Optimization of operating parameters of graphite flotation circuitusing box-behnken design

Abstract

Flotation is a continuous process, therefore conventional tree analysis tests do not fit to determine the quantity and quality of the products. Hence, it is necessary to incorporate flotation circuits. The present study presents optimization of three stage graphite flotation circuits. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used to determine the optimum flotation conditions. In addition, the relationship between process variables (diesel oil dosage, methyl isobutyl carbinol dosage and sodium silicate dosage) and the responses (weight, carbon content and recovery) has been investigated. Analysis of variance has been performed to check the suitability and significance of the quadratic models. The results are found to be compatible withproposed models (R² ˃0.97) which lead to obtain 13.48 weight % of clean graphite, 78.91% carbon content and 54.55% carbon recovery fromthree-stage flotation circuit.