Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

AMINPRO FKT, SKT and SKT-WS

Flotation Kinetic Testwork
Procedures

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

Introduction
In performing rougher flotation testwork, current data interpretation methods
allow for a single test to define the effect of grind on kinetics of a sample. The
kinetics is represented by the rate constant, k, and the maximum recovery,
Rmax in the plug flow rate equation

Rec = ( 1 ekt ) Rmax

Multiple flotation tests are no longer necessary to define the effect of grind on
recovery. The relationship between Rmax-grind and k-grind can now be done
using the FKT procedure. In this test, the kinetics are defined as a function of
particle size by solving a series of simultaneous equations such that

Rec Total = Reci = ( 1 - e ki t ) Rmaxi

Where i is the ith particle size. By changing the feed size distribution, can the
total recovery be determined at any time for a P80 grind.
The simplified version of an FKT test, is an SKT test. The SKT test is used to
check the ores variability. This test yields a single value of Rmax and k.
The SKT-WS is a modification of the SKT test in that it has a settling test done on
the tailing sample.
The global procedure for these tests are:

Grind sample of X weight to approx. P80 desired

Place ground sample in flotation cell
Remove 300g solid feed material prior to flotation for
assaying and screening
Float X-300 g for discreet intervals.
Weigh wet, filter, dry and re-weigh concentrates and
tailing.
Prepare for assays and microscopy.
Perform Screen Analysis on Feed (FKT,SKT,SKT-WS)
and Tails (FKT) and assay the screen fractions
Enter data in standard formatted table.

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

Procedure Details
Sample Prep:
A representative sample of 2.5 Kg should be crushed to -10 Mesh without overcrushing. In other words, as material is crushed, only the +10Mesh portion
should be returned to the crusher for further size reduction.
Of the 2.5 Kg sample, riffle out X g of sample. As the test requires a screen
analysis of the flotation feed sample, it is recommended that sufficient sample is
ground in a mill to generate approximately 300 g for the head sample and
screening and the remaining for flotation. The amount required for flotation must
be equal to the % solids of the actual plant flotation feed stream. Thus, if we let
X be the total sample required for grinding in grams, the weight is calculated
from:

X = Vfloat Cell / [ (100-%Sol)/%Sol + 1/sg sol ] + 300

Where %Sol is the solids of the plant , Vfloat Cell is the volume of slurry the cell
requires at the start of the lab flotation test (in milliliters) and sg sol is the specific
gravity of the solids material being floated. Prepare all the samples by placing
them into plastic bags. If the sample deteriorates rapidly with time, vacuum pack
the sample or place it in a plastic bag and refrigerate or fill with an inert gas
(Argon/Nitrogen) and seal.
Grind:

Prepare/clean grinding mill for test (record ball load: Wt/Charge-size), RPM
Add X g to ball mill
Add water to make up 62% solids
Add reagents (lime, collector,frother) as per detailed client procedure.
Grind for sufficient time to yield the target P80 grind1
Removed slurry from grinding mill (Use as little water as possible)

The target P80 normally is 150 microns +/- 10 microns. The P80 grind of an FKT test does not have to be
exactly 150 microns as the output of this test is an equation of Rmax and k as a function of particle size.
The overall average Rmax and k for the test can therefore be computed for the exact target P80.

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

Extract the 300 g head sample

Place the product of the grinding mill in the flotation cell

Fill with water to a known volume of slurry
Estimate the volume that needs to be extracted to get 300 g of solid sample.
Siphon the sample into a graduated cylinder to the volume desired
Dry the 300 g head sample for assay and screening.
You are now ready to do the FKT, SKT or SKT-WS test.

Schematic procedure of the Flotation Tests

FKT Test: Perform screen analysis on FEED and Tails and follow the
Procedures shown below:

Grinding
Mill

FKT
150
75

FS

25

FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4

Flotation
Cell

PAN

C1
C2
C3

Symbol

Name

FS
FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4
C1
C2
C3
C4
TS1
TS2
TS3
TS4
T

Sample Total Feed

Sample Feed Screen 1
Sample Feed Screen 2
Sample Feed Screen 3
Sample Feed Screen 4
Sample Conc 1
Sample Conc 2
Sample Conc 3
Sample Conc 4

X
X
X
X

Sample Tail Screen 1

Sample Tail Screen 2
Sample Tail Screen 3
Sample Tail Screen 4
Sample Total Tail

C4

Measurements
Slurry Weight

Dry weight

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Assays

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

TS

150
75
25

TS1
TS2
TS3
TS4
PAN

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

SKT Test: Perform screen analysis on FEED only and follow the procedures
shown in the diagram below

Grinding
Mill

SKT
150
75

FS

25

FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4

Flotation
Cell

PAN

C1
C2
C3

Symbol

Name

FS
FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4
C1
C2
C3
C4
T

Sample Total Feed

Sample Feed Screen 1

Sample Feed Screen 2
Sample Feed Screen 3
Sample Feed Screen 4
Sample Conc 1
Sample Conc 2
Sample Conc 3
Sample Conc 4
Sample Total Tail

C4

Measurements
Slurry Weight

X
X
X
X
X

Dry weight

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Assays

X
X
X
X
X

TS

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

SKT-WS (With settling test): is the same as an SKT, but do a settling test on a
predetermined weight of tails before filtering (by taking a corresponding volume
of slurry from the agitated pulp). The settling test must be done over a 24 hour
period using an optimized dosage of flocculant. If the target tail density has not
been achieved, prolong the test until it does. The test is to be done with a feed
slurry density between 8 and 10% solids by weight.

