Coarse particle separation by fluidized-bed flotation: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Since comminution within mineral beneficiation plants is the most energy consumer unit, the effective separation of coarse particles has generated considerable interest in the ore processing industry. Due to the inherent challenges faced with floating coarse particles using conventional flotation cells (CFCs), a number of attempts were made to develop new technologies that could efficiently and cost-effectively treat them. Fluidized-bed flotation cells (FBFCs), as novel developments such attempts, have proven a higher potential than CFCs for processing coarse particles. HydroFloat, NovaCell, and Reflux Flotation Cell are three main developed FBFCs for processing coarse particles. The quiescent nature and other characteristics of FBFCs allow for longer retention time, reduced particle buoyancy constraints, a near absence of coarse particle detachment from the bubble, and increased bubble-liquid segregation capacity, which leads to an excellent coarse particle recovery. These properties assist FBFCs in processing coarse particles environmentally friendly.