[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2025017245A1 - Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation - Google Patents

Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2025017245A1
WO2025017245A1 PCT/FI2024/050393 FI2024050393W WO2025017245A1 WO 2025017245 A1 WO2025017245 A1 WO 2025017245A1 FI 2024050393 W FI2024050393 W FI 2024050393W WO 2025017245 A1 WO2025017245 A1 WO 2025017245A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
area
tank
slurry
manifold
gasified fluid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/FI2024/050393
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marly De Avila Carvalho
Erik TOLLANDER
Cagri EMER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Metso Finland Oy
Original Assignee
Metso Finland Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FI20235824A external-priority patent/FI20235824A1/en
Application filed by Metso Finland Oy filed Critical Metso Finland Oy
Publication of WO2025017245A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025017245A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/24—Pneumatic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/1431—Dissolved air flotation machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/1443—Feed or discharge mechanisms for flotation tanks
    • B03D1/1462—Discharge mechanisms for the froth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/1493—Flotation machines with means for establishing a specified flow pattern
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/24—Pneumatic
    • B03D1/242—Nozzles for injecting gas into the flotation tank
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/24—Pneumatic
    • B03D1/247—Mixing gas and slurry in a device separate from the flotation tank, i.e. reactor-separator type

Definitions

  • This disclosure concerns mineral processing .
  • this disclosure concerns separation of minerals from their ores by flotation .
  • the energy consumption of comminution processes typically constitutes a significant part of overall energy consumption in mineral processing .
  • significant effort has been invested in reducing energy consumption of grinding .
  • This may generally be achieved by lowering the degree of liberation of ore , i . e . , by increasing the average si ze of ore particles prior to concentration .
  • Standard mechanical flotation cells are best suited for separation of particles within a si ze range of approximately 20 pm to 150 pm . Consequently, alternative solutions are required to increase the average particle size of ore beyond 150 pm .
  • Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a flotation cell for treating particles suspended in slurry and for separating the slurry into underflow and overflow .
  • the flotation cell may comprise a gasified fluid supply arrangement configured to distribute gasified fluid, for example aerated water, into a center area of a tank . The purpose may be to make the main gasification close to the crowder area of the process tank but may not be limited to that .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement comprises a manifold; and one or more tube distributors connected to the manifold, wherein the one or more tube distributors comprise one or more noz zles , wherein the manifold is arranged to distribute gasif ied fluid to the one or more tube distributors ; and the one or more noz zles are configured to inj ect the gasified fluid to at least one of the following : a feeding area, a crowder area, and/or a center area of the tank .
  • the feeding area, crowder area, and center area may be hori zontal areas of the tank .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement is aerated fluid supply arrangement , for example .
  • the one or more gas ified fluid generators are aerated fluid generators , for example .
  • the gasified fluid is aerated water, for example .
  • the gasified fluid may comprise gas bubbles and fluid, for example water and air bubbles .
  • the gasified fluid may comprise gas bubbles and slurry for example slurry and air bubbles .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise multiple , such as 12 tube distributors , or such as 120 tube distributors , or such as 300 tube distributors , or such as 720 tube distributors , for example .
  • the manifold may enable the multiple tube distributors to inject the gasified fluid from the center area, the feeding area, and/or crowder area of the process tank. It may also enable multiple, for example four, or 40, or 100, or 240, gasified fluid generators to inject the gasified fluid to the tube distributors.
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise one or more gasified fluid generators connected to the manifold.
  • the manifold may be arranged to distribute gasified fluid from the one or more gasified fluid generators to the one or more tube distributors.
  • the manifold is at least a connection point between at least one fluid generator and at least one tube distributor .
  • the manifold is a connector or a part of connection means between at least one gasified fluid generator and at least one tube distributor.
  • the manifold is a part of the connection means between the one gasified fluid generator and the one tube distributor .
  • the one or more nozzles may point downwards. When the one or more nozzles are pointing downwards it may prevent clogging of them.
  • the nozzles may be used to control at least one of the following: rate of flow, speed, direction, mass, shape, and/or pressure of the gasified fluid that emerges from them.
  • the one or more tube distributors may extend radially or parallel to each other from the manifold . "Radially" means that the tube distributors may extend hori zontally from a center of a tank to a periphery or wal l area of the tank, or from the wall area or periphery area of the tank to the center of the tank .
  • the tube distributors may extend radially from the center of the tank towards a periphery area of the tank, when the mani fold i s located inside the tank in the center area . This may allow the tube distributors to feed the gasified fluid mainly from the center area of the tank but also some amounts from a middle area of the tank, and minor amounts from the periphery area of the tank .
  • the tube distributors may also extend radially from the wal l area or periphery area of the tank towards the center of the tank, when the manifold is located at the tank side or end wall .
  • the manifold may be located outside and around the tank wall .
  • the manifold may also be located inside the tank wall so that it may go around the inner side wall of the tank .
  • the manifold When the manifold is located at the side wall , it may allow the tube distributors to feed the gasified fluid mainly from the periphery or wall area of the tank but also some amounts from the middle area of the tank, and minor amounts from the center area of the tank .
  • the middle area is between the central area and the periphery area .
  • the one or more tube distributors may be arranged to one or more sections , wherein the amount of the tube distributors in each section may vary or may be the same .
  • length of the tube distributors in the one or more sections may vary or may be the same .
  • the length of the tube distributors in the one or more sections may be length of the at least one of the following : length of a first area, length of a second area, and/or length of a third area .
  • the length of the tube dis tributors in three sections covers the first area and in the rest of the sections the length of the tube distributors covers the three areas . This may allow the tube distributors to feed gasified fluid where it is needed .
  • two or more tube distributors may be arranged at equal distance from each other so that a distance between any two adj acent tube distributor is the same . This may allow the tube distributors to feed gasified fluid evenly all over the tank . When the tank has round shape , the tube distributors may feed gasified fluid 360 ° around the tank .
  • the two or more tube distributors may be arranged in one or more levels .
  • the two or more tube distributors may be arranged in two levels , for example . Arranging the tube distributors in different levels may improve feeding and distribution of the gasified fluid evenly .
  • height difference between two levels of the tube distributors is less than six times a diameter of the tube distributor . This may allow the gasif ied fluid to be fed to the tank in an optimi zed way to create a thick, for example 500 mm, calm froth layer in a low tank .
  • the height H to diameter D ratio H/D of the flotation tank may be lower than 2 .
  • the height is a combined height of a froth zone , mixed zone , and settling zone .
  • the manifold may comprise one or more manifold inlets arranged to connect the gasified fluid generators to the manifold; and one or more manifold outlets arranged to connect the tube distributors to the manifold .
  • the manifold outlets and inlets may allow different parts to be attached to the manifold .
  • the one or more manifold outlets may be arranged equally spaced side by s ide along the mani fold or circumferentially around the manifold so that a distance between any two adj acent manifold outlets may be the same .
