Foam Control in Copper Flotation: Chemi Tech's High-Efficiency Defoaming Solution

Excessive foam in copper flotation occupies effective tank space, reduces processing capacity, and disrupts mineral-bubble adhesion, leading to 3–8% copper recovery loss and 2–5% concentrate grade fluctuation. One large-scale copper mine reported 60% defoamer efficacy decay in strong alkaline pulp (pH 11–13), with over 40% foam coverage causing annual losses of ￥3.6 million.

Chemi Tech's Core Innovation

KM-680 delivers three breakthroughs:

Nano-composite system:

Hydrophobic silica (≤5μm) and modified polyether siloxane synergize to reduce dynamic surface tension to 24mN/m (25°C), breaking persistent foam in 5 seconds while suppressing rebound for 120 minutes—cutting dosage frequency by 50%.

Broad pH/temperature resilience:

Maintains stability at pH 1–14 and 10–80°C, resisting 5000s/1 shear to prevent failure amid pulp alkalinity fluctuations.

Zero interference with flotation:

Compatible with xanthate/dithiophosphate collectors, preserving chalcopyrite/bornite hydrophobicity to ensure recovery rate and concentrate grade.

Case Study

At a Chilean copper flotation plant (pH 12.5 pulp):

Dosage: 0.15% added once at roughing stage (versus 0.3% for conventional defoamers);

Results:

Foam layer thickness reduced from 18cm to 4cm, increasing tank throughput by 22%;

Copper concentrate grade upgraded from 23.5% to 26.8%, with tailings copper content dropping to 0.15% (from 0.32%);

Annual savings of ￥370,000 in defoamer costs and 150 tons less copper metal loss.

Deployed in porphyry and sulfide copper flotation, compatible with pneumatic and mechanical flotation cells.