Abstract

Introduction: The application of ultrasound in mineral flotation has broad prospects. To further explore the mechanism of ultrasound in flotation, an ultrasound-assisted flotation experimental device was designed, and the mass transfer characteristics of its ultrasound transducer were analyzed.

Background: Ultrasound has shown excellent application prospects in mineral flotation, but ultrasonic flotation technology is still in the laboratory testing stage.

Objective: An advanced experimental device designed and manufactured specifically for conducting ultrasonic-assisted flotation experiments has been developed to accelerate the application of ultrasonic flotation technology in industrial production and improve efficiency.

Method: Firstly, the ultrasonic-assisted flotation test device's overall layout and material selection will be determined. Next, structurally design the core component of the ultrasonic mass transfer device, the piezoelectric transducer. Then, an ultrasonic mass transfer device simulation model will be created, including a vibration simulation model and a sound pressure field simulation model. Finally, a finite element analysis of the mass transfer characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer will be conducted using simulation software.

Results: The analysis of the ultrasonic transducer device's mass transfer characteristics yielded ideal results, and based on the obtained data, the ultrasonic-assisted flotation test device was successfully constructed.

Conclusion: The optimal ultrasonic vibration frequency of the ultrasonic transducer designed in this experiment is 21482 Hz, and both unilateral and bilateral ultrasound can generate regular and stable ultrasonic pressure fields. At the same time and position, the device's excitation voltage change positively correlates with the absolute value change of sound pressure amplitude. The experimental data shows that the ultrasonic-assisted flotation test device has demonstrated feasibility and reliability in practical applications.

Keywords: Ultrasound, transducer, sound pressure field, flotation bubble