Grinding
Mill

SKT-WS
150
75

FS

25

FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4

Flotation
Cell

PAN

C1
C2
C3

Symbol

Name

FS
FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4
C1
C2
C3
C4
T
SED

Sample Total Feed

Slurry Weight

Sample Feed Screen 1

Sample Feed Screen 2
Sample Feed Screen 3
Sample Feed Screen 4
Sample Conc 1
Sample Conc 2
Sample Conc 3
Sample Conc 4
Sample Total Tail
Sedimentation Sample

C4

Measurements

X
X
X
X
X
X

Dry weight

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Assays

Settling

TS

X
X
X
X
X

Sedimentation

24 Hrs

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

Detailed Procedure for Flotation

Prepare cell for flotation (measure air, auto-level system, set RPM.
Place the agitator in the cell and turn on without splashing (and no air).
Add filtrate water from previous tests (if available) to the cell and bring it near
desired level for flotation. Otherwise use a pH conditioned water2
Set cell on auto-level mode if possible.
Add reagents as per client procedure (start with lime/pH/redox)
Condition 1 minute.
Turn air on to optimized level.
As soon as the concentrate appears, start the clock and start removing
concentrate3.
In the absence of an automatic level control system, frequent adjustment of
the pulp level will be required as the test proceeds. Do these adjustment by
adding water.
Separate concentrates for the following intervals: 0-0.75 min, 0.75-2 min, 2-8
min, 8-30 min.
No squirts of water are allowed on the cells lip at any time. No water addition
is allowed to the concentrate pan, at least until it has been weighed. This is
because the Aminpro FKT and SKT tests require accurate readings of the %
solids of each concentrate produced.
Clean the cell side walls some 30 seconds prior to the end of a time interval.
Do not scoop into the pulp!!. .
At end of test, measure pH, redox and write down any test observation.
All flotation tests must be backed with a flotation test form. This form must be
made available electronically.
Record all equipment dimensions, volumes, rpms, etc. so a third party can
reproduce the testwork.

For any testwork, the water used should reflect the recycle water of a plant. For this, it is important that
waters from a test program be kept for testwork. The starting volume of slurry must be marked on the cell
interior wall. This is so that at the end of the test, the remaining tails can be brought back in volume to the
marking.
3
At the start of the test, when the froth mineralization is most prominent, try to remove the froth as soon as
the mineralization appears. You may automate the removal rate to one scoop per second as soon as the bulk
of the mineralized froth has been removed.

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

Filter and Dry Flotation Products

At the end of the test, ensure that all wet weights are written down from the
tailings and concentrates products. Weigh the flotation cell with the slurry
tails to the initial volume marking to obtain the tailings wet weight. Ensure no
water is added to any of the concentrate samples prior to wet weighing.
If the test has an SKT-WS procedure, after having weighed the wet tails,
remove a known volume of stirred sample to yield between 8-10% solids feed
in a settling test. And proceed with the settling test.
Dry all flotation products and weigh.
Estimate the % solids of all products including feed.

Buck samples and prepare them for assays and/or microscopy.

Prepare concentrate samples as follows:

Each concentrate must be dried
Split each concentrate interval into 2 portions: one for microscopy and one
for assaying (elements and partial extraction) (weight ratio: 1/9
respectively)
The portion being assayed must be pulverized.

Prepare the Feed and tailings sample as follows:

For an FKT test, feed and tailing need to be assayed and in addition need
to be screened and each screen fraction also needs to be assayed. The
SKT tests need feed and tailing assays and only the feed needs to be
screened and does not need to be assayed
The samples of feed (300 g) and tails that need to be screened must
produce 4 screen fractions. The product of each screen fraction must be
split into two portions: one for microscopy and one for assays. The
weights should be 1/9 respectively.
All samples destined for assays must be pulverized.
All samples going to microscopy must remain un-pulverized.
All reject samples must be bagged/labeled and kept.

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com

Minpro

Amelunxen Mineral Processing Ltd

10

Perform Screen Analysis on Feed and Tails

Both Feed and Tail samples (300 g each) must be screened accurately most
likely on sizes 100Mesh, 200Mesh, 500Mesh and 500Mesh. The client will
specify.

The idea is to maintain the same screens for all the tests and to generate
similar weights for each screen. It is always recommended that for typical
porphyry ores, that the bottom screen be a 500 Mesh denomination.
Under these conditions, the entire 300g sample must be wet screened on
500 Mesh. The oversize must be dried and re-screened on the upper
screens. The undersize of the 500 Mesh screen can be filtered and dried.
When the oversize is screened, there will always be some 500 Mesh
material left that will need to be joined with the original 500 Mesh product
from the wet screening operation. For dry screening, shake 20 min

The screen denomination and the number of screens will depend on client
requirements. It is recommended that only four screen be used as the costs
for the test increases drastically with increased number of screens.

Reporting Results

All results should reported on a formatted spreadsheet provided by Aminpro.

Results should be reported electronically.

Box 296, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada, V0N 1T0

Tel/Fax (1-604) 898 1111 - www.aminpro.com