National University of Science and Technology "MISIS" (MISIS)

L. O. Filippov, Professor, е-mail : levfil@gmail.com

V. D. Samygin, Leading Expert, Professor

V. V. Severov, Leading Engineer

A. S. Matinin, First Category Engineer

Flotation studies of three types of copper-nickel ores of the Norilsk deposit were carried out in the pneumatic machine of reactor-separator type. Sample milling and reagent agitation were followed by standard techniques. Cu/Ni ratio in the Norilsk sample was at 1.2–3.2. Milling degree was at 48–92% of <0.077 mm size fraction. Ultrasonic influence of pulp-air flow was performed in the 12 mm reactor for 0.1 s. Mineralized air bubbles combine to form a mineral-containing froth in the channel, called separator. From this work, it can be concluded that the flotation recovery of metals increases to a collective concentrate than the ultrasonic influence is added after reagent treatment. Ultrasonic influence leads to occurrence of strong tendencies in the change of mineralogical and size fraction composition of obtained concentrates which are explained by difference in contrast of their superficial properties. Increase from 8.5% (for low-grade ores) to 45.0% (for rich ores) in the total recovery of copper and nickel to a collective concentrate depends on the metal’s value in an ore and the milling until the desired degree of finesse. Effect of ultrasonic treatment was shown in conditions at which it is possible to influence mainly a separation of depressed mineral particles. For this reason a flotation machine of reactor-separator type has advantages before other flotation cell types.

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