Studies on selective flocculation of low-grade iron ore using statistical optimization

ABSTRACT

In this study, a two-level and three-variable full-factorial design is used to analyze the behavior of different variables of selective flocculation such as pulp density, pH, and flocculant dosage. The response of low-grade iron ore flocculation was investigated using a two-level and three-variable factorial design. From the studies, the optimal conditions were found to be pH (10), pulp density (6%), and flocculant dosage (0.5 mg/g), and the estimated values of for grade and recovery were 67.52% and 80.17%, respectively. The coefficients of determination (R²) for grade and recovery were found to be 99.80% and 99.97%, respectively.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Amylopectin
• full factorial design
• graft-copolymer
• low-grade iron ore fines
• selective flocculation

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gracefully acknowledge the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), for providing low-grade iron ore samples for this investigation and also National metallurgical laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur for their kind support. The authors are also thankful to CRF, IIT(ISM), for extending the analytical facilities.