Investigating the effect of operating parameters on the froth recovery in flotation cell of hematite circuit of Gol Gohar Iron Ore

The froth phase plays an important role in the recovery of minerals and the grade of concentrates in flotation machines. In the present work, the concept of bubble load was used to calculate the froth recovery. The results showed that the froth depth, aeration, and frother concentration are the most important operational parameters affecting the froth recovery in the flotation cell of hematite circuit of Gol Gohar Iron Ore. The results showed that increasing the aeration and frother concentration, and reducing the froth depth were caused to increase the froth recovery; For example, when aeration, frother and froth depth are respectively 146 m3/h, 150 ml/min and 5 cm, the froth recovery is more than 84%. Also, increasing the depth froth, aeration, and frother concentration were caused to increase the amount of sulfide minerals in the froth phase. Moreover increasing the aeration and frother concentration, and reducing the froth depth were caused to increase the amount of sulfide minerals in the concentrate.