Method for converting a naturally-aspirated flotation cell to a forced-gas flotation cell, and apparatus thereof

A method of converting a naturally-aspirated flotation cell (10) to a forced-gas flotation cell comprising the steps of:

• providing a drive assembly (30) for a naturally-aspirated flotation cell (10), the drive assembly (30) having a naturally-aspirated flotation cell reducer (21), and a lower shaft (16) attached to or at least configured to attach to a naturally-aspirated flotation cell rotor (15);
• the lower shaft (16) being configured to position the naturally-aspirated flotation cell rotor (15) in a central portion of a tank (1) of the naturally-aspirated flotation cell (10);
• CHARACTERISED IN THAT the method further comprises the steps of:
• keeping the naturally-aspirated flotation cell reducer (21) with the provided drive assembly (30), thereby avoiding replacement of the naturally-aspirated flotation cell reducer (21) with a specialized conversion reducer (103);
• removing the lower shaft (16) from the drive assembly (30);
• providing an adapter (200) for the drive assembly (30), the adapter (200) comprising:
• an outer static casing (201) having a forced gas inlet (210);
• an inner rotating spanner (204) having at least one port (205) therein;
• sealing means (203, 224, 225, 226) provided between the static casing (201) and the spanner (204);
• and,
• a chamber (213) formed between the outer static casing (201) and the spanner (204);
• and,
• connecting the adapter (200) to the drive assembly (30) to form a forced- gas drive assembly (230).