Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

Froth Flotation (Sulphide & Oxide)

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Recommended flotation agitator RPM (2 replies)

B
Bubbles
7 years ago
Bubbles 7 years ago

To increase the recovery in a flotation process is the stirring speed of the cell important? What is a good recommended speed RPM for the agitators? Does agitator rpm affect flotation recovery?

Some say there is no optimum speed that fits all, but the optimum hydrodynamic conditions depend on the ore type, particle size, etc. Why is my recovery low? 

h
Hafed
7 years ago
Hafed 7 years ago

To increase recovery, there is multiple parameters such as: set up air, rise reagents quantity, decrease froth level.

In addition, Agitator rpm affect the size of the bubble produced. Consequently, they affect the flotation recovery.

There is no optimum speed that fits all, it depends on the ore type, particle size. You can determine it by test in laboratory.

For your recovery, try with parameters above ( air..reagents), unless you should check your grinding circuit and be sure that your mineral is liberated. check if your cyclone works well.

Bob Mathias
7 years ago
Bob Mathias 7 years ago

Most modern mechanical flotation cells run typically somewhere between 4 m/s to 8 m/s tip speed on their rotors. Flotation machine manufacturers generally have a design speed that is somewhere in this range. This is a safe place for the cell to run and it won't necessarily be the optimum for recovery.

The optimum speed depends on many things in your operation such as the ore type, particle size, pulp density, motor size, wear rate etc. Therefore, speeding up your flotation cell rotor may not necessarily increase recovery.

After a lot of testing looking at rotor speed as a parameter. The best way is to use a variable speed drive which lets you to rapidly change speed and identify the optimum speed for recovery and the optimum economic speed for the plant.

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