Froth flotation apparatus with water recovery and method

Apparatus for separation of minerals from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles by froth flotation comprising:

• an upstanding flotation compartment adapted to contain a relatively quiescent body of aqueous pulp,
• feed means for introducing aqueous pulp into said floations compartment,
• froth-collecting means disposed adjacent to the upper end of said flotation compartment for collecting a float fraction of said aqueous pulp, aeration means for applying aerated water to said flotation compartment near the bottom whereby bubbles of air are introduced throughout substantially the entire cross-section of said flotation compartment,
• tailing-discharge means for discharging an aqueous non-float fraction of unfloated particles of said aqueous pulp from said flotation compartment, water-collecting means for receiving water from said aeration means, means for inhibiting passage of non-float fraction from said flotation compartment to said water-collecting means, pump means for pumping water from said water-collecting means back to said aeration means, whereby the water that is collected is recirculated and aerated for application to said flotation compartment, water supply means for replenishing water to said flotation compartment in an amount corresponding to the amount of water discharged therefrom, said water-collecting means including a water compartment beneath and communicating with said aeration means, and said tailing-discharge means including a duct communicating with said flotation compartment above said aeration means and bypassing said water compartment, said water replenishing means further including a reservoir and a hydraulic line leading thereto from said water compartment, said reservoir having an outlet, and said pump means being connected between said outlet and said aeration means.

Apparatus for separation of minerals from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles by froth flotation comprising:

• an upstanding flotation compartment adapted to contain a relatively quiescent body of aqueous pulp,
• feed means for introducing aqueous pulp into said flotation compartment,
• froth-collecting means disposed adjacent to the upper end of said flotation compartment for collecting a float fraction of said aqueous pulp, hydraulic means for applying water to said flotation compartment near the bottom thereof, aeration means for applying aerated water to said flotation compartment near the bottom whereby bubbles of air are introduced throughout substantially the entire cross-section thereof,
• tailing-discharge means for discharging an aqueous non-float fraction of unfloated particles of said aqueous pulp past said aeration means and hydraulic means, and means for adjusting the balance of water and aerated water volumes applied by said hydraulic and aeration means.

Apparatus for separation of minerals from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles by froth flotation comprising:

• an upstanding flotation compartment adapted to contain a relatively quiescent body of aqueous pulp,
• feeding means for introducing aqueous pulp into said flotation compartment,
• froth-collecting means disposed adjacent to the upper end of said flotation compartment for collecting a float fraction of said aqueous pulp, aeration means for applying aerated water to said flotation compartment near the bottom whereby bubbles of air are introduced throughout substantially the entire cross-section thereof,
• tailing-discharge means for discharging an aqueous non-float fraction of unfloated particles of said aqueous pulp past said aeration means, means for collecting water from said flotation compartment at a location beneath said aeration means and recirculating it back to said flotation compartment, and means supplying non-aerated water to said aeration means and to the bottom portion of said flotation compartment for inhibiting the gravitating passage therethrough and to said water-collecting means of aqueous non-float fraction.