Investigations on the alternatives to obtain finer flotation feed at Kure grinding circuit by simulation

摘要

Different altenratives to obtain finer flotation feed from the grinding circuit of Kure flotation plant were evaluated by simulaiton. Mathematical models for the rod and ball mills and the hydrocyclones were developed using plant data. After sampling survey, mass balancing studies were performed using the raw data obtained. Following calculation of model parameters for the mills and hydrocyclones, the effects of ball size, solid content of cyclone feed and cyclone geometry on flo9tation feed fineness were investigated. The results showed that using smaller diameter cyclones together with smaller balls would provide flotation feed having 68percent - 38 mu m which is substantially finer than the current flotation feed (56percent - 38 mu m).