Optimizing coarse chalcopyrite separation in fluidized bed flotation: Role of the self-generated bed

Coarse particle separation is important in mineral processing. In this study, the performance of coarse chalcopyrite ore separation (−600 μm, Cu grade 0.375 %) by fluidized bed flotation (FBF) was investigated and the basic function of fluidized bed on the particle separation is discussed. The chalcopyrite grain size distribution mainly ranges from 50 to 300 μm, with over 80 % of the grains being liberated. The results indicate that the FBF system can reject tailings with a yield of 48 % and a Cu grade of 0.06 %. Additionally, concentrate Cu grade reaches 0.62 %, which is around 1.65 times higher than feed, resulting in a total Cu recovery of 91.55 %. The introduction of a fluidized bed increases Cu recovery of −600 + 300 μm from 50 % to73%, as it improves the possibility of bubble-particle attachment, but the variation of bed height has little influence. Particles with a size of −300 + 74 μm can obtain a 96 % Cu recovery in the bubbly flow, while particles with a size of −74 μm lose their separation effect due to hydraulic entrainment.