Sedimentation and flotation of calcite using polyacrylamide flocculants

Abstract

Combining sedimentation and flotation for fine-particle removal from mineral suspensions is challenging because the two processes favour different particle sizes, aggregate structures and interfacial conditions. This study investigated how polyacrylamide (PAM) agents of varying charge type, charge density and dose influence the flocculation, sedimentation and flotation behaviour of fine and coarse calcite suspensions. Aggregate evolution and shear response were characterised in situ using focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and image-derived chord-length distribution (ID-CLD), supported by sedimentation, flotation, electrokinetic and polymer-adsorption measurements. For coarser OM-20..