  • This may allow the tube distributors to be attached circumferentially and equally around the manifold, which may allow them to feed aerated fluid and bubbles 360 ° around the tank and especially in the round center area of the tank .
  • the aerated fizid and bubbles may be di stributed 360 ° around the tank, but different flowrates along the length of the at least one tube distributor .
  • the tube distributors When the tube distributors may be attached side by side along the manifold it may allow them to feed aerated fluid and bubbles where it is mostly needed in the tank and especially in the feeding or crowder areas of the tank .
  • the aerated fluid and bubbles When the tube distributors may be attached side by side , the aerated fluid and bubbles may be distributed where it is needed with di fferent flowrates along the length of the at least one tube distributor .
  • the aerated fluid and bubbles may be distributed inside the tank with different f lowrates along the length of the one or more tube distributors .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise one or more connecting means located between the one or more gasified fluid generators and the manifold, wherein the one or more connecting means may be arranged to connect the one or more gasi fied fluid generators to the manifold .
  • the connecting means is at least one of the fol lowing : a tube , pipe , hose , and/or channel .
  • the connecting means may be arranged inside the tank and may be used to connect the gasif ied fluid generators and the manifold .
  • One or more gasified fluid inlets may connect the one or more gasified fluid generators to the one or more connecting means .
  • the connection means may also help to locate the manifold in the center of the tank .
  • the one or more noz zles may be configured to inj ect gasified fluid to at least one hori zontal first area of the tank, wherein the at least one f irst area may comprise at least one of the fol lowing : the feeding area, the crowder area, and/or the center area of the tank .
  • the gasified fluid may be concentrated more to the crowder and/or feeding area of the tank .
  • the gasified fluid may also be lightly distributed in a launder area or center area of the tank .
  • the tank may comprise the at least one horizontal first area, at least one hori zontal second area, and at least one hori zontal third area, wherein the at least one first area may compri se at least one of the fol lowing : the feeding area, the crowder area, and/or the center area of the tank; the at least one second area may be located between the first area and the third area ; and the at least one third area may comprise at least one of the following : a launder area, center area, and/or a wall area .
  • the two or more noz zles may be arranged in each of the tube distributors so that amount of the noz zles in the first area > amount of the noz zles in the second area > amount of the noz zles in the third area .
  • the first area, the second area, and the third area may be round areas around the center axis or rectangular areas between the launder and the crowder . Al so , other kind or areas may be formed .
  • the gasi fied fluid may be concentrated more near to the one or more of the crowders of the tank but also may be lightly distributed in the second or middle area, and near one or more launder areas of the tank . This may be pos sible by locating the noz zles and gasified fluid flow more to the crowder and/or feeding area of the tank .
  • the one or more noz z les may be arranged to distribute the gasified fluid so that gasified fluid first flow rate in the first area > gasified fluid second flow rate in the second area > gasified fluid periphery third flow rate in the third area .
  • This may allow most of the gasi fied fluid to be located in crowder and/or feeding area from where it may move upwards towards the froth layer . This may help the coarse particles to remain in the froth layer and not to descend down into the tank . This arrangement may lead to increased recovery of all hydrophobic particles , and especially larger particles .
  • superficial gas velocity inside the tank is taken as volume flow of gas / area of the froth, wherein first superficial gas velocity [ cm/s ] in the first area may be from 2 to 7 ; second superficial gas velocity in the second area may be from 1 to 5 ; and third superficial gas velocity in the third area may be from 0 to 3 .
  • Superficial gas velocity may be greater in the first area wherein more bubbles may be needed to move upwards towards the froth layer . This may help the coarse particles to adhere to the gas bubbles and increase recovery of larger particles .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may be arranged below a froth layer .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may be arranged below the froth layer .
  • the gasif ied fluid supply arrangement may be arranged above the settled underflow particle layer .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement When the gasified fluid supply arrangement is arranged below the froth layer it may allow gasified fluid to move efficiently towards the froth layer slurry allowing more coarse particles to attach to the gas bubbles .
  • the manifold may be arranged parallel to a side wall at the center of the tank or hori zontally outside the tank .
  • the manifold may be arranged vertically and parallel to a side wall at the center of the tank .
  • Arranging the gasi fied fluid supply arrangement in the center of the tank may allow the gasified fluid to flow out of the noz zles into the center of the tank .
  • Arranging the gasified fluid supply arrangement horizontally outside the tank may make manufacturing easier and may increase capacity .
  • the manifold may be arranged vertically inside or outside the tank, or hori zontally inside or outside the tank .
  • the one or more gasif ied fluid generators may be located outside the side wall of the tank .
  • Technical requirements may require locating the one or more gasified fluid generators outside the tank .
  • the one or more gasified fluid generators may be located inside the tank .
  • the flotation cell may be a gravity feeding flotation cell .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank at the froth layer .
  • gas for producing the gas bubbles for flotation may be added through gasified fluid generator in the main flotation tank .
  • the gas may be added in the main flotation tank wherefrom it raises up to the froth layer and may adhere to fine and/or coarse particles of the slurry .
  • the at least one feeding arrangement may be configured to feed slurry onto the froth layer, into the froth layer, into the froth slurry interface , or immediately below the froth layer .
  • Different methods and systems may be used to feed the slurry in the different parts of the froth layer .
  • the at least one feeding arrangement may be configured to feed slurry
  • the flotation cell may comprise at least one of the following : a crowder feeding arrangement , a crowder edge feeding arrangement , an outside crowder feeding arrangement , and/or an outside launder feeding arrangement .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank with at least one crowder feeding arrangement , which may feed the slurry inside the at least one crowder .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank with at least one crowder edge feeding arrangement , which may feed the slurry close to an edge of the at least one crowder and inside the crowder .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank with at least one outside crowder feeding arrangement , which may feed the slurry between the at least one crowder and at least one launder but closer to the at least one crowder .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank with at least one outside launder feeding arrangement , which may feed the s lurry between the at least one crowder and the at least one launder but closer to the at least one launder .
  • the flotation cell may further comprise one or more froth crowders arranged to direct froth towards a lip .
  • the crowder may be util i zed to direct or guide the upwards-flowing slurry and/or gasified fluid within the flotation tank closer to a froth overflow lip of a froth collection launder, thereby enabling or easing froth formation very close to the froth overflow lip, which may increase the collection of des irable ore particles .
  • the manifold may enable the multiple tube distributors to inj ect the gasified fluid from the at least center area of the process tank . It may also enable multiple gasified fluid generators to inj ect the gasified fluid to the tube distributors .
  • FIG . la schematically shows an example of a flotation cell with a gasified fluid supply arrangement
  • FIG . lb schematically shows an example of tube distributors of FIG . la seen from below,
  • FIG . lc schematically shows an example of a manifold and connecting means of FIG . la
  • FIG . 2a schematically shows another example of a flotation cell with two gasified fluid supply arrangements
  • FIG . 2b schematically shows an example of a cross section B-B of FIG . 2a seen from side ,
  • FIG . 3a schematically shows still another example of a flotation cell with a gasi fied fluid supply arrangement
  • FIG . 3b schematically shows an example of a cross section A-A of FIG . 3a seen from side ,
  • FIG . 3c schematically shows an example of a cross section of a flotation cell seen from above .
