Several abnormal phenomena frequently occur during flotation operation. The causes of these phenomena are complex and often not solely due to a single factor. Table 6-3 lists common abnormal phenomena in flotation operation, their causes, and adjustment methods.
Table 6-3 Common Abnormal Phenomena in Flotation Operation, Their Causes, and Main Adjustment Methods
| Abnormal phenomena | Produce born Original because | Main adjustment methods |
| Low concentrate grade | Changes in mineral composition and degree of ore oxidation and argillaceization | Pharmacy, Process |
| Concentrate processing has a high quality fraction and a large output of rough concentrate. | Reduce quality fraction and decrease ore output | |
| Over-inflation | Reduce inflation volume | |
| Excessive dosage reduced selectivity | Reduce drug dosage | |
| Large amount of concentrate scraped out | Reduce scraping amount | |
| Low recovery rate | Changes in mineral composition and degree of ore oxidation and argillaceization | Pharmacy, Process |
| Grinding fineness | Improve grinding and classification fineness | |
| Improper dosage of medicine | Adjusting the medication | |
| Overloaded production capacity, insufficient flotation time | Reduce ore feed | |
| Increased middlings circulation leads to instability in the flotation process. | Reduce the amount of foam scraped off during the operation. | |
| Slurry overflow | Small flotation mass fraction | Reduce water supply |
| Increased overflow of the classifier | Adjusting grinding and classification operations | |
| Flotation machine malfunction, resulting in poor pulp flow. | Repair the flotation machine or clean the pipeline | |
| Excessive foaming agent | Reduce or discontinue medication | |
| The slurry gate was raised too high. | regulating gate | |
| Return volume (medium ore) increased | Reduce medium ore volume | |
| Slurry level drop | The flotation mass fraction increases | Reduce mineral quantity or add water quantity |
| coarse flotation particle size | Adjusting grinding and classification operations | |
| Decreased agitation force in flotation machine, blockage or detachment of aeration pipe. | Repairing flotation machines | |
| The grade of the raw ore has increased. | Supplemental medication | |
| Insufficient foaming agent | Increase dosage | |
| Motor, pipeline, or pump malfunctions, resulting in low slurry volume. | Repair and dredging | |
| Sticky foam | Increase in ore slime | Adjusting the medication |
| Increased pH value in slurry | Reduce the amount of regulator | |
| Excessive foaming agent | Reduce dosage | |
| Lubricating oil mixed into the slurry | Add less or stop adding pine oil and analyze the reasons. | |
| Medicine table accident | Check the dosage of medicine | |
| Excessive scraping volume in each operation | Reduce scraping amount |