Original NetFlot Partners

The network of NetFlot currently consists of 10 partners from European’s leading research institutes, universities and industry in the area of flotation.

HZDR

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR) is a German research organisation and core partner in Eastern CLC. HZDR will serve as the single-point of contact and will lead the NoI. Within HZDR, three institutes are involved with their particular infrastructure and expertise (Institute of Resource Ecology (IRE), Helmholtz-Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) and Institute of Fluid Dynamics (IFD). Jointly they provide Time Resolved Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLFS) and UV-vis Titration for speciation studies in aquatic system, Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble for sorption studies at mineral surfaces and lab space in controlled areas for (radio) labelling of selected flotation components; Bench scale flotation experimentation for the quantification, analysis and modelling of fluid flow in the turbulent rotor-stator region. The floatability is fundamentally investigated with colloidal probe atomic force microscopy methods combined with Raman spectroscopy and complex studies of the surface energy distributions with inverse gas chromatography. Fluid dynamics at micro-scale is investigated by optical microscopy (bubble size & aggregate states (loading), at meso-scale by fast X-ray CT and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for spatio-temporal (3D+t) visualization of flotation processes (phase/particle distribution, froth thickness), and at large-scale by wire-mesh sensors and/or electrical resistance tomography. Analysed data from bench scale is up-scaled and optimisations elucidated by means of advanced multi-phase models (e.g. Multi-Fluid Model coupled with the MUSIG model).

BRGM

Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM or French Geological Survey, www.brgm.eu), is the leading public institution in Earth Science in France, and an Associate Partner in Central CLC. Its core expertise includes the development of eco-technologies for mineral raw materials processing and recycling, as well as the modelling of reactive transport and of geochemical processes. In the Network of Infrastructure “Modelling of the Flotation Processes”, BRGM offers fundamental modelling and simulation of the flotation process at a local scale, to contribute to the development of the targeted modelling and validation toolbox. To this end, BRGM takes advantage of its experience (i) in geochemical and aqueous modelling speciation of aqueous saline systems (up to brine modelling), (ii) in multiphase flow hydrodynamics, and (iii) in reactive transport processes at solid/liquid and gas/liquid interfaces. BRGM experimental facilities comprise bench-scale flotation cells (60 L Wemco cells) and equipment dedicated to the physicochemical characterization of mineral particles: particle size measurements (by laser diffraction), surface charge potential measurements (by capillary electrophoresis), and statistical analysis of the size and shape distributions of particles from 400 nm to 1000 nm (by morphogranulometry).

Outotec

Outotec (Outotec) is a Finnish business partner (core) from the Baltic Sea CLC. Outotec offers front-line process solutions based on proprietary process equipment for a wide variety of mineral processing application: Base metals, precious metals, iron ore, chromite and ilmenite ores, various industrial minerals, and smelter slags. Our solutions range from equipment to complete production plants, always tailor-made to the customer’s needs. Outotec’s competitive edge is based on our extensive mineral processing experience combined with our proven technologies. In-depth process and industry knowledge with hundreds of plant references make us a unique strategic partner for our customers. (http://www.outotec.com/en/Products–services/Concentrate-production/)
Outotec sets new standards in superior flotation performance; aeration and mixing, froth manipulation and recovery – for every flotation task. Every stage in the flotation circuit is customized, be it roughing, scavenging or cleaning. With over 100 years of experience, the complete life cycle of the installation, from the very first mineralogical study through feasibility studies & simulations, is covered. There is no compromise on quality. Outotec is the global market leader by installed capacity in flotation. In the past ten years, over 10 000 Outotec flotation units have been installed around the world. Each unit can is delivered with a customized package of our high-level automation and intelligent instruments. Also Outotec has a large network with universities in research as well as in education.

IMN

Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (IMN) is a Polish research partner (core) from the Eastern CLC. Since the end of the 90 IMN started production of a new generation of flotation machines, successfully implemented in many plants of copper, zinc-lead and coal mining industries. IMN has large experience in application of flotation technology for non-ferrous metals beneficiation (Department of Minerals Treatment and Waste Utilization). IMN (with Institute of Thermal Technology) has completed the project “Development of computer tools for flotation machines design”. The studies focused on both numerical and experimental aspects, addressing reliable methods for modelling of the phenomena occurring in the flotation processes. Tools for computer-aided design of flotation machines were developed with CFD software. Verified models of phenomena occurring in the flotation process were used, validated with a large-laboratory IF-6 flotation cell and modern measurement techniques, e.g. PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry). IMN´s installations for investigations of the flotation processes are Laboratory Pilot Installations (LPI, 50 to 250 kg/h, closed systems with circulation of intermediate products; in 150, 30, 15, 10, and 6 dm³tanks), provide possibilities for modifications of the configuration, and are equipped with devices for measuring and adjusting an extended suite of parameters. IMN´s large experience in designing of flotation processes and production of energy efficient and customized flotation machines will bring an added value in validation of the modelling activities of the network.

University of Liège

University of Liège (ULg) is a Belgian University and core partner from the Western CLC. The GeMMe Research group at the University of Liege is active across the entire value chain of Mineral Raw Materials and is developing an experimental platform for Research-Innovation-Education combining the best of two worlds: Primary Mining and Urban Mining.  The group has a long research tradition in froth flotation particularly devoted at developing laboratory bench scale tests protocols for matching plant scale conditions.  The group contributes to the understanding of grinding chemistry and its downstream influence on flotation performances. One of the key equipment is a fully instrumented grinding mill: the Magotteaux Mill.  Recent research programs extend our froth flotation knowledge’s to the recycling of polymers.

