FLOTATION
Jameson Cell seeing huge boost in demand
Glencore Technology ’ s Jameson Cell it says has continued to evolve so that operations can better adapt to lower grade ores , larger volumes of throughput with less energy and smaller footprints . First , Jameson Cell has introduced a new 10500 model with 16 downcomers . It processes a much larger volume of feed and can be offered with the new ERMless design . This innovation in Jameson Cell ’ s round ‘ B-cell ’ range dramatically reduces the asset cost and footprint required to treat a given volume of ore .
In fact , a single cell can process a feed volume of almost 5,000 m 3 / h , and a dry feed solids mass of over 2,000 t / h . " Two of these Jameson Cells in rougher-scavenger duty would replace on average six 630 m 3 tank cells , which are the currently biggest mechanical cells on the market . And the footprint of the Jameson Cells would be less than a third of the tank cells . Second , Jameson Cell is being utilised as a major breakthrough in debottlenecking . It ’ s being deployed in rougher scalper duties ahead of a circuit ."
Around 21 cells sold in the last three years have had a duty in the rougher circuit . And the largest Jameson Cell to date was placed into the Newcrest Cadia operation . A B8500 with 12 downcomers , it was successfully commissioned in the second half of 2022 .
Glencore Technology says many other clients are also exploring this duty . Jameson Cells in rougher scalper duties are achieving a final concentrate grade direct from the rougher feed . For example , in copper , multiple demonstrations show 70-90 % recovery at final concentrate grade . And similarly powerful results are being seen in lead / zinc , gold and other base metals .
Third , Jameson Cell produces the ideal bubble size for flotation . “ As you reduce bubble size , fine particle recoveries improve . But as you approach and pass the 300 micron point , a viscosity issue emerges . Extremely tenacious concentrates are generated past that bubble size . Tenacious froths create problems for downstream processes such as pumping and dewatering . Furthermore , the dense concentrates generated can result in froth washing being ineffective and subsequently lower product grades are achieved . These issues cancel any gains that might have been made in recoveries .”
So , the Jameson Cell pursues a target operating condition of about 500 microns . That ’ s been shown to be the ideal bubble size to balance metallurgical results with operational continuity for most applications . Jameson Cells can also be adjusted to achieve finer bubbles for specific duties , if required .
The Jameson Cell ’ s continued evolution in the last two years the company says has created the largest boom in Jameson Cells since the coal boom of the 1990s . In the first half of 2023 , alone , 18 units were sold . The Americas , in particular , are discovering the Jameson Cell as a major source of flowsheet improvements and embracing the technology in all duties including full circuits .
DP depressants where NaSH isn ’ t required . Additionally , following successful lab trials , Clariant is planning industrial plant trials with several other producers that currently use NaSH as a flotation depressant in their molybdenum production . Because the FLOTICOR™ DP sulphide depressants do not present a risk of H2S exposure , operators that replace NaSH can have a safer operation without concerns about pH deviations or having to restrict access to process areas to avoid exposure to toxic gases . “ From a regulatory perspective , it is likely to be easier for molybdenum flotation plants to win approvals using FLOTICOR™ DP sulphide depressants since the environmental , health and safety challenges associated with the use of NaSH do not exist when implementing this product solution .”
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OCTOBER 2023 | International Mining