Tipos de máquinas de flotación

A máquina de flotación is the abbreviation of floating concentrator, referring to the flotation process equipment. The flotation machine is essential equipment in mineral processing, designed to separate valuable minerals from gangue through froth flotation. Here, we examine the three primary types: mechanical agitation, aerated agitation, and inflatable (column) flotation machines, highlighting their working principles and key characteristics.

Primary Types of Flotation Machines

The aeration and agitation of the slurry are completed by the impeller and mechanical agitation device of the flotation machine. It belongs to the external gas self-priming flotation machine, generally the upper gas suction type, that is, air is inhaled near the mechanical stirring device in the lower part of the flotation tank.

This kind of flotation machine can not only self-prime air, but also self-prime slurry. It is easy to realize self-flow when returning the ore middlings, has less auxiliary equipment, neat equipment configuration, simple operation and maintenance, etc. But this type of machine has small inflation and high power consumption.

In summary, the mechanical agitating flotation machines are the most widely used flotation machine among all types.

As the impeller rotates, the slurry in the tank is sucked from the bottom of the tank through the lower end of the impeller to the impeller vane. At the same time, the low-pressure air fed by the blower enters the air distributor through the hollow shaft and the impeller.
Después de que los purines y el aire se hayan mezclado a fondo entre los impulsores, son empujados oblicuamente hacia fuera desde la periferia de la mitad superior del impulsor, y el estator se estabiliza y orienta para entrar en toda la cubeta.
The bubble rises to the foam stabilization zone. After the enrichment process, the foam overflows from the overflow weir and enters the foam tank. A part of the slurry flows to the lower part of the impeller, and then is stirred by the impeller to remix to form mineralized bubbles, and the remaining slurry flows to the next trough until it eventually becomes tailings.

Ventajas

• Strong stirring force can ensure the suspension of mineral particles with large density and large particle size, and can promote the dispersion and emulsification of insoluble chemicals.
• For the complex process of sorting polymetallic ore, self-priming can rely on the suction of the impeller to achieve the return of the mine, eliminating the need for a large sand pump.
• When it is difficult to select and complex ore or hope to obtain a high-grade concentrate, it can guarantee a better stability index.
• The moving parts have high speed, high energy consumption, serious wear, and large maintenance.

Desventajas

• A large amount of inflation is easy to adjust, which is beneficial to increase production and adjust the process.
• The stirring does not work, so the speed is low, the wear is small, the energy consumption is low, and the maintenance is small.
• The liquid level is stable, the mineral mud is less, and the sorting index is good, but the gas pressure system and pipeline are needed.

El dispositivo de agitación de la máquina de flotación por agitación aireada sólo funciona para agitar el lodo y distribuir el flujo de aire. El aire se introduce principalmente en el lodo mediante un ventilador externo, y la aireación y la agitación están separadas.

El aire es suministrado por el soplador externo, y la cantidad de inflado puede ajustarse mediante la válvula en función de las necesidades de la flotación.
Dado que el impulsor sólo actúa como fuerza de agitación, la velocidad de rotación es baja, la agitación no es fuerte, y la flotación de minerales frágiles no es fácil de producir lodo. La superficie del lodo es relativamente estable, y es fácil formar una capa de espuma estable, lo que favorece la mejora del índice de selección.
The impeller rotates at a low speed, the slurry flows by gravity, the unit consumes less electricity, the service life is longer, and the equipment maintenance cost is also low.

Such flotation machines are CHF-X type, XJC type, BS-C type, KYF type, BS-K type, LCH-X type, CLF type, and the like.

When the impeller rotates, the slurry in the tank is sucked into the impeller blade from the bottom of the tank through the bottom of the tank from the lower end of the impeller. At the same time, the low-pressure air fed by the blower enters the impeller chamber through the air duct, the air regulating valve, and the hollow main shaft, and the slurry and air are in the impeller blade. After being thoroughly mixed, it is discharged from the periphery of the upper half of the impeller, and the discharged ore flow moves obliquely upward. After being stabilized and oriented by the stator installed obliquely above the impeller, it enters the entire trough.

Las burbujas mineralizadas suben a la superficie de la artesa para formar una espuma. La espuma fluye hacia el depósito de espuma, el lodo se devuelve a la zona del impulsor para su reciclado y la otra parte se vuelve a seleccionar a través de los orificios de flujo de la pared entre ranuras.

The gas required for flotation of the aerated mechanical agitation flotation machine is mainly forcibly fed by an external force (blower), which is characterized by a large adjustment range of the inflation amount and accurate adjustable size, which is particularly suitable for a large amount of inflation. The flotation of minerals with the large-scale flotation machine consumes less total power than self-inhalation, making it easy to optimize the design and operation.

