Flotation machine
AssigneeOutokumpu Oy
InventorsJouko O. Kallioinen, Pertti V. O. Koivistoinen, Seppo O. Rantanen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a flotation machine for flotating minerals and the like from slurries containing these particles. In the flotation machine of the invention, above the feed opening (15) of the flotation cell there is formed a froth bed (11) which is adjustable in volume and/or surface area. The regulating and washing members (10, 13) of the froth bed are arranged within the froth bed (11), and the height of the froth bed is 20-40%, advantageously 30-35% of the height of the flotation cell (1).
Claims15
A flotation machine for removing mineral particles or the like from a slurry containing such particles, comprising:
- wall means defining a flotation cell, a feed opening for introducing slurry into the cell and an overflow lip above the feed opening for discharging froth from the cell,
- a mixing mechanism comprising a stator and a rotor located inside the cell and beneath the feed opening, and actuator means for driving the rotor,
- air supply means for supplying air to the mixing mechanism and forming a froth bed in the flotation cell between the top of the feed opening and the overflow lip when slurry is present in the cell,
- a regulating means located in said cell for regulating the volume and/or surface area of the froth bed, which said regulating means comprises a regulating member that extends over at least the vertical range between the top of the feed opening and overflow lip and is shaped so that the horizontal sectional area of the volume defined between the regulating member and said wall means decreases in an upward direction over said vertical range, and
- wash means for supplying wash liquid for washing the froth bed, the wash means defining multiple nozzles within said vertical range.
A method of operating a flotation machine including a flotation cell having a feed opening for introducing slurry into the cell and an overflow lip for discharging froth from the cell, and also including a mixing mechanism comprising a stator and a rotor inside the cell, said method comprising:
- introducing slurry into the cell, driving the rotor to rotate inside the cell and supplying air to the mixing mechanism, under conditions to form a froth bed in the flotation cell between the top of the feed opening and the discharge lip,
- bounding the volume occupied by the froth bed such that the horizontal sectional area of the froth bed decreases in an upward direction over the vertical range between the top of the feed opening and the overflow lip, and
- introducing wash liquid into the flotation cell for washing the froth bed, the wash liquid being introduced at a position inside the volume occupied by the froth bed.
A method of operating a flotation machine including wall means defining a flotation cell having a feed opening for introducing slurry into the cell and an overflow lip above the feed opening for discharging froth from the cell, a mixing mechanism means located within a region beneath the feed opening for agitating slurry in said region, air supply means for supplying air to said region, and a regulating means located in said cell, said regulating means comprising a regulating member which extends over at least the vertical range between the top of the feed opening and the overflow lip and which is shaped so that the horizontal sectional area of the volume defined between the regulating member and the wall means decreases in an upward direction over the vertical range between the top of the feed opening and the overflow lip, said method comprising:
- introducing slurry into the cell by way of the feed opening,
- agitating the slurry in the cell in said region beneath the feed opening and supplying air to said region beneath the feed opening, under conditions to form a froth bed in the flotation cell between the top of the feed opening and the overflow lip, and
- adjusting the vertical position of the regulating member in dependence upon the volume and/or surface area of the froth bed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.