A flotation test generally includes the following steps:
(1) Formulating a principle plan. Based on the properties of the ore being studied, combined with on-site production experience and relevant professional data, a principle plan is formulated.
(2) Preparing for the test. Preparation mainly includes the preparation of ore samples, equipment, reagents, and water. The quality of pre-test preparation directly affects the quality of the test.
(3) Preliminary test. The purpose of the preliminary test is to explore the research plan, principle process, approximate range of beneficiation conditions, and achievable indicators for the ore being studied.
(4) Conditional test. Based on the research plan and approximate beneficiation conditions determined by the preliminary test, a detailed test plan is prepared for systematic testing to determine the optimal flotation conditions.
(5) Closed-circuit test. The main purpose is to examine the influence of middlings. The method is to simulate a continuous test on discontinuous equipment, that is, to add the middlings from the previous test to the corresponding location of the next test, repeating this several times until equilibrium is reached.
(6) Intermediate test and industrial test. The purpose is to verify the selection conditions and indicators of laboratory tests under conditions close to and similar to actual production. Intermediate tests are tests that fall between small-scale laboratory tests and industrial tests. Industrial tests are conducted in production plants and mines.