Ventajas

• DC tank design, the pulp passing capacity is large, and the flotation speed is fast;
• The centrifugal blower (pressure is 0.245kg/cm2) is used for gas supply, and the amount is adjusted within a certain range according to the process requirements;
• Small footprint, lightweight per unit volume;
• The ore particles are suspended in the tank, which reduces the deposition and stratification of coarse particles in the tank, and can increase the upper limit of the floatable particle level;
• The impeller is only used to recycle the slurry and the dispersed air. The impeller of the deep tank flotation machine can still work at low speed, so the spare parts wear and energy consumption is low, the energy consumption is low, and the mineral liquid surface is relatively stable. Conducive to the enlargement of equipment and increasing production capacity;
• The axial and radial clearance between the impeller and the cover is larger than that of the A-type flotation machine, and it is easy to install and adjust;
• The drug and energy consumption were significantly reduced, and the selection index was improved.

Desventajas
The disadvantage of this type of flotation machine is that the foam (middle mine) cannot be returned, and a foam pump (which can also be provided by a suction tank) is required. And the configuration can not be in the same plane, requiring a stepped configuration. This machine is suitable for rough and scavenging operations of large and medium-sized flotation plants.

The flotation column has the advantages of a simple structure and easy manufacture. The disadvantage is that there is no agitator, and the flotation effect will be affected to some extent. The aerator is prone to forming calcium, which is not conducive to air dispersion.
With the re-emergence and successful application of foreign flotation column technology, China has developed several flotation columns for industrial production. The flotation column is suitable for the rough selection and scavenging operations of the easy-to-select ore, which is composed of simpler and higher grades.

Inflatable flotation machines use a vertical circulation of slurry and sufficient low pressure air to increase the efficiency of the selection. The vertical circulation of the slurry in the flotation tank produces an upflow, which eliminates the occurrence of stratification and grit in the flotation machine, increases the possibility of sorting coarse and heavy minerals, and helps the ore and bubbles collide.

Cuando el impulsor gira, los purines de la cámara del impulsor se mezclan con el aire y luego se expulsan, de modo que la superficie posterior de la pala del impulsor se convierte en una zona de presión negativa, y los purines circulantes entran en la zona de presión negativa a través del orificio anular entre el cilindro circular y la campana.

The low-pressure air enters the impeller chamber sealed by the circulating slurry, which promotes the thorough mixing of the air and the slurry in the impeller chamber. The mixture is smashed on the cover blade by the centrifugal force generated by the rotating impeller and further disperses and disperses the air bubbles. In the slurry, under the action of the vertical circulating upflow, the bottom of the entire trough is diffused upward, so that the foam is separated from the gangue mineral in the calm zone above the trough, and the useful mineral is selected into the foam product.

La acción de aireación de la máquina de flotación no consiste en aspirar aire hacia el interior del tanque mediante la zona de presión negativa generada por el impulsor giratorio, sino en suministrar aire a la cámara del impulsor a través del cilindro central mediante un soplador. La eficiencia de la aireación está relacionada principalmente con la cantidad de aireación y la cantidad de pulpa que circula a través del impulsor. La cantidad de aireación puede ajustarse según sea necesario, y la aireación máxima puede alcanzar 1,5~1,8 m3/(m2-min).

Debido a que esta máquina de flotación no necesita generar succión de presión negativa, la velocidad de su impulsor es baja. Por lo tanto, la potencia del motor puede ser pequeña, el consumo de energía se reduce, y el desgaste mecánico se reduce. Muchas grandes máquinas de flotación desarrolladas en el país y en el extranjero son del tipo de mezcla mecánica inflada.

Ventajas

• Simple structure, convenient manufacturing and maintenance, low investment and low operating cost;
• Creates suitable dynamic collision of bubbles and particles and static separation of bubbles and particles, which is conducive to fine-grain classification;
• Can introduce other force fields, strengthen sorting, foam thickness, bubble size, and quantity adjustment;
• The flotation speed is fast, the process is simplified (one operation is equivalent to the flotation machine several operations);
• Large enrichment ratio, high recovery rate, and large processing capacity, especially suitable for processing fine particle size and easy to control and enlarge.

Desventajas
The disadvantage of the flotation column is that the particles are difficult to suspend, y the probability of contact between the bubbles and the particles is small. In order to improve the recovery rate of the grade loss, it is generally used for rough selection and sweeping operations, and the self-flow configuration is complicated.
The bubble generator has an external and built-in method, and the bubble generator is easily fouled and inconvenient to replace in high-alkalinity slurry.

Flotation Machine For Sale

Looking for high-performance máquinas de flotación? We offer a wide range of models, including mechanical, aerated, and column flotation cells, suitable for various minerals like gold, copper, lead, zinc, and coal.

Available Models & Features

Mechanical Agitation Flotation Machines
Models:  XJK, SF, and JJF series
Capacity: 0.5–300 m³ per cell
Applications: Bulk flotation, roughing/scavenging

Aerated Agitation Flotation Machines
Models:  KYF, XCF, and CLF series
Capacity: 5–200 m³ per cell
Key Benefits: Lower power consumption, precise air control

Flotation Columns (Inflatable Type)
Capacity: 5–500 m³ per unit
Key Benefits: High recovery for fine particles, modular design