Application of “process-factors-in-mixture-amount experiment” to define flotation conditions

Abstract

The simultaneous use of two or more families of collectors can sometimes improve one or more key flotation performance indicators, especially if the ore under consideration contains several minerals bearing the same metal. The maximum amount of a collector that can be used is limited by the need to maintain high concentrate grade and high selectivity. Therefore, when more than one collector is required, an experimental design that allows variations in both the proportions and the amounts with respect to other process factors has to be selected to find the optimum dosage. This type of design is known as “process-factors-in-mixture-amount experiment.” It is a powerful design suitable for discovering the existence and evaluating the magnitude of the interactive effects between various flotation parameters. This paper elaborates the principles on which such a design is based and demonstrates its usefulness with a case study.