  • FIG . 4 shows an example method for treating particles suspended in slurry and for separating the slurry into underflow and overflow using a flotation cell .
  • any drawing of the aforementioned drawings may be not drawn to scale such that any element in said drawing may be drawn with inaccurate proportions with respect to other elements in said drawing in order to emphasi ze certain structural aspects of the embodiment of said drawing .
  • gasified fluid is distributed at least from a crowder area of a circular or rectangular tank .
  • the gasified fluid may be distributed to a tube distributor, so that the gasi fied fluid may be inj ected in the tube distributor close to the crowder area of the tank .
  • the gasified fluid may be fed to the tank in an optimi zed way, and it may create a thick, for example 500 mm, calm froth layer in a low tank .
  • the gasified fluid for example aerated water, may be concentrated more to the crowder area of the tank but it also may be lightly distributed in a middle and launder area of the tank .
  • FIG. 1 The figures are not drawn to proportion, and many of the components of the flotation cell 1000 are omitted for clarity .
  • the enclosed figures la, 2 , 3a , and 3b illustrate a flotation cell 1000 in some detail .
  • Figures lb, 1c, and 3c illustrate in a schematic manner embodiments of a gasified fluid supply arrangement .
  • a flotation cell 1000 according to an example embodiment of FIG . la is intended for treating mineral ore parti cles suspended in slurry 1214 and for separating the slurry 1214 into an underflow 1105 and an overflow 1003 , the overflow may comprise a concentrate of a desired mineral .
  • overflow herein is meant the part of the slurry collected into the launder of the f lotation cell and thus leaving the flotation cell .
  • Overflow may comprise froth, froth and s lurry, or in certain cases , only or for the largest part slurry .
  • overflow may be an accept flow containing the valuable material particles collected from the slurry .
  • the overflow may be a rej ect flow . This is the case in when the flotation arrangement , plant and/or method is utili zed in reverse flotation .
  • underflow herein is meant the fraction or part of the slurry which is not floated into the surface of the slurry in the flotation process .
  • the underflow may be a rej ect flow leaving a flotation cell via an outlet which typically is arranged in the lower part of the flotation cell .
  • the underflow may be an accept flow containing the valuable mineral particles . This is the case in when the flotation cell or flotation line is utili zed in reverse flotation .
  • the flotation cell 1000 comprises a tank 1100 for holding a slurry 1001 and a froth layer 1002 over the volume of slurry 1001 , wherein the feeding arrangement is configured to feed slurry 1214 .
  • the flotation cell may have a radially symmetrical cross-section .
  • the flotation cell 1000 may further comprise a gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 comprising a manifold 1701 , one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 connected to the manifold 1701 , and one or more tube distributors 1703 connected to the manifold 1701 , wherein the one or more tube distributors 1703 may comprise one or more noz zles 1704 .
  • the mani fold 1701 may be configured to distribute gasified fluid from the one or more gasi fied fluid generators 1702 to the one or more tube distributors 1703 , and the one or more noz zles 1704 may be configured to inj ect the gasified fluid to at least a first area Al of the tank 1100 .
  • the first area Al may comprise a feeding area F, a crowder area C, and/or a center area Z .
  • a first area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the hori zontal area from a crowder towards a launder and/or a tank side wall .
  • the first area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the crowder and the launder .
  • a center area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the hori zontal area from a center axis towards at least one launder, and/or a tank side wal l .
  • the center area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the at least one crowder or the central axis , and the side wall or the at least one launder .
  • a feeding area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the hori zontal area from at least one feeder or a feeding arrangement towards at least one launder and/or a tank side wall .
  • the feeding area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the at least one feeding arrangement and the at least one launder .
  • a crowder area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the hori zontal area from at least one crowder towards at least one launder and/or a tank s ide wall .
  • the crowder area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the at least one crowder and the at least one launder .
  • a launder area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the hori zontal area from at least one launder towards at least one crowder and/or feeder .
  • the launder area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the at least one launder and the at least one crowder .
  • a wall area may refer to an area which covers at least part of the wall area from a tank wall towards a center axis , at least one crowder, at least one launder and/or at least one feeder .
  • the wall area may be a cross-sectional area which may extend a distance between the tank wall and the central axis .
  • the tank comprises the at least one horizontal first area Al , at least one hori zontal second area A2 , and at least one hori zontal third area A3 .
  • the at least one f irst area Al may comprise at least one of the following : the feeding area F, the crowder area C, and/or the center area Z of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one second area A2 may be located between the first area Al and the third area A3 .
  • the at least one third area A3 may comprise at least one of the following : a launder area L, and/or a wall area W .
  • the tank may be divided in three round hori zontal areas : a first area Al around the center axis , a feeder area, and/or a crowder area .
  • a third, area A3 limited to a tank side wall 1108 , and a middle area A2 between the center area Al and the periphery area A3 .
  • a first area, second area, third area, center area, feeding area, and crowder area may be a circular or rectangular area in a flotation tank depending on the shape of the tank .
  • the crowder area In a round tank the crowder area is circular and respectively in a rectangular tank the crowder area is rectangular .
  • the tank is divided in three round hori zontal areas around a vertical center axis 1221 in a circular tank 1100 : a first area Al around the center axis 1221 , a feeding arrangement 10A, and/or a crowder 11109 .
  • a third, area A3 may be limited to a tank side wall 1108 or the launder 1101 .
  • a second area A2 may be located between the firs area Al and the third area A3 or periphery area of the tank 1100 .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 comprises a manifold 1701 , and one or more tube distributors 1703 connected to the manifold 1701 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may comprise one or more noz zles 1704 , wherein the manifold 1701 may be arranged to distribute gasified fluid to the one or more tube distributors 1703 .
  • the one or more noz zles 1704 may be configured to inj ect the gas ified fluid to at least a first area Al of the tank 1100 .
  • the first area Al comprises at least one of the following : a feeding area F, a crowder area C, and/or a center area Z of the tank .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 comprises one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 connected to the manifold 1701 .
  • the mani fold 1701 may be configured to distribute gas if ied fluid from the one or more gasif ied fluid generators 1702 to the one or more tube distributors 1703 .
  • fractionation may refer to separation of a mixture by adhering a substance in said mixture at an interface .
  • the flotation may be concentration method to separate ore from the gangue .
  • separation of a mixture may be based on differences in the hydrophobicity of substances in said mixture .
  • separation may refer to the extraction or removal of a substance from a mixture for use or re j ection .
  • froth flotation may refer to flotation, wherein froth is utili zed for separation .
  • froth may refer to a dispersion, comprising a greater portion by volume of gas ified fluid dispersed as gasified fluid in lesser portion by volume of a flotation liquid .
  • gasified fluid may general ly have an average diameter greater than or equal to 1 mm .
