FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a froth collection launder, and particularly to a froth collection launder balancing froth load to the froth collection laun- der.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A froth flotation is used for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry. Air is bubbled through the slurry creating bubble— particle aggregates which move up in the froth flotation cell by buoyancy forming a froth layer on the surface. The froth from the formed froth layer is collected from the surface into a froth collection launder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a froth collection launder that allows a better froth handling.. The object of the invention is achieved by a froth collection launder which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0004] The invention is based on the idea of a froth collection launder for a collection of froth from a mineral flotation comprising a first and a second sidewall which are joined to form a bottom comprising a tip extending along the bottom. The first sidewall comprises a first end and the second sidewall comprises a second end at their open ends. At least one of the first and the second ends comprises a froth overflow lip. When the froth collection launder is positioned at its operation position a centre line is located in the middle of the first and the sec- ond end in the cross direction of the froth collection launder. The tip is located between the centre line and one of the first and the second end in the cross direction of the froth collection launder and the tip forms the lowest point of the froth collection launder.

[0005] The froth collection launder of the invention is advantageous in balancing the froth load to the froth collection launders. Further, as the froth collection launder effects on the froth flow direction the transport distance of the froth to the launder lip can be optimized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of two froth collection launders;

Figures 2a-b show a side view of a froth collection launder comprising a tip;

Figure 3 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cell comprising two launders;

Figure 4 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cell comprising two launders;

Figure 5 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cells comprising three launders;

Figure 6 shows a top view of an arrangement in a froth flotation cell comprising two launders;

Figure 7 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cells comprising three launders;

Figure 8 shows a primary line in an arrangement in a froth flotation cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of two froth collection launders la-b. The froth collection launder la-b collects the froth from the surface and transports it out of the tank 2 of the froth flotation cell 3. The froth collection launder la-b is an inclined drainage module. The froth 4 layer level is gen- erally above the froth overflow lip 5 of the launder la-b permitting the froth 4 to flow over the overflow lip 5. The froth collection launder la-b comprises a subsurface discharge pipe 6 for carrying the collected froth 4, the overflow 18, from the launder la-b to outside of the tank 2, for instance.

[0008] Figure 1 presents two froth collection launders la-b, and the first launder la is arranged within the second launder lb at a distance s apart. The froth collection launders la-b comprise circular peripheries. In the figure 1 the shown froth collection launders la,lb comprise each one froth overflow lip 5.

[0009] Figures 2a-b show a side view of a froth collection launder 1 comprising a tip. The froth collection launder 1 for a collection of froth 4 from a mineral flotation comprises a first 7a and a second 7b sidewall which are joined to form a bottom 8. The bottom 8 comprises a tip 9 extending along the bottom 8 in the direction of the length L of the launder 1. The first sidewall 7a comprises a first end 10a and the second sidewall 7b comprises a second end 10b at their open ends. In a froth collection launder 1 at least one of the first 10a and the sec- ond sidewall ends 10b comprises a froth overflow lip 5. When the froth collection launder 1 is positioned at its operation position an imaginary centre line 11 is equidistant from the first 10a and second sidewall ends 10b of the launder 1, i.e. an imaginary centre line is located in the middle of the first 10a and the second sidewall end 10b in the cross direction x of the launder 1. The tip 9 is located be- tween the centre line 11 and one of the first 10a and the second sidewall end 10b in the cross direction x of the launder 1. The tip 9 forms the lowest point of the froth collection launder 1.

[0010] The tip 9 in the bottom 13 forms a froth flow 24 guide. The tip 9 is capable of dividing the froth flow 24 into a flow to the first sidewall 7a side of the launder 1 and into a flow to the second sidewall 7b side of the launder 1. The sidewalls 7a-b of the froth collection launder 1 guide the froth flows upwards.

[0011] The froth flow 24 comprises upwards flowing gas bubble- particle aggregates as shown in Figure 4 with slim arrows. The unsymmetrically located tip 9 in the froth collection launder 1 balances froth 4 load to the froth collection launders 1. This allows more flexible designing of the froth flotation arrangement. As the froth collection lauder 1 effects the froth 4 flow direction the transport distance of the froth 4 can be optimized.

[0012] Further, the unsymmetrically located tip 9 in the froth collection launder 1 provides a stable concentrate grade. Further, the drop back of par- tides is reduced as the separate froth 4 areas on the top of the tank 2 are in balance and the recovery is increased. Figure 1 presents two open areas 12a-b where the top surface of the froth layer 14 can be formed. One open area 12a is within the first froth collection launder 1 and another open area 12b is between the first 1 and second froth collection launders 1. The controlled distribution of the froth layer 14 among the open areas 12a-b prevents the slurry 13 located below the froth layer 14 to flow over the froth overflow lips 5 of the froth collection launders 1 which would decrease the concentrate grade.

