A small-scale fluidised bed flotation device with the potential to predict industrial-scale performance is entering the final stages of testing with the delivery of 7 prototypes to industry.
Developed by researchers at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), the JKHFmini builds on coarse particle flotation technology where a fluidised bed is used to recover coarse particles during flotation.
Coarse particle flotation, with fluidised bed flotation technology, has the potential to significantly reduce the immense energy requirements associated with comminution and grinding, which currently make up 1% of global emissions, and also support a reduction in mine waste.
“The particles also require less dewatering and can be used in dry stacking technology for tailings,” she said.
“But widespread adoption of coarse particle flotation by the mining industry has been hindered by the fact that even the smallest fluidised bed flotation units require relatively large samples for testing new ores.
“The aim behind the JKHFmini is to provide a method to measure the technology’s performance at a small scale, which is effective in predicting full-scale performance.”
The JKHFmini runs on small sample amounts (approx. 1-2kg) and enables the rapid and efficient testing of the technology for ore amenability, geometallurgical evaluation as well as potentially circuit modelling and design.
“This in turn can provide significantly improved data for decision-making and assessing the viability of coarse particle flotation in different mining and processing operations as well as reducing the risk of implementing fluidised bed flotation technology in industrial applications,” Lizette said.
The concept for the JKHFmini grew from discussions in the Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research (CPR), an initiative of the JKMRC in partnership with industry to implement the technology and optimise its benefits.
“Our industry sponsors highlighted the need for a small-scale unit that mimics an industrial scale unit, and we worked in collaboration to develop the first prototype.”
“We have now built and distributed the prototype JKHFminis to industry partners, who kindly agreed to test the device’s ability to predict industrial-scale fluidised bed flotation performance and develop a scale-up procedure,” Lizette said.
The team are hopeful that the JKHFmini will move toward commercialisation in 2026.
The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education to build new research capabilities and drive commercialisation in priority areas across the Australian resources sector.
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