Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model

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dc.contributor.authorGeldenhuys, Stefan
dc.contributor.authorPinto, Thiago Souza
dc.contributor.authorFilho, Laurindo Leal
dc.contributor.authorDeglon, David
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-12T13:20:27Z
dc.date.available2021-10-12T13:20:27Z
dc.date.issued2021-05-31
dc.date.updated2021-07-08T14:23:28Z
dc.description.abstractThe Brucutu iron ore mine (Minas Gerais, Brazil) is Vale‘s largest iron producing operation achieving around 21 million tons per annum. Evaluation of flotation performance is of high importance as even small gains can lead to large monetary benefits. Cell-by-cell samples of the froth products, selected feed and pulp-products were analyzed for flow rate, particle size distribution and chemical composition. In addition, certain samples were analyzed on an assay-by-size basis and hydrodynamic measurements of certain flotation cells were also performed. This detailed experimental dataset was then used to calibrate a floatability component model of the process. Longer mainline residence time resulted in significant Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> losses while yielding little benefit in terms of SiO<sub>2</sub> product grade. Scavenger 2 has twice the residence time of scavenger 1 while having to treat only 10% of the SiO<sub>2</sub>, resulting in high Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> recoveries to the froth and poor separation. In addition, it is shown that the Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> exhibits true flotation behavior resulting in increased Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> losses. Simulations using the floatability component model identified avenues of process improvement to address the identified behavior. The insight provided by the simulations into the dynamics of the flotation process is invaluable for process engineers.en_US
dc.identifierdoi: 10.3390/min11060589
dc.identifier.apacitationGeldenhuys, S., Pinto, T. S., Filho, L. L., & Deglon, D. (2021). Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model. <i>Minerals</i>, 11(6), 589. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationGeldenhuys, Stefan, Thiago Souza Pinto, Laurindo Leal Filho, and David Deglon "Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model." <i>Minerals</i> 11, 6. (2021): 589. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationGeldenhuys, S., Pinto, T.S., Filho, L.L. & Deglon, D. 2021. Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model. <i>Minerals.</i> 11(6):589. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Geldenhuys, Stefan AU - Pinto, Thiago Souza AU - Filho, Laurindo Leal AU - Deglon, David AB - The Brucutu iron ore mine (Minas Gerais, Brazil) is Vale‘s largest iron producing operation achieving around 21 million tons per annum. Evaluation of flotation performance is of high importance as even small gains can lead to large monetary benefits. Cell-by-cell samples of the froth products, selected feed and pulp-products were analyzed for flow rate, particle size distribution and chemical composition. In addition, certain samples were analyzed on an assay-by-size basis and hydrodynamic measurements of certain flotation cells were also performed. This detailed experimental dataset was then used to calibrate a floatability component model of the process. Longer mainline residence time resulted in significant Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> losses while yielding little benefit in terms of SiO<sub>2</sub> product grade. Scavenger 2 has twice the residence time of scavenger 1 while having to treat only 10% of the SiO<sub>2</sub>, resulting in high Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> recoveries to the froth and poor separation. In addition, it is shown that the Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> exhibits true flotation behavior resulting in increased Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> losses. Simulations using the floatability component model identified avenues of process improvement to address the identified behavior. The insight provided by the simulations into the dynamics of the flotation process is invaluable for process engineers. DA - 2021-05-31 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 6 J1 - Minerals LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2021 T1 - Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model TI - Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationGeldenhuys S, Pinto TS, Filho LL, Deglon D. Process Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Model. Minerals. 2021;11(6):589. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35207.en_ZA
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Chemical Engineering
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environmenten_US
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en_US
dc.sourceMineralsen_US
dc.source.journalissue6en_US
dc.source.journalvolume11en_US
dc.source.pagination589en_US
dc.source.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals
dc.titleProcess Evaluation of an Iron Ore Operation Using the Floatability Component Modelen_US
dc.typeJournal Articleen_US
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