[0013] The width w of the froth collection launder 1 is 0,3<w<l,5m, for instance. This width range of the froth collection launder 1 provides a better froth 4 handling as the lower surface of the froth collection launder 1 covers an optimal amount of area above the upwards flowing gas bubble-particle aggre- gates. A balanced gas bubble-particle aggregate flow causes a stable froth layer 14.

[0014] At the lower limit of the width range the lower surface of froth collection launder 1 is wide enough to cover a reasonable froth 4 area for the un- symmetrically positioned tip 9 to effect to the gas bubble-particle aggregate distribution. If the froth collection launder 1 is too narrow it does not cover enough froth 4 area for making a change to gas bubble-particle aggregate distribution.

[0015] At the upper limit of the width range the lower surface of froth collection launder 1 is narrow enough not to cover an excessive froth area so that the gas bubble-particle aggregates below the froth collection launder 1 are able to coalesce into larger bubbles. Large gas bubbles cause instability to the froth layer 14 possibly causing the slurry 13 to flow over the overflow lips 5 of the froth collection launders 1 which would decrease the concentrate grade.

[0016] Further, the height of the froth collection launder may com- prise 0,5<h<2m, preferably 0,5<h<l,5m.

[0017] This height range of the froth collection launder 1 locates the tip 9 optimally in respect of the upwards flowing gas bubble-particle aggregates.

[0018] The tip 9 at the lowest point of the froth collection launder 1 is preferably in the slurry 13 layer. Then the created froth 4 in the froth layer 14 is not able to flow below the tip 9 in the horizontal direction. Further, the sidewalls 7a-b of the froth collection launder 1 guide the created froth 4 upwards.

[0019] At the upper limit of the height range the tip 9 of the froth collection launder 1 is in the layer where the created gas bubble-particle aggregates have been relatively constantly distributed. If the froth collection launder 1 is too high the tip 9 may reach a zone in the slurry 13 layer where the gas bubbles are strongly distributing in a horizontal direction.

[0020] Additionally, the ratio between the width w and the height h of the froth collection launder 1 can comprise w/h 0,2-0,9, preferably 0,3-0,7.

[0021] The froth collection launder 1 may comprise pieces which are connectable to form the froth collection launder 1, i.e. the froth collection launder 1 can be modular.

[0022] Preferably the periphery shape of the froth collection launder 1 corresponds the tank 2 periphery shape The shape of the froth collection launder 1 may be circular or rectangular, for instance.

[0023] The froth collection launder 1 may comprise two froth overflow lips 5 one at the first 10a and one at the second end 10b. This construction reduces the transport distance of the froth 4.

[0024] Figures 2a-b show a side view of a bottom 8 of a froth collection launder 1 comprising a tip 9.

[0025] Figures 3-6 show an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3 for balancing froth 4 load to froth collection launders 1. The arrangement comprises a froth flotation cell 3 comprising a tank 2 comprising an impeller 15 within the tank 2 and a gas supply 16, and froth collection launders 1.

[0026] The tank 2 contains slurry 13 and the flotation cell 3 is capable of separating the slurry 13 into an underflow 17 and an overflow 18 as shown in Figure 4. The slurry 13 is a mixture of solid particles in a carrier liquid, e.g. mineral particles in water. Froth flotation is a physical separation method for separating particles based on differences in the ability of air bubbles to selectively adhere to specific mineral surfaces in a mineral/water slurry. If a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles are suspended in water, and air is bubbled through the suspension, then the hydrophobic particles will tend to attach to the air bubbles. The bubble— particle aggregates move up in the froth flotation cell 3 by buoyancy forming a froth layer 14 on the surface. The froth 4 comprises water, bubbles and particles.

[0027] Froth 4 is collected from the surface into a froth collection launder 1 located on the top of the cell tank 2. The froth flotation cell 3 can have one or more froth collection launders 1 which can be either internal or external or both, double, radial, depending on the capacity of the froth collection launder 1 necessary for the froth 4 removal. Large froth flotation tanks 2 comprising a volume 200 m ³ or more are often provided with at least two launders 1.

[0028] The tank 2 is mechanically agitated. The agitator 19 disperses air in the slurry 13, pumps slurry 13, keeps solids in the suspension and provides an environment in the cell tank 2 for interaction of bubbles and hydrophobic particles and their subsequent attachment and therefore separation of valuable mineral particles from the undesired gangue mineral particles. The agitator 19 com- prises an impeller 15 and a drive assembly for rotating the impeller 15. The drive assembly may comprise a motor 20 and a drive shaft 21.

