Commonly Used Flotation Machine Types

The flotation machine is the abbreviation of the floating concentrator and refers to the mechanical equipment that completes the flotation process. In the flotation machine, the slurry after the addition of the chemical treatment is stirred and aerated, so that some of the ore particles are selectively fixed on the bubbles, and the surface of the slurry is scraped to form a foam product, and the remaining part remains in the slurry, in order to achieve the purpose of separating minerals. The commonly used flotation machines in China include mechanical agitation flotation machines, aerated agitation flotation machines and flotation columns.

The flotation machine is the abbreviation of the floating concentrator and refers to the mechanical equipment that completes the flotation process. In the flotation machine, the slurry after the addition of the chemical treatment is stirred and aerated, so that some of the ore particles are selectively fixed on the bubbles, and the surface of the slurry is scraped to form a foam product, and the remaining part remains in the slurry, in order to achieve the purpose of separating minerals. The commonly used flotation machines in China include mechanical agitation flotation machines, aerated agitation flotation machines and flotation columns.

First, mechanical stirring flotation machine. The flotation machine is characterized in that the aeration and agitation of the slurry are realized by a mechanical agitator, which belongs to an air self-priming flotation machine.

In addition to self-priming air, the flotation machine can generally self-prime the slurry, so in the flotation production process, the return of the intermediate product generally does not require the sand pump to lift. Therefore, this flotation machine can show significant advantages and flexibility in process configuration. Because it can inhale the air by itself, it does not require an external fan to inflate the slurry. Mechanical agitated flotation machines have been widely used at home and abroad, maintaining a dominant position in all types of flotation machines.

Second, the aerated agitation flotation machine. The main difference between this type of flotation machine and the mechanical agitated flotation machine is that it belongs to the external air supply type. Its agitator only acts as a stirrer, and the air is forced to be fed by an external fan. The aerated agitation flotation machine has the following characteristics:

1. Since it is supplied by an external blower, the amount of inflation can be adjusted by the valve according to the needs of the flotation.

2. Since the impeller only plays a role of agitation, the rotation speed is low, the agitation is not very strong, and the flotation of brittle minerals is not easy to produce mud. The ore surface is relatively balanced, and it is easy to form a stable foam layer, which is conducive to improving the selection index.

3. Because the impeller rotates at a low speed, the slurry flows by gravity, so the unit consumes less electricity and has a longer service life and lower equipment maintenance costs.

The disadvantage of this type of flotation machine is that it cannot inhale the slurry by itself, so the intermediate product returns requires a sand pump to lift. In addition, there must be special air supply equipment, which is more troublesome to manage. Therefore, this flotation machine is often used for rough selection and sweeping operations of simple ore.

Third, the flotation column. The flotation column belongs to one type of inflatable flotation machine. The structural characteristics of this type of flotation machine are that there is no mechanical agitator and no transmission parts, and the inflation of the slurry is pressed by an external air compressor.

The flotation machine has the advantages of simple structure and process flow, low power consumption of the machine, less wearable parts, easy operation and management, etc., but its outstanding disadvantage is that the inflator destroys the production process due to blockage of calcium formation in the alkaline pulp. Further research should be conducted in this regard to improve its performance.

Practice has proved that the flotation column is more suitable for the rough selection and sweeping operations of the easy-to-select ore with relatively simple composition and high grade.