  • an average distance between neighboring gasified fluid in froth not stabili zed by solid particles may general ly be les s than or equal to some tens of micrometers , for example , less than or equal to 50 pm or 30 pm .
  • average distance between neighboring gasified fluid may be increased in proportion to the average si ze and quantity of said solid particles .
  • fractionation gas may refer to any gaseous substance suitable for use in flotation . Although in practical applications air is often used as a flotation gas , other types of gaseous substances may also be utili zed, as known to the skilled person .
  • flotation liquid may refer to any liquid substance or mixture suitable for use in f lotation .
  • water or aqueous solutions are often used as flotation liquids
  • other types of liquid substances may also be utili zed, as known to the skilled person .
  • a "cell” may refer to a device suitable for or configured to perform at least one specific process .
  • a “flotation cell” may then refer to a cell suitable for or configured to subj ect material to flotation .
  • a cell may generally comprise one or more parts , and each of the one or more parts may be classified as belonging to an arrangement .
  • a flotation cel l meant for treating mineral ore parti cles suspended in slurry by flotation .
  • valuable metal-containing ore particles may be recovered from ore particles suspended in slurry .
  • flotation line herein is meant a flotation arrangement where a number of flotation cells may be arranged in fluid connection with each other so that the underflow of each preceding flotation cell may be directed to the following or subsequent flotation cell as infeed until the last flotation cell of the flotation line , from which the underflow may be directed out of the line as tailings or rej ect flow .
  • Slurry may be fed through a feed inlet or slurry feeding arrangement to the first flotation cell of the flotation line for initiating the flotation process .
  • a flotation line may be a part of a larger flotation plant or arrangement containing one or more flotation lines . Therefore , a number of different pre-treatment and posttreatment devices or stages may be in operational connection with the components of the flotation arrangement , as is known to the person skilled in the art .
  • the flotation cells in a f lotation l ine may be fluidly connected to each other .
  • the fluid connection may be achieved by different lengths of conduits such as pipes or tubes , which may also comprise pumps or regrinding units , the length of the conduit depending on the overall physical construction of the flotation arrangement .
  • conduits such as pipes or tubes , which may also comprise pumps or regrinding units , the length of the conduit depending on the overall physical construction of the flotation arrangement .
  • pumps or grinding/regrinding units may also be arranged .
  • the flotation cells may be arranged in direct cell connection with each other .
  • direct cel l connection herein is meant an arrangement , whereby the outer walls of any two subsequent flotation cells are connected to each other to allow an outlet of a first flotation cell to be connected to the inlet of the subsequent flotation cell without any separate conduit .
  • a direct contact may reduce the need for piping between two adj acent flotation cells . Thus , it may reduce the need for components during construction of the flotation line , speeding up the process . Further, it might reduce sanding and simplify maintenance of the flotation line .
  • the fluid connections between flotation cells may comprise various regulation mechanisms .
  • neighborebouring By “neighbouring”, “adj acent” , or “adj oining” flotation cell herein is meant the flotation cell immediately following or preceding any one flotation cell , either downstream or upstream, or either in a rougher flotation line , in a scavenger flotation line , or the relationship between a flotation cell of a rougher flotation line and a flotation cell of a scavenger flotation line into which the underflow from the flotation cell of the rougher flotation line may be directed .
  • a flotation cell is herein meant a tank or vessel in which a step of a flotation process may be performed .
  • a flotation cell may typically be cylindrical in shape , the shape defined by an outer wall or outer wall s .
  • the flotation cells regularly may have a circular crosssection .
  • the flotation cells may have a polygonal , such as rectangular, square , triangular, hexagonal , or pentagonal , or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section, as well .
  • the flotation cells may have a radially unsymmetrical cross-section, as well .
  • the number of flotation cells may vary according to a specific flotation line and/or operation for treating a specific type and/or grade of ore , as is known to a person skilled in the art .
  • the f lotation cel l may be a froth flotation cell , such as a mechanically agitated cell , for example a TankCell , a column flotation cell , a Jameson cell , or a dual flotation cell .
  • the cell may comprise at least two separate vessels , a first mechanically agitated pressure vessel with a mixer and a gasified fluid input , and a second ves sel with a tailings output and an overflow froth discharge , arranged to receive the agitated slurry from the first vessel .
  • the flotation cell may also be a fluidi zed bed flotation cell (such as a HydroFloatTM cell ) , wherein air or other gasi fied fluid bubbles which are di spersed by the fluidization system percolate through the hindered-setting zone and attach to the hydrophobic component altering its density and rendering it sufficiently buoyant to float and be recovered .
  • a fluidi zed bed flotation cell axial mixing may not be needed .
  • the flotation cell may also be an overflow flotation cell operated with constant slurry overflow . In an overflow flotation cell , the slurry is treated by introducing gasified fluid bubbles into the slurry and by creating a continuous upwards flow of slurry in the vertical direction of the first flotation cell .
  • At least part of the valuable metal containing ore particles may be adhered to the gas bubbles and ri se upwards by buoyancy, at least part of the valuable metal containing ore particles may be ad- hered to the gas bubbles and rise upwards with the continuous upwards flow of slurry, and at least part of the valuable metal containing ore particles may rise upwards with the continuous upwards flow of slurry .
  • the valuable metal containing ore particles may be recovered by conducting the continuous upwards flow of slurry out of the at least one overflow flotation cell as slurry overflow .
  • overf low cel l may be operated with virtual ly no froth depth or froth layer, effectively no froth zone may be formed on the surface of the slurry at the top part of the flotation cel l .
  • the froth may be non-con- tinuous over the cell . The outcome of this may be that more valuable mineral containing ore particles may be entrained into the concentrate stream, and the overall recovery of valuable material may be increased .
  • All of the flotation cells of a flotation line may be of a single type , that is , rougher flotation cells in the rougher part , scavenger flotation cells in the scavenger part , and scavenger cleaner flotation cells of the scavenger cleaner flotation line may be of one single flotation cell type so that the flotation arrangement comprises only one type of flotation cells as listed above .
  • a number of flotation cells may be of one type while other cells are of one or more type so that the flotation line comprises two or more types of flotation cells as listed above .
  • the flotation cell may comprise a mixer for agitating the slurry to keep it in suspension .
  • a mixer is herein meant any suitable means for agitating slurry within the flotation cell .
  • the mixer may be a mechanical agitator .
  • the mechanical agitator may comprise a rotor-stator with a motor and a drive shaft , the rotor-stator construction arranged at the bottom part of the flotation cell .
  • the cell may have auxiliary agitators arranged higher up in the vertical direction of the cel l , to ensure a sufficiently strong and continuous upwards flow of the slurry .
  • An "arrangement" of a cell configured to perform a process may refer to a set of parts of said cell suitable for or configured to perform at least one specific subprocess of said process .
  • a "cell comprising an arrangement” may refer to said cell comprising parts belonging to said arrangement .
  • an arrangement for a cell may refer to a set of parts suitable for or configured to perform at least one specific subprocess .
