux, which has a strong relationship with cell recovery. JKTech conducted gas dispersion measurements on the Stream II lead flotation circuit at Rampura Agucha Mine as part of an optimisation study. Superficial gas velocity profiles were used in simulations (using JKSimFloat software) to provide guidance for the potential circuit improvements. Simulation results showed that the galena grade could be improved by 1.7% white maintaining similar lead and silver recoveries in the final lead concentrate. The optimum superficial gas velocity profile from simulations was implemented in the Stream II lead flotation circuit and the results were compared with the previous plant data. It was shown that the lead circuit achieved a 2% grade improvement in the final lead concentrate.