Introducing key advantages of intensified flotation cells over conventionally used mechanical and column cells
Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Mehdi Safari, Hamid Khoshdast, Mustafa K. Guner, Duong Hoang, Tim Sambrook, Przemyslaw B. Kowalczuk
Abstract
The present paper introduces the key advantages of Imhoflot TM , Jameson TM , and Reflux TM flotation cells over the conventionally used mechanical and column cells from different perspectives. The impact of slurry mean retention time, bubble size distribution, and energy input was studied for all cell types. The mean retention time in laboratory-scale Imhoflot TM (V030-cell) and Reflux TM flotation cells (RFC100) were measured experimentally using KCl as a tracer. Also, initially a statistical and practical overview of previously installed Imhoflot TM , and Jameson TM cells was presented in this work. It was found that more industrial data is available for the Jameson TM cell. The diagnostic results showed that Reflux TM , Jameson TM , and Imhoflot TM functionally operate similarly based on providing intensive turbulence in the downcomer. They were initially applied to the Australian and the UK coal industries and installed in the cleaning stage of flotation circuits, while there are now more applications in a wide variety of minerals across the world in different flotation stages. First pilot trials on a Russian gold ore were reported operating both Jameson TM and Imhoflot TM cells at the rougher-scalper and cleaner stages providing superior results using the Imhoflot TM cell as rougher-scalper and the Jameson TM at the cleaner. Formation of sub-micron and micron-sized bubbles, effective hydrodynamic characteristics, and low capital and operating costs were reported as major advantages of intensified flotation cells over the conventionally used ones in improving the recoverability of ultra-fine particles. Literature data showed that these cells provide greater gas-hold-up values (40-60%) over the mechanical (5-20%) and column cells (5-25%) with substantially lower power inputs. It was indicated that low mean slurry retention time could lead to a potential enhancement in their throughputs, but further industrial measurements are required to prove this statement. The Reflux TM cell showed a plug-flow mixing regime, while Imhoflot TM V-Cell followed perfect mixing dispersion regime.