  • an arrangement for a cell may or may not form a part of said cell .
  • Any arrangement may comprise any part ( s ) , for example , mechanical , electrical , pneumatic, and/or hydraulic part ( s ) , necessary and/or beneficial for performing its specific subprocess .
  • a "part” may refer to an element or obj ect , which is or may be assembled with one or more other elements or obj ects to form a device , an arrangement , or a cell .
  • One or more gasif ied fluid inlets 1106 may connect the one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 to the one or more connecting means 1705 .
  • slurry may refer to a dispersion, comprising solid particles suspended in a continuous phase of flotation liquid .
  • a “slurry feeding arrangement” may refer to an arrangement of parts of a flotation cell or for said flotation cell suitable for or configured to feed slurry into a tank of said flotation cell .
  • a slurry feeding arrangement may be suitable for or configured to feed slurry to a froth layer situated over a slurry in a tank of a flotation cell .
  • slurry being "fed to a froth layer” may refer to feeding said slurry onto , and/or into , and/or immediately below, e . g . , at most two times the froth depth, or at most the froth depth, or at most 1 /2 of the froth depth, or at most 1 /5 of the froth depth, or at most 1 / 10 of the froth depth below, the surface of said froth layer, and/or into froth slurry interface .
  • slurry being fed to said froth layer may refer to feeding said slurry into a tank at said launder lip level and/or at a position at most the froth depth, or at most 1 /2 of the froth depth, or at most 1 /5 of the froth depth, or at most 1 / 10 of the froth depth, or at most 1 /50 of the froth depth below said launder lip level .
  • froth flotation wherein slurry is fed to a froth layer, may be referred to as "froth-interaction flotation" .
  • a "froth-interaction flotation cell” may then refer to a cell configured to or suitable for separation of material by froth-interaction flotation .
  • a "tank” may refer to a receptacle suitable for or configured to hold a fluid, for example , a liquid .
  • froth slurry interface may refer to a layer on top of the s lurry where gas hold-up percentage is between 10 -50 .
  • FIG . la may be used in so-called "standard flotation” , wherein valuable mineral ( s ) in slurry is collected as overf low and gangue is directed to underflow .
  • a flotation cell may be used in any suitable manner, for example , in standard flotation and/or in so-called “reverse flotation” , wherein valuable mineral ( s ) in slurry is directed to underflow and gangue is collected as overflow .
  • the flotation cell 1000 of the example embodiment of FIG . la may be configured for use in so-called "coarse flotation" , wherein slurry comprising a considerable amount of coarser solid particles is used as feed material for flotation .
  • a flotation cell may or may not be configured for use in coarse flotation .
  • the flotation cell 1000 comprises a tank 1100 .
  • a flotation cell may or may not comprise a tank .
  • the tank 1100 of the embodiment of FIG . la is configured to hold slurry 1001 and a froth layer 1002 over the slurry 1001 .
  • a tank may or may not be configured in such manner .
  • the flotation cell 1000 comprises a "gasified fluid supply arrangement" 1700 for supplying gasified fluid, for example aerated water, into the slurry 1001 .
  • Gasified fluid may comprise gas bubbles .
  • the gasified fluid may be aerated fluid .
  • the fluid may be water and/or the gas bubbles may be air bubbles .
  • a "gasified fluid supply arrangement” may refer to an arrangement of parts of a flotation cell suitable for or configured to supply gasified fluid into a tank of said flotation cell.
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise any part(s) suitable or necessary for supplying gasified fluid into a tank.
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise a gasified fluid generator, for example, one or more spargers, e.g., jetting and/or cavitation sparger (s) , and/or one or more static mixers.
  • a gasified fluid generator for example, one or more spargers, e.g., jetting and/or cavitation sparger (s) , and/or one or more static mixers.
  • the gasified fluid generator comprises jetting spargers, or cavitation spargers, or Venturi spargers.
  • Jetting spargers may be utilized for the direct introduction of microbubbles with a size range of 0,5 to 1,2 mm. Especially if microbubbles are introduced in or near the turbulence zone (mixed zone) , they may have higher probability of colliding with finer particles in the mixed zone, thus improving the transporting of those particles into the froth zone.
  • Cavitation spargers or Venturi spargers may be utilized to introduce water and air or other gasified fluid into the flotation cell. In these embodiments, air/gas or air/gas and water, respectively, will be introduced into the spargers to create gas bubbles, injected into the flotation cell. The gas bubbles may attach to the mineral ore particles and increase the overall recovery of valuable mineral.
  • air and water may be used as the gasified fluid 1301.
  • any suitable gas e.g., air, argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof, may be used.
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 of the embodiment of FIG. la is configured to supply gasified fluid 1301 into the slurry 1001 such that the froth layer 1002 is maintained over the slurry 1001 .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement may or may not be configured in such manner .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 of the example embodiment of FIG . la is configured to supply gasified fluid 1301 into the slurry 1001 below the froth layer 1002 .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement being configured in such manner may enable directing gasified fluid bubbles rising in a slurry onto an outer bottom surface of a lower part of a crowder, and/or increase the probability of recollection of valuable material containing particles into a froth layer following drop-off .
  • a gasified fluid supply arrangement may or may not be configured in such manner .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 of the example embodiment of FIG . la is configured to supply gasified fluid bubbles 1301 into the slurry 1001 below the froth layer by feeding gasified fluid bubbles into the slurry 1001 via one or more noz zles 1704 of one or more tube distributors 1703 .
  • the one or more noz zles 1704 may point downwards .
  • gasified fluid supply arrangement is configured to supply gasified fluid bubbles into a slurry below the froth crowder
  • said gasified fluid supply arrangement may be configured to supply said gasif ied fluid below said froth crowder in any suitable manner ( s ) , for example , by feeding gasified fluid into a slurry via noz zles .
  • the one or more noz zles 1704 are pointing downwards . Downwards means towards a bottom of the flotation cell 1100 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 extend radially or parallel to each other from the manifold 1701 .
  • the two or more tube distributors 1703 are arranged at equal distance from each other so that a di stance between any two adj acent tube distributor 1703 is the same .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may have length or may reach from the manifold 1701 to the side wall 1108 of the tank 1100 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may have different lengths .
  • the two or more tube distributors 1703 are arranged in one or more levels . This means that one or more tube di stributors 1703 may be located above each other in vertical direction .
  • the two or more tube distributors 1703 may be arranged in two or more levels .
  • height difference between two levels of the tube distributors is less than six times a diameter of the tube distributor 1703 .
  • FIG . lb shows a tank 1100 seen below a manifold 1701 and tube distributors 1703 .
  • the tank may be divided in three round areas around a vertical center axis 1221 : a first hori zontal area Al or center area Z around the center axi s 1221 , a third area A3 or a periphery area limited to a tank side wall 1108 or launder 1101 , and a second hori zontal area A2 or middle area between the first area Al and the third area A3.
  • the first area Al, second area A2 , and third area A3 all cover 1/3 of a cross-sectional area between crowder 1109 and tank side wall 1108.
