Optimization of flotation process in Esfordi phosphate beneficiation plant

This paper presents the results of first stage investigation of phosphate recovery from fine particles in Esfordi phosphate beneficiation plant. The aim of this investigation was the optimization of flotation process for increasing the phosphate recovery and decreasing the Iron content of concentrate. Experimental design, Taguchi method, was applied to investigate the effects of 8 factors namely, collectors ratio, collectors dosage, pH, starch dosage, pulp density, conditioning time for starch, conditioning time for collectors and frothing time. 4 responses, namely phosphate recovery, phosphate grade, iron recovery and iron grade were measured and evaluated to determine the optimum conditioning of each response. The orthogonal array L27(313) was used for the evaluation of the above factors on the responses of design. Statistical analysis of results showed that starch dosage, pulp density an frothing time had more impact on the phosphate recovery. The optimum condition for each response was introduced and the best condition for phosphate grade in concentrate was compared with the ruling condition in beneficiation plant. The comparison of results showed acceptable improvement in concentrate quality.