Beneficiation of low-grade feldspars using free jet flotation

The largest feldspar reserves of Turkey are located in the western part of the country. This region has albite reserves of as much as 400 million tons. The main impurities in these deposits are TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ bearing minerals with grain sizes of 30-500 microns. Beneficiation of low-grade feldspar ores by jet flotation was investigated by using jet flotation parameters including immersion depth of the nozzle, thicknesses of turbulence, and laminar zones. As a result of these tests, air volume flow was also calculated for a pilot scale free jet flotation unit. The results showed that an effective separation of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ bearing minerals by jet flotation could be accomplished through careful optimization of the parameters.