  • the first area Al, second area A2, and third area A3 all cover equally wide segments (1/3) of a horizontal cross- sectional area between crowder 1109 and tank side wall 1108.
  • the two or more nozzles 1704 may be arranged in each of the tube distributors 1703 so that amount of the nozzles in the in the first area Al > amount of the nozzles in the second area A2 > amount of the nozzles in the third area A3. This means that more nozzles 1704 may be located in the first area Al than in the second area A2 and/or third area A3.
  • the one or more nozzles may be arranged to point towards a bottom of the tank 1100.
  • a center axis may refer to an imaginary line.
  • a center axis may or may not extend through one or more center points, such as a center of mass and/or a centroid, of a tank. Additionally, or alternatively, a center axis may or may not extend along a symmetry axis and/or a symmetry plane of a tank. The center axis may be a vertical line.
  • the one or more nozzles 1704 are arranged to distribute the gasified fluid so that gasified fluid first flow rate FR1 in the first area Al > gasified fluid second flow rate FR2 in the second area A2 > gasified fluid third flow rate FR3 in the third area A3.
  • superficial gas velocity JG inside the tank 1100 is volume flow of gas / area of the froth, wherein first superficial gas velocity JG1 in the first area Al is from 2 to 7 [ cm/s ] , second superficial gas velocity JG2 in the second area A2 is from 1 to 5 [ cm/s ] , and third superficial gas velocity JG3 in the third area A3 is from 0 to 3 [ cm/s ] .
  • the superficial gas velocity JG1 in the first area Al is different from the second superficial gas velocity JG2 in the second area A2 , which is different from the third superficial gas velocity JG3 in the third area A3 .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 is arranged below the froth layer 1002 .
  • the tank 1100 may be divided to a froth zone 1800 , a mixed zone 1801 , and a settling zone 1802 .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 may be arranged below the froth layer 1002 and above a settling zone 1802 .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 may be located in the mixed zone 1801 .
  • the froth zone 1800 may be about 1-25 % from the height of the settling zone 1802 .
  • desirable minerals may be adhered to bubbles and may be transported to a launder lip .
  • Coarse particles may be adhered to froth or gas in the froth zone 1800 .
  • the froth zone may comprise froth and slurry . Height of the cell 1000 may be measured from the bottom of the cell- to-cell lip .
  • a mixed zone is meant herein a vertical part or section of the flotation tank in which active mixing of particles suspended in slurry with gasified fluid bubbles may takes place .
  • the mixed zone may comprise gas bubbles , slurry, and fluid .
  • the mixed zone may be below the froth zone .
  • fine particles may still be recovered but coarse particles cannot be recovered .
  • Gangue minerals may fall towards the settling zone .
  • a settling zone i meant a vertical part of section of the flotation tank in which particles not associated with gasified fluid bubbles or otherwise not able to ri se towards the froth zone or may not be able to stay in the froth zone on the top part of the flotation tank may descend and settle towards the tank bottom to be removed in the tailings as underflow .
  • the settling zone is below the mixed zone .
  • the settling zone may comprise slurry .
  • gangue minerals may be settled and transported to tailing or underflow 1105 .
  • the manifold 1701 is arranged paral lel to a side wall 1108 at the center of the tank 1100 .
  • the manifold 1701 is arranged vertically inside or outside the tank ( 1100 ) , or hori zontally inside or outside the tank 1100 .
  • the tube distributors 1703 are arranged perpendicular to a side wal l 1108 or hori zontally in the tank 1100 .
  • FIG 1c shows that the manifold 1701 comprises one or more manifold inlets 1706 arranged to connect the gasi fied fluid generators 1702 to the manifold 1701 by connecting means 1705 , and one or more manifold outlets 1707 arranged to connect the tube distributors 1703 to the manifold 1701 .
  • the one or more manifold outlets 1707 are arranged equally spaced side by side along the manifold 1701 or circumferentially around the manifold so that a distance between any two adj acent manifold outlet 1707 is the same .
  • Manifold inlets may al so be arranged above each other to form one or more levels .
  • the one or more manifold inlets 1706 are arranged vertically above each other .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 comprises one or more connecting means 1705 located between the one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 and the manifold 1701 , wherein the one or more connecting means 1705 are arranged to connect the one or more gasi fied fluid generators 1702 to the manifold 1701 .
  • the connecting means 1705 may be used to attach the manifold to the side wall 1108 of the tank . 1100 .
  • the one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 are located outside the tank 1100 .
  • the flotation cell 1000 is a gravity feeding flotation cell .
  • a gravity feeding f lotation cell By a gravity feeding f lotation cell is meant a system, wherein a slurry may be fed into a flotation tank at a froth layer . This means that the slurry may be fed on top of the froth, into the froth, into the froth slurry interface , or immediately below the froth .
  • the at least one feeding arrangement may be configured to feed slurry 1001 , wherein the flotation cell 1000 may compri se at least one of the fol lowing : a crowder feeding arrangement 10A, a crowder edge feeding arrangement 10B, an outside crowder feeding arrangement 10C, and/or an outside launder feeding arrangement 10D .
  • the slurry 1000 may be fed into the flotation tank 1100 with at least one crowder feeding arrangement 10A, which may feed the slurry 1001 inside the at least one crowder 1109 .
  • the slurry 1001 may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one crowder edge feeding arrangement 10B, which may feed the slurry 1001 close to an edge of the at least one crowder 1109 .
  • the s lurry may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one outside crowder feeding arrangement 10C, which may feed the slurry 1001 between the at least one crowder 1009 and at least one launder 1101 but closer to the at least one crowder 1009 .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one outside launder feeding arrangement 1101 , which may feed the slurry 1001 between the at least one crowder 1109 and the at least one launder 1101 but closer to the at least one launder 1101 .
  • the at least one slurry feeding arrangement 10A- 10D is configured to feed slurry 1214 onto the froth layer 1002 , into the froth layer 1002 , into the froth slurry interface , and/or immediately below a surface of the froth layer 1002 .
  • the at least one slurry feeding arrangement 10A- 10D may be configured to feed slurry 1214 to the froth layer 1002 .
  • the flotation cell 1000 is implemented as a froth-interaction flotation cell .
  • feeding slurry to a froth layer may increase recovery of coarser mineral particles in said slurry .
  • a slurry feeding arrangement may be suitable for or configured to feed coarse slurry to a froth layer .
  • the at least one slurry feeding arrangement 10A- 10D may be used to feed slurry onto a froth layer 1002 arranged over a slurry 1001 in said tank 1100 .
  • said slurry feeding arrangement 10A- 10D may be used to feed slurry 1214 immediately below the surface of a froth layer 1002 arranged over a slurry 1001 in said tank 1100 .
  • the flotation cell 1000 further comprises one or more froth crowders 1109 arranged to direct froth towards at least one launder 1101 .
