Comparative evaluation between mechanical and pneumatic cells for quartz flotation in the iron ore industry

Abstract Flotation plays a relevant role in the concentration of iron ores. Conventional flotation technology employing mechanical machines and columns and also circuits combining both types of cells have been utilized in the iron ore industry. The top size of particles in the flotation circuit feed is 150 µm and the slimes below 10 µm are removed as overflow in hydrocyclone classification. The conventional flotation technology faces difficulties in achieving tailings with iron grades lower than 12% and concentrates with SiO2 grades lower than 1%, and requires long residence times, resulting...