[0029] A gas supply 16 to the froth flotation cell 3 comprises pressurized or self-aspirating gas supply 16. Examples of pressurized gas supply systems are pipes or tubes delivering gas to the bottom part of the tank. Gas may be sup- plied to the impeller 15 area also through conduits formed to the agitator 19 comprising the impeller 15. The impeller 15 provides a uniform gas distribution. [0030] In Figures 3-5 the impeller 15 is positioned in the slurry 13 layer at the bottom part of the tank 2 and it distributes gas bubbles. As shown in Figure 4 the tip 9 of the froth collection launder 1 is positioned in the slurry 13 layer where the created gas bubble-particle aggregates have been relatively con- stantly distributed. If the tip 9 of the froth collection launder 1 is positioned in a slurry 13 layer close to the impeller 15 the tip 9 may disturb the distribution of the gas bubbles as the gas bubbles distribute in the tank 2 while flowing upwards.

[0031] The tank 2 volume may comprise at least 200 m ³ . The tank 2 volume comprises the volume of the tank 2 surrounding the slurry 13 measured from the bottom of the tank 2 to height hi of a froth overflow lip 5 of the froth collection launder 1. The large froth flotation cell 3 size poses challenges in regards of the froth flotation cell 3 operation, cell mixing and hydrodynamics, gas dispersion and froth transportation behaviour. Therefore in large froth flotation tanks 2 a strong agitation is necessary. The size of the impeller 15 does not in- crease with increasing froth flotation tank 2 size which means the gas bubbles continue dispersing in the slurry 13 layer longer. The froth load balancing with the unsymmetrical tip 9 performs well in strongly agitated froth flotation tanks 2.

[0032] The ratio between a height h from a bottom 13 of the tank 2 to the froth overflow lip 5 of the froth collection launder 1 and the diameter D of the tank 2 at the height of the impeller h/D is less than 1,5. With this ratio the tank 2 is relatively shallow with a large top surface for froth 4. The shallow tank 2 having a large top surface reduces the distance which the gas bubble-particle aggregates need to flow upwards. This reduces the risk of drop back of the gas bubble- particle aggregates during their flow towards the froth flotation launders 1.

[0033] Further, the arrangement shown in Figure 3 comprises two froth collection launders 1, and the first launder 1 is arranged within the second launder 1 at a distance s apart. The froth collection launders 1 comprise circular peripheries and the bottoms 8 comprise tips 9.

[0034] In Figure 3 the tips 9 are capable of dividing the froth flow 24 to a surface within the first launder la, to a surface between the first la and the second launder lb and to a surface surrounding the second launder lb. The froth collection launders comprise three overflow lips 5 which collect the froth 4 and conduct the froth 4 out of the tank 2. With the large froth flotation cell 3 sizes the introduction of multiple internal froth collection launders la-b forms multiple froth sub-areas between the launders la-b. The controlled distribution of the froth layer 14 among the sub-areas causing balanced load to the froth overflow lips 5 of the froth collection launders la-b result in an improved froth recovery.

[0035] The available froth surface area A froth is the horizontal area at the top of the tank 2 which is open for the froth 4 to flow at the height hi of the froth overflow lip 5 of the froth collection launder 1. A flotation cell 3 with a large froth surface area could lead to a situation where insufficient material with solid particles is present to stabilize the froth 4. The available froth surface area A froth may then be reduced for creating a thicker froth layer 14. The reduction is made preferably at the periphery of the tank 2. The air bubbles distributed by an impeller 15 are not evenly distributed resulting in fewer air bubbles close to the tank 2 walls. Therefore the flow along the tank 2 walls can be guided without the risk of creating large air bubbles.

[0036] The reduction of the available froth surface area A froth can be implemented by means of an internal peripheral launder 15 or a tapered tank shape 22 at the tank 2 periphery, for instance. An internal peripheral froth collec- tion launder 1 extends around the inside top of the sidewall of the tank 2 and is shown in Figures 4-7. As an example, the surface area of the internal peripheral launder 1 or the tapered tank shape 22 at the tank periphery comprises at least 10% of the pulp area A _pu i _P . The pulp area A _pu i _P is calculated as an average from the cross sectional areas of the tank 2 at the height of the impeller 15.

[0037] In the arrangement of Figure 3 the width of the first la and second froth collection launder lb in the redial direction r is less than twice the width of the tapered tank shape 22 at the tank 2 periphery.