  • a froth crowder herein is meant a froth blocker, a froth baffle , or a crowding board, or a crowding board device , or any other such structure or s ide structure , for example a sidewall , inclined or vertical , having a crowding effect , i . e . , a crowding sidewall , which can also be a crowding sidewall internal to the flotation tank, i . e . an internal perimeter crowder .
  • the area of froth on the surface of the slurry inside a flotation tank may be decreased in a robust and simple mechanical manner .
  • the overall overflow lip length in a froth flotation cell may be decreased .
  • the open froth surface between the froth overflow lips may be controlled .
  • the crowder may be utili zed to direct or guide the upwards-flowing slurry within the flotation tank closer to a froth overflow lip of a froth collection launder, thereby enabling or easing froth formation very close to the froth overflow lip, which may increase the collection of particles .
  • it may be possible to reduce the open froth surface in relation to the lip length, thereby improving the efficiency of recovery in the froth flotation cell .
  • the tank 1100 of the example embodiment of FIG . la comprises an underflow outlet 1104 for discharging underflow 1105 from the slurry 1001 .
  • coarse slurry may refer to slurry, comprising solid particles of larger diameters .
  • coarse slurry may refer to slurry, having a particle-si ze distribution with a percent passing less than 80 % at a sieve si ze of 4000 pm, or at a sieve size of 425 pm, or at a sieve si ze of 355 pm, or at a sieve si ze of 250 pm, or at a sieve si ze of 180 pm, or at a sieve si ze of 150 pm, or at a sieve si ze of 125 pm, or at a sieve size of 105 pm .
  • an "outlet" may refer to a means of discharge , e . g . , an opening or a through-hole , for a fluid .
  • an outlet may be arranged in a tank in any suitable manner, for example , at a side wall or at a bottom of a tank, or at an end of a pipe or other suitable conduit for passing fluid through a side wall or a bottom of a tank, or at an end of a pipe or other suitable conduit for passing fluid over a side wall of a tank .
  • a "coarse slurry outlet” may refer to an outlet configured to or suitable for passing coarse slurry out of a tank .
  • a coarse slurry outlet may additionally be configured to or suitable for passing any other suitable type ( s ) of slurry out of a tank .
  • a coarse slurry outlet is arranged at a lower section of a tank for collecting a flotation product from said tank .
  • the tank 1100 comprises a downwardly tapering bottom cone 1103 .
  • a tank comprising a bottom cone may reduce sanding in said tank .
  • a tank may or may not comprise such bottom cone .
  • a "bottom cone" of a tank may refer to a generally funnel-shaped and downwardly tapering bottom structure of said tank suitable for or configured to guide settled solid particles towards an outlet or an inlet .
  • the underflow outlet 1104 is arranged at the bottom of the bottom cone 1103 .
  • a tank comprising a bottom cone and a coarse slurry outlet at the bottom of said bottom cone may facilitate discharge of extremely coarse slurry out of said tank and/or reduce sanding in said tank .
  • a coarse slurry outlet may be arranged in any suitable manner, for example, at the bottom of a bottom cone .
  • a tank may comprise a flat bottom; a side wall , extending from said bottom; and a coarse slurry outlet arranged at said side wall .
  • the tank 1100 of the example embodiment of FIG . la comprises one or more gasified fluid inlets 1106 .
  • a tank may or may not comprise such gasified fluid inlet ( s ) .
  • an "inlet” may refer to a means of entry, e . g . , an opening or a through-hole , for a fluid .
  • an inlet may be arranged in a tank in any suitable manner, for example , at a side wall or at a bottom of a tank, or at an end of a pipe or other suitable conduit for passing fluid or gas through a side wall or a bottom of a tank, or at an end of a pipe or other suitable conduit for passing fluid over a side wall of a tank .
  • gasified fluid inlet may refer to an inlet configured to or suitable for pass ing gasified fluid into a manifold .
  • the one or more gasified fluid inlets 1106 of the example embodiment of FIG . la is arranged in any suitable manner, for example , such that said one or more gasified fluid inlets are arranged below a froth layer 1002 .
  • the tank 1100 of the example embodiment of FIG . la comprises a flotation liquid inlet 1107 .
  • a tank may or may not comprise such flotation liquid inlet .
  • a “flotation liquid inlet” may refer to an inlet configured to or suitable for passing flotation liquid into a tank .
  • the tank 1100 of the example embodiment of FIG . la comprises a launder 1101 , which comprises a launder lip 1102 .
  • the launder 1101 is configured to collect overflow 1003 from the froth layer 1002 .
  • a tank comprising a launder may facilitate collection of a flotation product from said tank .
  • a tank may comprise any suitable means , for example , a launder with a launder lip , for collecting a flotation product from an upper section of said tank .
  • a launder may refer to means arranged at an upper section of a tank for collecting a flotation product from said tank .
  • a launder comprises a launder lip .
  • a launder lip may refer to a part of a launder over which a flotation product is arranged to flow into said launder for collection .
  • a "froth depth” may refer to a thickness of a froth layer in a tank .
  • a froth depth may be measurable as a vertical distance between a launder lip and a surface of a slurry in a tank, when said tank is in use .
  • the flotation cell 1000 comprises a flotation liquid supply arrangement 1400 for supplying flotation liquid 1401 into the slurry 1001 .
  • a flotation cell may or may not comprise such flotation liquid supply arrangement .
  • a "flotation liquid supply arrangement” may refer to an arrangement of parts of a flotation cell configured to or suitable for supplying flotation liquid into a tank of a flotation cell from a source external to the flotation cell , e . g . , a process water cell or a body of water .
  • the flotation liquid supply arrangement 1400 of the embodiment of FIG . la is configured to supply flotation liquid 1401 into the slurry 1001 below the froth layer 1002 .
  • the gasified fluid arrangement 1700 is configured to convey slurry in the slurry 1001 towards the outer bottom surface 1228 of the froth crowder 1109 parallel to the center axis 1221 .
  • the outer bottom surface 1228 of the froth crowder 1109 is configured to divert gasified fluid and flotation liquid rising parallel to the center axis 1221 for forming a fluid stream 1202 surrounding the outer bottom surface 1228 and to guide the fluid stream 1202 then towards the launder lip 1102 .
  • an outer bottom surface of a froth crowder in such manner may facilitate maintaining a constant flow of slurry and froth towards a launder lip, which may, in turn, increase recovery of valuable material containing particles.
  • an outer bottom surface of a froth crowder may or may not be configured to divert gasified fluid and flotation liquid rising parallel to a center axis for forming a fluid stream surrounding said outer bottom surface and to guide said fluid stream towards a launder lip.
  • FIG. 2a shows a flotation cell 1000 which has similar functionality as the flotation cell 1000 in FIG. la.
  • FIG. 2b shows a cross section B- B of FIG. 2a seen from side.
  • the flotation cell 1000 of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b may have a circular cross-section or a polygonal, such as rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or pentagonal, or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section.
  • the flotation cell 1000 may have a radially unsymmetrical cross-section, as well.
  • the tank 1100 may have two side walls 1108 and two end walls. The side walls 1108 may be longer than the end walls, they may have similar length, or they may be shorter than the end walls.
