FLOTATION KINETICS

By Ph.D. Igor Bobin, Ph.D. Natalia Petrovskaya

Flotation kinetics (from the Greek Kintiks - driving) is studying the regularities of
flotation
process
at
the
time,
the
rate
and
the
flotation
mechanism.
Kinetics of flotation reflects the flotation results in variable states and is characterized by
dependency of the recovery R of floatable mineral in concentrate from time t, i.e. R = f (t). It allows
a quantitative description of the flotation process in time.

Kinetic curve of floatability is a graph showing the change in concentration of substances in

time. At Fig. 1 there are two of the most common type of flotation kinetic dependences R = f (t):
exponential function and sigmoidal function.
The exponential dependence is characteristic for hydrophobic and most easily floatable
mineral particles and particles whose surface has time to react quickly and easily with flotation
reagents (primarily activators and collectors).
The sigmoid dependence resembling the letter S, is often called S-shaped dependence.
Sigmoid dependence is characteristic for the less hydrophobic and difficult floatable minerals, the
surface of which are not rapidly react with flotation reagents, and hydrophobic surfaces that require
a longer contact with the flotation reagents.
At first glance, many processes can be described by an exponential function. Experience
shows that almost all flotation systems have an inertia from a few seconds up to several hours. The
exponential dependence allows sufficient accuracy to describe the processes of inertia, and it is a
standard mathematical model of the kinetics of flotation. Often, however, besides an inertia,
flotation processes occur with a some delay of time. It should be accounted in modeling.
Intensity of the process of flotation is characterized by a rate of flotation. Because the feedstock for
the flotation process can content more that one valuable component, in practice the flotation rate is
determined for each component separately.
Flotation rate (velocity) for the i-th component is the ratio of the recovery R of i-th
valuable component in the foam product to the unit of time t. Flotation rate is derivative of time
v = dR/dt (% / secs).

Fig. 1. Types of flotation kinetic dependences:

1 - exponential function; 2 - sigmoidal function

Ph.D. Igor Bobin has proposed and published the following his own equations of flotation
kinetics:
1. Improved equation of flotation kinetics of the traditional kind, but with delay

where Rmax is ultimate recovery of the valuable component, which is set from 0 to 100% based on the
experimental data of the flotation process, %; T is time constant of flotation (constant of inertia), which is
determined by the graphical method (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) on an experimental curve of the kinetics of flotation,
secs; is time delay of flotation, which is determined by the graphical method (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) on an
experimental curve of the kinetics of flotation, secs; t is time, secs.

Improved equation (1) is well-suited for modeling the kinetics of flotation R(t) of processes with
exponential kinetics curves with delay. Equation (1) is devoid of the drawbacks of conventional
flotation kinetics equation, it does not require the selection of parameters, all the parameters of the
flotation kinetics model (1) is conveniently determined by standard graphic method on the schedule
of the experimental curve of kinetics (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) [1].

Fig. 2. Approximation of dependence R = f (t) for copper

Fig. 3. Approximation of dependence R = f (t) for zinc

2. Equation (inertia model) of flotation kinetics of the first order with delay [1] (the
differential equation in the operator form of Laplace)

where Rmax is ultimate recovery of the valuable components in the concentrate is set from 0 to 100% based
on the experimental data of the flotation process, %; T is time constant of flotation (constant of inertia),
which is determined by the graphical method (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) on an experimental curve of the kinetics of
flotation, secs; is time delay, which is determined by the graphical method (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) on an
experimental curve of the kinetics of flotation, secs; s is complex variable (on Laplace).

Equations (2) and (1) are identical in nature, but (2) is written in the operator form and it is
convenient for modeling (using MATLAB).
3. Equation (inertia model) of flotation rate of the first order with delay [1] (the differential

equation in the operator form of Laplace)

where
Rmax is ultimate recovery of the valuable component is set from 0 to 100% based on the
experimental data of the flotation process, %; T is time constant of flotation (constant of inertia), secs;
is time delay, secs; s is complex variable (on Laplace).

4. Equation (inertia model) of flotation kinetics of second order with delay

where Rmax is ultimate recovery of the valuable component is set from 0 to 100% based on the experimental
data of the flotation process, %; T2 is time constant of flotation (constant of inertia), secs; is time of
pure transport delay, secs; tr is time of transition delay, secs; s is complex variable (on Laplace).

Parameters T2, tr are determined by known analytical tables.

So in our case for the second-order accuracy the parameters of inertia model are T2 = T / 2.72,
tr = 0,107 T .
The parameters T and are experimentally determined graphically on the experimental time curve
(see. Fig. 2, Fig. 3).
5. Equation (inertia model) of flotation rate of the second order with delay

where Rmax is ultimate recovery of component is set from 0 to 100 % based on the experimental parameters
of the flotation process, %; T2 is time constant of flotation (constant of inertia), secs; - is time of pure
transport delay, secs; tr is time of transition delay, secs; s is complex variable (on Laplace).

Fig. 4. Experimental dependence of the kinetics of zinc flotation 1 and analytical dependence
of zinc flotation kinetics of the first order of accuracy 2 and of the second order of accuracy 3
obtained by simulation

Fig. 5. Analytical dependence of the zinc flotation rate of the first order of accuracy 1
and of the second order of accuracy 2 obtained by simulation
Formulas (2) and (4) are transfer functions W(s) for model of the flotation kinetics R(t).
Formulas (3) and (5) are transfer functions W(s) for model of the flotation rate (velocity) v(t). For
practical modeling of flotation kinetics (e.g. using Simulink) enough to apply the unit constant
value 1(t) to the input of a system described by transfer function (2), (3), (4) or (5); then from the

output of the system, we obtain the corresponding kinetics curve R(t) or flotation velocity curve v(t)
(See. Fig. 6). It is the most convenient and simple way of modeling of the flotation kinetics and the
flotation rate. Also, the expressions (2), (3), (4) and (5) allow to model the dynamics of flotation.

Fig. 6. Practical simulation of the flotation kinetics and the flotation rate
using equations (2), (3), (4) and (5)
The requirement for further enhancing the accuracy of modeling necessitates use in a model
increasingly complex differential equations. For example, in applications requiring higher accuracy
of calculations, for mathematical description of the flotation kinetics and the flotation rate can be
used the inertial models of second or higher order with delay. Especially recommended to use
similar models (4) and (5) to describe the kinetics and dynamics of the flotation of minerals with Sshaped experimental curves of the time. In this case, in the simulation, the shape of the analytical
curves of kinetics and dynamics corresponds to the shape of the experimental curves. What could be
more important in the optimization of the ore flotation process. Practical simulation of flotation
kinetics with Bobins equations (2), (3), (4) and (5) may be performed using any system of
computer mathematics. For example MATLAB. Bobins equation (1) is less demanding on the
researcher's toolbox, you'll only have possession of MS Excel or even a manual calculation.
References
1. I. Bobin, N. Petrovskaya. USAGE OF INERTIAL MODEL OF 1ST ORDER WITH DELAY FOR
ANALYSIS OF KINETICS OF FLOTATION, 2008.
Ph.D. Igor Bobin, Ph.D. Natalia Petrovskaya, 2008, 2016
nataliapetrovsky@gmail.com
bobin.igor@yahoo.com