Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FlotSim (Leveraging Multiphase Flow and Physical Chemistry to Engineer the Next Generation of Flotation Processes)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-03-01 al 2025-02-28
Based on long-term collaboration, FLSmidth (FLS) and Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) were awarded the EID FlotSim project to improve the recovery rates of flotation by science-based development. FLSmidth (FLS) is a world-leading manufacturer, providing service and technology to extract base metals and critical raw materials by flotation processes. Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) is a world-leading institute of higher education and one of the most dynamic universities in Germany, offering a broad variety of disciplines and covering a wide research spectrum. Flotation is an extremely complex and not completely understood process, with a lot of energy and resources wasted. Highly improved, next-generation flotation cells are necessary to remain economically competitive and to respond to the desire of citizens for ecology-friendly mining. FlotSim addresses these societal challenges through its research and development, as well as the recruitment and training of five early stage researchers [ESRs]. The ESRs will jointly investigate and model the flotation process with its complex interactions between valuable mineral particles, gas bubbles, and turbulent flow, addressing phenomena from the nanoscale to the scale of pilot machines. With FlotSim, FLS, TUD and associated non-academic partners join forces to integrate top-notch scientific expertise and computational know-how into an industry-driven network. FlotSim will jointly develop new sophisticated quantitative models of the relevant micro-processes and integrate them into a novel predictive simulation framework for the entire flotation process. FlotSim strives for sustained impact through joint publications and the transfer of results into unprecedented simulation software, technological solutions, and the next generation of flotation machines by FLSmidth and other stakeholders.
Work Package 1: Micro-Processes. ESR1 conducted fundamental work on modeling attachment and detachment of individual mineral particles to/from bubbles depending on their hydrophobicity and composition. ESR2 started to develop numerical models to predict bubble-bubble and bubble-particle collision rates in a turbulent flow. ESR3 worked on fundamental aspects to estimate the coalescence and breakup rates of bubbles in turbulent flow in the presence of particles and frother. ESR 4 started his work on turbulence modulation due to bubbles and particles based on numerical simulations of single bubbles and particles.
Work Package 2: Macro-Processes. ESR5 has started to work on the process models for the nextSTEP flotation cell that incorporates the sub-models and results of ESR1 to 4. Hence, he prepares the experimental campaigns to validate the process model.
Work Package 2: Macro-Processes. ESR5 has started to work on the process models for the nextSTEP flotation cell that incorporates the sub-models and results of ESR1 to 4. Hence, he prepares the experimental campaigns to validate the process model.
The results will allow for better design and scale-up of flotation cells.