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Flotation is a method of enrichment used to distribute particles, which differ in their surface properties. Hydrophobic solids intrinsically create contact at the solid-liquid-gas interface. However, not all minerals, including copper minerals, can be characterized by this crucial ability. In that case it is necessary to use the collector reagents which guarantees a high efficiency of the enrichment process. The main aim of the paper was to examine the impact of selected collector types and dosages on the results of Polish sandstone copper ore flotation and to find optimal parameter values for products that meet quality and quantity requirements. The laboratory tests were carried out with an application of two types of collectors (Hostaflot, sodium ethyl xanthate aqueous solution) in dosages 100 and 150 g/Mg. Data analysis was based on the use of the taxonomy methods in order to select optimal conditions of collector dosage and type. Based on the indexes, it was found that the best enrichment effects were obtained with a sodium ethyl xanthate aqueous solution 150 g/Mg.

The paper presents the results of an analysis of hard coal quality diversion in narrow size fraction by using taxonomic methods. Raw material samples were collected in selected mines of Upper Silesian Industrial Region and they were classified according to the Polish classification as types 31, 34.2 and 35. Then, each size fraction was characterized in terms of the following properties: density, ash content, calorific content, volatile content, total sulfur content and analytical moisture. As a result of the analysis it can be stated that the best quality in the entire range of the tested size fractions was the 34.2 coking coal type. At the same time, in terms of price parameters, high quality of raw material characterised the following size fractions: 0-6.3 mm of 31 energetic coal type and 0-3.15 mm of 35 coking coal type. The methods of grouping (Ward’s method) and agglomeration (k-means method) have shown that the size fraction below 10 mm was characterized by higher quality in all the analyzed hard coal types. However, the selected taxonomic methods do not make it possible to identify individual size fraction or hard coal types based on chosen parameters.

The flotation of copper ore is a complex technological process that depends on many parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the complexity of this phenomenon by choosing a multidimensional data analysis. The paper presents the results of modelling and analysis of beneficiation process of sandstone copper ore. Considering the implementation of multidimensional statistical methods it was necessary to carry out a multi-level experiment, which included 4 parameters (size fraction, collector type and dosage, flotation time). The main aim of the paper was the preparation of flotation process models for the recovery and the content of the metal in products. A MANOVA was implemented to explore the relationship between dependent (β, ϑ, ε, η) and independent (d, t, cd, ct) variables. The design of models was based on linear and nonlinear regression. The results of the variation analysis indicated the high significance of all parameters for the process. The average degree of matching of linear models to experimental data was set at 49% and 33% for copper content in the concentrate and tailings and 47% for the recovery of copper minerals in the both. The results confirms the complexity and stochasticity of the Polish copper ore flotation.

The flotation of copper ore is a complex technological process that depends on many parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the complexity of this phenomenon by choosing a multidimensional data analysis. The paper presents the results of modelling and analysis of beneficiation process of sandstone copper ore. Considering the implementation of multidimensional statistical methods it was necessary to carry out a multi-level experiment, which included 4 parameters (size fraction, collector type and dosage, flotation time). The main aim of the paper was the preparation of flotation process models for the recovery and the content of the metal in products. A MANOVA was implemented to explore the relationship between dependent (β, ϑ, ε, η) and independent (d, t, cd, ct) variables. The design of models was based on linear and nonlinear regression. The results of the variation analysis indicated the high significance of all parameters for the process. The average degree of matching of linear models to experimental data was set at 49% and 33% for copper content in the concentrate and tailings and 47% for the recovery of copper minerals in the both. The results confirms the complexity and stochasticity of the Polish copper ore flotation.

As far as coal is concerned, the data are usually considered to be independent variables, and such an approach is not always appropriate. Therefore, the paper focuses on the multidimensional analysis, which allows to conduct the comparisons of the coal types and to determine the relationship between their specific characteristics. The paper presents an analysis of variance and an observational tunnels method, which enabled to examine the differences between three types of coals: 31, 34.2 and 35. In order to achieve the experimental aim, a number of laboratory analyses of coal were carried out. Such parameters as combustion heat, ash contents, sulfur contents, volatile parts contents and analytical moisture were determined for samples, including the mass and density of these fractions, so seven various features were specified for each coal. The results of the observational tunnels method and the ANOVA application confirmed that the accepted parameters were sufficient for the proper identification of the coal sample origin and their size fractions. As a result of ANOVA, the volatile matter content was determined as the feature on which identification of the coal types can be based, regardless of size fraction. However, the remaining parameters affect the study groups randomly. While applying the methods of multidimensional analysis, some limitations were encountered that indicated the complex structure of the grained material.

Copper ores located in the Lubin-Glogow Copper Basin contain three main lithological fractions: sandstone, carbonate and shale. This fact is the basic problem of organization and conducting ore preparation to flotation. The existing circuit of feed preparation contains (in ZG Rudna) five classification nodes of hydrocyclones which fit for various purposes. The elaboration of concept of monitoring work of these nodes should be based on appropriate mathematical models of process. It was decided that either regressive or non-dimensional models that is classification according to Svarovsky, and particularly Plitt’s, will be suitable, in the aspects of d50 and partition sharpness. Errors resulting from determination of the features being part of the equations were also important. In this paper the errors were divided into technical and technological. The issue of experiments organization (mineralogical investigation connected with each classification node) was also addressed. It is obvious that each classification node must obtain its characteristics because of various comminution products directed to classification.

The coal gasification process is one of the technologies which gain more and more attention among technologists dealing with processing and utilization of coal. In case of ground gasification, one of such technologies is fluidized bed gasification. For such gasification the guidelines were elaborated within the scientific project of NCBiR no. 23.23.100.8498/R34 Authors chose main of these guidelines, concerning the required levels of certain coal features. In purpose of investigating coal for its suitability to gasification, samples were collected from two Polish mines: ZG Janina and ZG Wieczorek and processed properly. The methods being used to visualization of multidimensional data through transformation of multidimensional space into two-dimensional space allow to present multidimensional data on computer screen. Among such methods, relevance maps method can be found which was used in this paper to present and analyze set of seven-dimensional data describing coal samples originating from both mines. It was decided to check whether this method of visualization of multidimensional data allows to divide the samples space into subspaces of various usefulness to the process of fluidal gasification or not. The method enables the visualisation of the optimal subspace containing the set requirements concerning the properties of coals intended for this process.