Effect of pH and reagents on the froth stability in the copper flotation; Case study: Mohammadabad-E-Delijan copper company

In the flotation of sulfide minerals, pH and reagent dosage is very important. In the majority of copper flotation circuits, based on an idea, the pH is higher than standard values to increase the froth stability. In this study, to determine the effect of pH and reagent dosages on the froth stability, flotation tests based on the Taguchi design (L27) were performed on a sample of flotation circuit of the Mohammadabad-E-Delijan copper company, and froth stability (froth half-life time) was measured. The results showed that, unlike the idea, pH does not have a significant effect on the froth stability. Also, it was shown that froth stability was affected by collector’s (Z11 and TC15), and Dowfroth250 (frother) dosages and was not affected by MIBC (frother) dosage. Finally, the highest froth stability was resulted when pH was 11.2, Z11, TC15, Dowfroth250, and MIBC dosages were 20, 15, 20, and 15 g/t, respectively.