R. Atash-Dehghan - R&D Division, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Rafsanjan, Iran
M. Kolahdoozan - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mining Eng., University of Tehran, Iran
A. H. Koohsari - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mining Eng., University of Yazd, Iran

To study the effect of froth drop back (FDB) on copper concentrate grade a column with special shape in washing zone was designed and manufactured in Sarcheshmeh copper complex of Iran. The column’s height is 500 cm with the diameter of 6 cm. The three product column (3PC) is made of plexyglass material with a special elbow. This column has shown to yield, clean, high-grade concentrates because it separates the froth-rejected particles (drop-back or third product) selectively and uses two washing water entrances. This column is suitable to study Jw , JB , FDB and wash water addition point in conventional flotation columns. This cell showed promising results in terms of enrichment ratio as a copper cleaner. Also copper concentrate grade of 23.5% was acheived.

Flotation Columns, 3PC Column Flotation Cell, Froth Drop Back, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex