FLOTSIM
Leveraging Multiphase Flow and Physical Chemistry to
Engineer the Next Generation of Flotation Processes
Ali HASSANa, Martin RUDOLPHb, Jesper Gerdes KYHNAUVc, Kerstin ECKERTd
a FLSmidth, Copenhagen, Denmark. b Helmohlotz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Germany.
c FLSmidth, Salt Lake City, USA. d Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
INTRODUCTION
• Froth flotation: An integral mineral separation process
based on differences in hydrophobicities of minerals.
• Extremely complex process with hydrodynamics & surface
chemistry involved and not yet fully understood.
• Future flotation cells must be able to respond to resource,
energy, and economic challenges.
• FlotSim aims to investigate & model the flotation process
and the interactions between particles, air bubbles, and
turbulent water flows from nano-scale to pilot-scale.
• Particular focus on FLSmidth’s nextSTEP flotation cells. Figure 2: A visual representation of different work packages in FlotSim project
from micro-scale to pilot scale [2].
• 5 early stage researchers (ESRs) working together on micro-
and macro-processes in flotation. ESRs’ DESCRIPTION
ESR 1 – Gülce Öktem
• Derivation of particle-bubble interaction parameters, i.e., wettability
characterization of individual mineral grains, from atomic force
microscopy measurements.
• Implementation of the derived information to enhance flotation models
by replacing the simplistic contact angle approach.
ESR 2 – Benedikt Tiedemann
• Numerical determination of collision efficiencies and frequencies in
flotation processes.
• Based multiphase Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) for specific parts
of the flow field.
Figure 1: FLSmidth’s nextSTEPTM (left) and WEMCOTM (right) flotation cells [1] • Using large number of resolved particles and bubbles.
ESR 3 – Hifsa Pervez
WORK PACKAGES • Experimental study of particle-bubble interactions on a lab-scale setup.
• Measurement of the bubble size distribution under turbulence.
• Validation of the models at a pilot flotation facility.
ESR 4 – Vikrant Vinayak Kamble
• Development of expressions for the source terms that account for
turbulence modulation due to bubbles and particles in a Reynolds
Averaged Navier Stoke (RANS) turbulence model.
• Direct Numerical simulation (DNS) for bubble and particle rise in
homogenous isotropic turbulence.
• Development of CFD model for a submerged 3-phase jets.
ESR 5 – Ali Hassan
• Apply process mineralogical & particle tracking approach to model
flotation tests and formulate predictive models using automated
mineralogy.
• Comparison studies on FLSmidth’s WEMCO & nextSTEP flotation cells,
relating to resource & energy efficiency.
• Experimental validation for CFD models developed by other ESRs.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• We greatly acknowledge the contributions of colleagues from FLSmidth, TU
Dresden, and HZDR. Special thanks to Jesse Bowden and Clay Macomber
from FLSmidth for their support throughtout the project.
[Link]
ali.hassan2@[Link]
REFERENCES
[1] [Link]
[2] FlotSim Project Proposal
