Effect of Flotation Parameters on Recovery of South Africa Nickel Sulphide Ore

Abstract:

This study investigated the effects of flotation parameters on the recovery of low grade nickel sulphide ore. The parameters investigated are the particle size, flotation time, temperature and pH of the pulp. The analyses of the results obtained showed that particle size, pH, and flotation time had significant effects on the recovery of nickel sulphide ore. The particle size distribution showed that the breakage rate increased in coarse particles and decreased with reduction in particle size. The optimum particle size was found to be 87% passing 75 µm with the highest nickel recovery of 35% at 15 minutes while 68, 79, and 97% passing 75 µm produced nickel recovery of 15, 20 and 16% respectively. The maximum nickel recovery of 35% was achieved at pH of 10.5 which indicated that the nickel sulphide ore has good floatability at alkaline pH range. It was also observed that the recovery of nickel increased with flotation time and the highest recovery was obtained at flotation time of 15 minutes.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 260-261)
• Pages: 961-968
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.260-261.961
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Ayo Samuel Afolabi, Ambali Saka Abdulkareem, Edison Muzenda
• Keywords: Flotation, Particle Size, Pentlandite, pH, Recovery, Temperature, Time

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