Outotec (St. Petersburg):

Mashevsky G. N., Chief Technologist-Consultant, gennady.mashevsky@outotec.com

Petrov A. V., Head of Department, alexsandr.petrov@outotec.com

Romanenko S. A., Leading Technologist, Sergey.Romanenko@outotec.com

Russkaya Mednaya Kompaniya (Russia):

Sufyanov F. S., Deputy General Director, Sufyanov@rambler.ru

Aktyubinsk Copper Company TOO (Republic of Kazakhstan):

Balmanova A. Zh., Chief Technologist of the Concentrating Plant No. 2, Ainur.opi@mail.ru

The article considers a new approach to the process of sulfide minerals selective flotation separation from pyrite in lime medium. The existing practice of this process realization is based on pulp рН control, to be maintained at approximately 11.8–12.5 level. However, the related literature does not give any definite proof regarding optimal value of this parameter, and in work practice the operator intuitively sets a stabilizing pH value depending on the obtained metallurgical results. Unreliability of the existing means of automatic рН control by glass electrodes hinders wide application of computerized process control methods in modern production conditions. The publication presents the evidence supporting, that pulp electrochemical potential value (Eh) plays an essential role for the considered flotation process, controlling thermodynamic equilibrium of xanthate and dixanthogenide free ions. A comparative analysis of conventional methods of lime dosing control was performed on the basis of neural network modeling of the production facility (Puhasalmi): рН-metry, conductometry and Eh. The analysis results verify the process running efficiency on the basis of pulp electrochemical potential control. For the first time pulp electrochemical potential control was proposed to be carried out in a production environment on the basis of electrode made form metallic molybdenum instead of conventionally used platinum. The disadvantages of platinum electrode application are shown. By way of example of two production facilities — Puhasalmi and «Green Mountain» — uniformity of processing optimum is based on molybdenum electrode potential. The operating facility dynamic properties studies by way of example of Green Mountain concentrator cleaner copper flotation circuit demonstrated reliability of lime dosing automatic regulation system integration into process.

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