[0038] In an arrangement comprising two froth collection launders la-b where the first launder la is arranged within the second launder lb at a dis- tance s apart the bottoms 8 of the both froth collection launders 1 may comprise tips 9. The first sidewall 7a of the first launder la faces towards the second side- wall 7b of the second launder lb. The tip 9 of the first launder la is located between the centre line 11 and the second end 10b. In the first launder la only the second end 10b of comprises a froth overflow lip 5. Thus the tip 9 of the first launder la guides the froth flow 24 more towards the froth overflow lip 5 than towards the second end 10b of the second sidewall 7b of the second launder lb.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3. In Figure 4 the two froth collection launders la-b comprise three froth overflow lips 5. The radially outer froth collection launder lb is an internal peripheral launder which surrounds the periphery of the tank 2. The inner froth collection launder la comprises a tip 9 forming a froth flow 24 guide. The froth collection launders la-b are arranged to distribute froth to an open area 12a within the first launder and to an open area 12b between the first and the second launder. The controlled distribution of the froth layer 14 among the open areas 12a-b causing balanced load to the froth overflow lips 5 of the froth collection launders la-b result in an improved concentrate grade.

[0040] Figure 5 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3. In Figure 5 shown arrangement the tank 2 comprises three froth collection launders la-c wherein two inner froth collection launders la-b comprise tips 9. The froth transport distance between the first froth collection launder la and the second froth collection launder lb is equal to the froth transport distance between the second froth collection launder lb and the third froth collection launder lc. The froth transport distance is the average distance the froth has to travel in horizontal direction before reaching the froth overflow lip 5.

[0041] The arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3 can be used for balancing froth load to the froth collection launders la-c.

[0042] Figure 6 shows a top view of an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3 with two froth collection launders la-b. The arrangement comprises two froth overflow lips 5 which define two separate open areas 12a-b in the horizontal direction. The open areas 12a-b are for the froth 4 to flow. The top surface of a froth layer 14 is shown with hatching in the open areas 12a-b. By separate open areas 12a-b is referred to areas where the possible opening between areas is so small that it does not allow balancing of the froth layer 14 between the open areas 12a-b.

[0043] Figure 7 shows an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3 com- prising three froth collection launders la-c. The tank comprises three froth collection launders la-c, and a froth transport distance between the first la and the second launder lb is 80% -120% of the froth transport distance between the second lb and the third launder lc. The shown froth collection launders la-c are circular shaped and arranged coaxially. The first froth collection launder la is the innermost, the third froth collection launder lc is the outermost and the second froth collection launder lb is located between the first la and third lc froth collection launders. The first and second froth collection launders la-b comprise tips 9.

[0044] As shown in the Figures it is not necessary that all the froth collection launder la-c bottoms 8 comprise tips 9 in a froth flotation cell 3. The arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3 may comprise a multiple of froth collection launders la-c wherein at least one froth collection launder la-c comprises a tip 9 in the bottom 13 forming a froth flow 24 guide.

[0045] Figure 8 shows a primary line 23 in an arrangement in a froth flotation cell 3. The flotation cell 3 is capable of separating the slurry 13 into an underflow 17 and an overflow 18. A primary line 23 comprises at least three flotation cells 3 connected in series, wherein each subsequent flotation cell 3 is arranged to receive the underflow 17 from the previous flotation cell 3, and the third froth flotation cell 3 or subsequent froth flotation cell 3 in the series comprises the tip 9 located between the centre line 11 and one of the first 10a and the second end 10b in the cross direction x of the froth collection launder 3 and the tip 9 forms the lowest point of the froth collection launder 3.

[0046] The amount of valuable mineral in the slurry 13 reduces after each subsequent flotation cell 3. Therefore the thickness of the froth layer 14 above the slurry 13 decreases. Then the froth balance between the froth surface areas becomes more important that the required grade level can be achieved.

[0047] The presented arrangement and method are suitable for a slurry 13 comprising copper (Cu), for instance. The slurry 13 fed to the third froth flotation cell or subsequent froth flotation cell in the series may comprise copper (Cu) less than 0,2 weight %.

[0048] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

[0049] Part list: l,la-c a froth collection launder; 2 a tank; 3 a froth flotation cell; 4 froth; 5 a froth overflow lip; 6 a discharge pipe; 7a a first sidewall, 7b a second sidewall; 8 a bottom; 9 a tip; 10a a first sidewall end, 10b a second sidewall end; 11 a centre line; 12a -b an open area; 13 slurry; 14 a froth layer; 15 an impeller;16 a gas supply; 17 an underflow; 18 an overflow; 19 an agitator; 20 a motor; 21 a drive shaft; 22 a tapered tank shape; 23 a primary line, 24 a froth flow.

[0050] A froth an available froth surface area; A _pu i _P a pulp area; D a diameter; s a distance; h a height; hi a height; L a length direction; r radial direction; x a cross direction; w a width.