Influence of measuring process properties on phosphate rock slurry rheology based on Brookfield method

Abstract

This research aims to explore how the flotation process conditions influence the rheological properties of phosphate rock slurry. The apparent viscosity of phosphate rock slurry was measured by Brookfield DVNext rheometer. Different mineral types, grinding time, slurry mass concentration and reagent systems were adopted to study the viscosity behavior of phosphate rock slurry. The results showed that under the same conditions, the apparent viscosity of apatite and dolomite slurry was basically the same, and the apparent viscosity of the slurry after mixing the two minerals was basically the same as that of single mineral. For the same slurry concentration, the mineral particle size had a significant effect on the rheological behavior of the slurry, and its apparent viscosity increased exponentially with the decrease of particle size. In addition, phosphate rock slurry showed shear thickening fluids characteristics when the slurry concentration is 20%-40%, but changed to pseudoplastic fluid at high concentration (60%). Sulfuric acid as pH regulator and inhibitor had little effect on the rheology of slurry; when GJBW and NaOL were added as collectors, the rheology of slurry changed, and the effect of GJBW was more obvious.