characteristics of flotation cells

In its essentials a flotation cell must provide for two main functions First it must supply air adequate in quantity and quality for satisfactory process kinetics Air quantity can be defined on the basis of the narrow range provided in major U S commercial cells for escape velocity which averages near 12 mmin 4 ft min

Flotation columns and mechanical cells respond in a similar way to the chemical variables and many of the physical ones Feed characteristics will have a similar effect on both machines They also respond to reagents in much the same ways

This paper outlines the cell and ore floatability characteristics of each copper plant and provides a discussion on the differences between these plants In general most porphyry copper ore bodies are processed at high tonnage through several parallel banks of cells at each stage of flotation

General view of the Denver type of flotation cell 1 vessel 2 impeller 3 stator 4 air inlet 5 pulley 6 shaft 7 drain 8 soap film meter 9 barometer 10 seal 11 12 13 impellers for the 100 X 100 140 x 140 and 174 x 174 mm x mm cells respectively all dimensions in mm

This is an overview of setting up and conducting a flotation rate test The test is a means of determining the flotation characteristics of an ore It is conducted in a laboratory scale cell usually with a volume of two point five litres The intention is to generate relationships of cumulative recovery mass pull and grade versus time and use these to evaluate the floatability of metal

The mixing characteristics of largesize industrial flotation equipment consisting of banks of mechanical cells and pneumatic columns has been observed using noninvasive experimental techniques such as a radioactive tracer to measure the residence time distribution of the liquid and solid

Column Flotation EFD is the world leader in column flotation technology with over 900 installations Columns are used for floating wellliberated ores Typically they produce higher grade and have lower power costs than conventional cells Applications include Roughers Scavengers Cleaners

The installed froth cameras allow for continuous monitoring of the cells and clear objective measurements of color texture collapse rate and other variables Optimization of the flotation circuit could lead to USD 46 million revenue annually for every 05 increase in recovery at 110lb of zinc

The MAC flotation cell was developed by KadantLamort Inc It can save energy compared to conventional flotation systems The MAC flotation cell is mainly used in the flotation section of waste paper deinking pulping for removal of hydrophobic impurities such as filler ash ink particles etc

This paper outlines the cell and ore floatability characteristics of each copper plant and provides a discussion on the differences between these plants In general most porphyry copper ore bodies are processed at high tonnage through several parallel banks of cells at each stage of flotation

1 Introduction In the last decade flotation equipment has shown a significant increase in size Since the 1980’s mechanical cells size have increased 10 times in size reaching levels of over 200 m 3 per cell At the present moment most of the new concentrators in Chile have been fully equipped with 130–160 m 3 mechanical cells as well as new cells of 250 m 3 are now in testing stage

are commonly used in plant practice The largest flotation cells presently used in industrial flotation operation are 130 160 250 and 300 m3 Figure 1 show the main characteristics of a selfaerated mechanical flotation cell where the feed pulp circulates upwards through a draft tube by the rotor Al so the air is selfaspirated from the upper

The rougher cleaner and scavenging operations included four seven and seven flotation cells respectively The concentrate grade from every flotation cell is shown in Fig results indicate that the concentrate grade from the first to the fourth flotation cell was approximately 3 which is attributed to tungsten particles with good flotability

The flotation cells are designed for a variety of throughput requirements ranging from small pilot sized cells with a diameter of 08m processing 6 – 10 m 3 h of feed to cells with a diameter of 65m handling feeds of 1500 m 3 h The flow rate is dependent on the feed pressure and rate of concentrate removal

Almost all successful models of the flotation process have been based on the premise that flotation is a kinetic process In this way a model can be formulated in terms of a rate of flotation which can be quantified in terms of some of the many chemical and physical factors that define the environment inside a flotation cell

Separation performance of mechanical flotation cell and cyclonic microbubble flotation column FCMC was compared in terms of the beneficiation of highash coal fines that has the characteristics

designing a flotation column Knowledge of axial pressure characteristics inside the column is also essential in controlling the bubble size But limited research works are available in the published literature Gomez et al 15 have studied on axial pressure profiles in a laboratory flotation column with air water only They have reported

fundamental characteristics and cost components associated with different flotation technologies Table 1 Fundamental characteristics and cost components of different flotation technologies Component Jameson Cell Column Cell Conventional Cell Fundamental Bubble Size 03 – 07 mm 2 – 3 mm 1 – 2 mm Carrying capacity High Low Low

Central donut launder Internal peripheral launder External double launder External peripheral launder Radial launder The selection of the size number and type of flotation cells for a particular duty depends on two important factors These are the required flotation residence time and the physical constraints of how much concentrate can be recovered for a given froth surface area and

carry rates of different flotation duties ie the rougher scavenger and cleaner The values given refer to whole banks of flotation cells Individual cells in the bank may have higher or lower values Particle size and mineral type will also affect these design values The values given are generally representative of base metal sulfide operations

Froth flotation is a good example of an engineering “system” in that the various important parameters are highly interrelated as shown in Figure 1 It is therefore important to take all of Chemistry Components Collectors Frothers Activators Depressants pH Equipment Components Cell Design Agitation Air Flow Cell Bank Configuration

The mixing characteristics of largesize industrial flotation equipment consisting of banks of mechanical cells and pneumatic columns has been observed using non