Flotation column is an aeration flotation equipment. It has no agitator and no transmission parts. It is a new flotation equipment and has been successfully applied to flotation operations of various minerals. According to the different structure, the flotation column is divided into two main categories: Counterflow contact micro bubble flotation column and cyclonic static micro bubble flotation column
Counterflow flotation column
Counterflow flotation column is a new type of high efficient pneumatic flotation equipment, which works in the way of ore particles counter current contact with micro bubbles. It has high separation efficiency, low operating costs, low energy consumption, high degree of automation, simple operation, convenient maintenance, small covering area and infrastructure investment, etc. The structure of counterflow flotation column is shown figure 1, the micro bubble generator injects gas into the column, and produces a large number of micro bubbles; Then the ore particles countercurrent contact with micro bubbles steadily and catch the hydrophobic mineral particles to produce froth concentrate; The height of the liquid level and thickness of the foam layer can be adjusted by level control system. The micro bubble generator can be replaced online and maintenance is convenient.
Figure 1.Counterflow flotation column
Cyclonic flotation column
The cyclonic flotation column consists of three parts: column flotation, cyclone separation and pipe flow mineralization. The equipment is located in the upper column, column flotation column, it adopts the principle of flotation countercurrent collision mineralization, to achieve separation of superfine material in low turbulence static separation environment; separation and flotation column is connected with the upper and lower structure, constitute the main column separation method; rotational flow separation by gravity separation density and in the cyclone field under the background of cyclone flotation. Swirl flotation not only provides an efficient way of mineralization, but also makes the lower limit of flotation size greatly reduced, and the flotation speed is greatly improved. In the process of column separation, the swirling flow separation can be used for the separation of the column. Using the principle of jet pipe flow mineralization, crushed into bubble by introducing gas and gas liquid solid three-phase circulating system, middlings formed in the pipe flow and realize high turbulence mineralization. The pipe flow and connected to the mineralization separation along the cut, forming a loop separation middlings. The working principle of cyclonic flotation column is described in Figure 2. The structure of the column is shown in figure 3.
Figure 2. working principle of Cyclonic flotation column
Figure 3.structure of Cyclonic flotation column
1. Double overflow; 2. bubble collecting tank; 3. cycle middling distribution ring; 4. sieve packing; 5. separation unit; 6. air volume control valve 7.; filling 8. inflated corrugated pipe connection; 9. bubble generator overhaul three; 10. bubble generator; 11. mixed mineralization tube; 12. cycle mid ore outlet ;13. tailings outlet
Specification of flotation column
1.New type of micro bubble generator can produce small and uniform bubbles ,which is beneficial to collect fine particles.
2.The foam layer thickness is adjustable, and the enrichment ratio is far higher than that of flotation machine.
3.Static separation environment can reduce the probability of particle’s falling off.
4.Compared with tradition flotation machine, flotation column can save power more than 30%.
5.Compared with self-absorbing flotation column, the pneumatic flotation column operates with lower energy consumption and less wearing.
6.The spraying micro bubble generator is not easy to be blocked and prevent the reverse flow of slurry.
7.The tailings valve is made of special materials, long service life.
8.The video monitoring system can be adjusted according to the operation condition timely.
9.Flotation column parameters can be controlled by computer, which greatly reduce the labor intensity.
Flotation column adopting the micro bubble generator injects gas into the column, and produces a large number of micro bubbles; then the ore particles counter current contact with micro bubbles steadily and catch the hydrophobic mineral particles to produce froth concentrate. The height of the liquid level and thickness of the foam layer can be adjusted by level control system. The micro bubble generator can be replaced online and maintenance is convenient.