University of Oulu

University of Oulu (UO) is a Finnish University and core partner from the Baltic Sea CLC. University of Oulu provides a unique continuous and automated flotation circuit mini-pilot facility with a capacity of 30 kg/h of ore. The facility is ideal for research and educational purposes allowing experimental work in an environment close to industrial processes. Feasible research topics vary from comminution practices, chemical dosages in flotation and structure of flotation banks to control design. In ten multidisciplinary faculties of UO there are several research groups, which do research in the field of flotation, for example geology, mineral processing, control engineering, environmental and chemical engineering and applied chemistry. The modelling executed is based on mineralogy, computational fluid dynamics, experimental data, kinetics and advanced measurements. Also worth of mentioning is the centre of microscopy and nanotechnology, which has a remarkable amount of advanced analysis tools (http://www.oulu.fi/cmnt/node/15660). University of Oulu has an active co-operation with Outotec and Luleå Technical University.

EIT+

Wroclaw Research Centre EIT+ (WRC) is a Polish research and technology organisation and core partner from Eastern CLC. WRC offers equipment for advanced research of nanostructures, advanced materials and geological samples (e.g. ores, concentrates, waste, slags). For the flotation network WRC offers unique measurement capabilities, like automated mineralogy with SEM Qemscan 650 FEG with advanced software e.g. for fine grained feed concentrates. The Laboratory of Crystallography provides high resolution analysis by small angle X-ray scattering for liquid samples, powder, solid, gel, and fibers (SAXS); wide-angle X-ray scattering in high resolution (WAXS); the study of phase composition, texture, stress and temperature measurements, phase recognition; determination of crystal structure, size of crystallites and the stress (12K to 1473K). Additional capabilities include a dual beam system Helios NanoLab 450 HP and Helios 660 (2D/3D mapping), an Ion polisher with rotary stage and Atomic Force Microscope.

University of Lorraine

University of Lorraine (UL) is a French university and core partner from Central CLC. The Université de Lorraine with 55,000 students covers all disciplines ranging from material to life sciences with 10 Research Centers. The “Laboratory GeoResources” with eight analytical platforms regroups about 200 researchers, engineers, technicians and PhD students in the field of Exploration, Modeling and Exploitation of mineral and energetic resources. The Mineral Processing team has a relevant experience since more than 50 years in ore and wastes processing, being the first research group in France involved in this field since the early 60’s. The UL has a Mineral Processing pilot plant (STEVAL, 2000 m²) with more than 150 comminution and separation equipment, i.e. all type of flotation cells such as: circuit of mechanical cell, fully automated and instrumented column flotation (75 mm of diameter and variable height from 3 to 6 m) and reactor-separator flotation cell. The scale up in flotation may be run in continuous mode with à feed flowrate of 50 kg/hours or 200 kg/hours. The team involved in the project will use the surface and texture analyzers; scanning & transmission electron microscopies; Raman and infrared spectroscopies stations; XRD, particle sizer and electro-kinetics measurements to develop new energy saving intensive processing routes using new intensive flotation machines.

TU Delft (currently no partner)

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a university from The Netherlands and core partner from Western CLC. TU Delft, founded in 1842, is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive university of technology in The Netherlands and globally ranks in the top levels. TU Delft has a strong research profile with the prime focus on engineering and applied sciences. TU Delft works towards a circular, resource-efficient and resilient economy. TU Delft offers higher education programmes, research and business support in geoscience and engineering, mining & resource engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, circular product design and recycling. There is a strong track record on critical materials. There is specialism in on-line learning. Our contribution would be mainly from the teams in geoscience and engineering and materials science and engineering.

AGH

AGH University of Science and Technology (AGH) is a Polish university and core partner from Eastern CLC. AGH poses a strong background in mathematical and numerical modelling, including Computational Fluid Dynamic, multi-scale modelling and meta-modelling (i.a. Cellular Automata, Artificial Neural Networks) . It provides in-house software, as well as commercial modelling CFD software. AGH’s own software for characterization of numerical model parameters is also provided. The part of the AGH is Academic Computing Centre- Cyfronet, providing computational services with top-level HPC and grid-based hardware.

ERAMET

ERAMET Research (ERAMET) is a French Business partner (core) from the Central CLC. ERAMET is a world leader in alloying metals, particularly nickel and manganese, as well as high-quality metallurgy. ERAMET has also major research and development projects in new business lines with high growth potential, such as lithium, zircon, titanium dioxide, niobium, rare earths as well as recycling. The Group includes 54 industrial sites, and 22 of these sites are located in Europe (14 in France, 3 in Sweden, 3 in Norway, 1 in Belgium as well as 1 in the UK,). The Research Centre of ERAMET (ERAMET Research) is dedicated to metallurgical process development leading to industrial implementations in mining, beneficiation, recycling and metal producing plants. ERAMET Research establishes and carries out R&D programs at laboratory and pilot scale, at the same time providing technical information and assistance in the development of industrial processes. Special focus of ERAMET Research lies in the Mineralogical and Mineral Characterization Facilities.