  • the flotation cell 1000 may further comprise two or more gasified fluid supply arrangements 1700.
  • the two or more gasified fluid supply arrangements 1700 may be located at both side walls 1108/or end walls of the tank 1100. Thus they may be located differently than the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 of FIG. la.
  • the two or more gasified fluid supply arrangements may comprise a manifold 1701, one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 connected to the manifold 1701, and one or more tube distributors 1703 connected to the manifold 1701, wherein the one or more tube distributors 1703 may comprise one or more nozzles 1704.
  • the manifold 1701 may be configured to distribute gasified fluid from the one or more gasified fluid generators 1702 to the one or more tube distributors 1703 , and the one or more noz z les 1704 may be configured to inj ect the gas ified fluid to at least a first area Al of the tank 1100 .
  • the first area Al may comprise a feeding area F, wall area , and/or a crowder area C .
  • the manifolds 1701 may be located outside the tank 1100 . This may make the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 easier to manufacture with bigger capacity .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may extend from the manifold 1701 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 inside the tank 1100 may extend parallel to the end walls 1110 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may extend from the side walls 1108 or end walls towards the at least one launder 1101 .
  • At least one launder 1101 may be located in the middle of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may have a rectangular or circular shape .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may be configured to be located in the middle of the tank 1100 parallel to the side walls 1108 or end walls of the tank 1100 .
  • Length of the at least one launder may be length of the side or end wall .
  • the launder may be configured to be located in the middle of a vertical plane that goes through the central axis 1221 of the tank 1100 and is parallel to the side or end walls .
  • the at least one feeding arrangement 10A- 10D may be configured to feed slurry 1001 , wherein the flotation cell 1000 may comprise at least one of the following : a crowder feeding arrangement 10A, a crowder edge feeding arrangement 10B, an outside crowder feeding arrangement 10C, and/or an outside launder feeding arrangement 10D .
  • the slurry 1000 may be fed into the flotation tank 1100 with at least one crowder feeding arrangement 10A, which may feed the slurry 1001 inside the at least one crowder 1109 .
  • the slurry 1001 may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one crowder edge feeding arrangement 10B, which may feed the slurry 1001 close to an edge of the at least one crowder 1109 .
  • the s lurry may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one outside crowder feeding arrangement 10C, which may feed the slurry 1001 between the at least one crowder 1009 and at least one launder 1101 but closer to the at least one crowder 1009 .
  • the slurry may be fed into the flotation tank 1008 with at least one outside launder feeding arrangement 1101 , which may feed the slurry 1001 between the at least one crowder 1109 and the at least one launder 1101 but closer to the at least one launder 1101 .
  • FIG . 3a shows a flotation cell 1000 which has similar functionality as the flotation cell 1000 in FIG . la or in FIG . 2 .
  • the flotation cell may have a circular cross-section or a polygonal , such as rectangular, square , triangular, hexagonal , or pentagonal , or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section .
  • the flotation cells may have a radially unsymmetrical crosssection, as well .
  • the flotation cell 1000 may further comprise a gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 may be located at a side wall 1108 of the tank 1100 .
  • the gasified fluid supply arrangement may comprise a manifold 1701 , one or more gasified fluid generators connected to the manifold 1701 , and one or more tube di stributors 1703 connected to the manifold 1701 , wherein the one or more tube distributors 1703 may comprise one or more noz zles .
  • the manifold 1701 may be configured to distribute gasified fluid from the one or more gasified fluid generators
  • the manifold 1701 may be located outside the tank 1100 .
  • the manifold 1701 may be located around the tank 1100 . This may make the gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 easier to manufacture with bigger capacity .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may extend from the manifold 1701 .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may extend from the manifold 1701 .
  • the tank comprises the at least one horizontal first area Al , at least one hori zontal second area A2 , and at least one hori zontal third area A3 .
  • the at least one f irst area Al may comprise at least one of the following : the feeding area F, the crowder area C, and/or the wall area W of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one second area A2 may be located between the first area Al and the third area A3 .
  • the at least one third area A3 may comprise at least one of the following : a launder area L and/or center area Z .
  • the tank when the tank has a polygonal cross-section, for example rectangular or square , the tank comprises one or two hori zontal first areas Al , one or two one hori zontal second areas A2 , and one or two hori zontal third areas A3 .
  • the launder 1101 may be located between the third areas A3 or the launder 1101 may be located next to the one or two third areas A3 .
  • the at least one first area Al may comprise at least one of the following : the feeding area F, the crowder area C, and/or the wall area W of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one second area A2 may be located between the first area Al and the third area A3 .
  • the at least one third area A3 may comprise at least one of the following : a launder area L and/or center area Z .
  • the tank when the tank has a circular cross-section, the tank comprises one hori zontal first area Al , one hori zontal second area A2 , and one horizontal third area A3 around the launder 1101 .
  • the launder 1101 may have circular or polygonal cross-section .
  • At least one launder 1101 may be located in the middle of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may have a round shape or a polygonal shape , such as rectangular, square , triangular, hexagonal , or pentagonal , or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may be configured to be located in the middle of the tank 1100 or at the side wall 1108 inside or outside the tank 1100 .
  • At least one launder 1101 may be located in the middle of the tank 1100 .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may have a polygonal shape , such as rectangular, square , triangular, hexagonal , or pentagonal , or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section .
  • the at least one launder 1101 may be configured to be located in the middle of the tank 1100 or at the side wall 1108 inside or outside the tank 1100.
  • FIG. 3b shows a cross section A-A of FIG. 3a seen from side.
  • the flotation cell 1000 of FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b may have a circular cross-section or a polygonal, such as rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or pentagonal, or otherwise radially symmetrical cross-section, as well.
  • the flotation cells may have a radially unsymmetrical cross-section, as well.
  • FIG. 3c shows a cross section of a round flotation cell 1000 seen from above.
  • the tank comprises the at least one horizontal first area Al, at least one horizontal second area A2 , and at least one horizontal third area A3.
  • the at least one first area Al may comprise at least one of the following: the feeding area F, the crowder area C, and/or the wall area W of the tank 1100.
  • the at least one second area A2 may be located between the first area Al and the third area A3.
  • the at least one third area A3 may comprise at least one of the following: a launder area L and/or center area Z.
  • the first area Al, second area A2, and third area A3 all cover 1/3 of a cross-sectional area between crowder 1109 and the launder 1109.
  • the first area Al, second area A2, and third area A3 all cover equally wide segments (1/3) of a horizontal cross- sectional area between crowder 1109 and the launder 1109.
  • the two or more nozzles 1704 may be arranged in each of the tube distributors 1703 so that amount of the nozzles in the in the first area Al > amount of the noz zles in the second area A2 > amount of the noz zles in the third area A3 .
  • This means that more noz zles 1704 may be located in the first area Al than in the second area A2 and/or third area A3 .
  • the one or more noz zles may be arranged to point towards a bottom of the tank 1100 .
  • the one or more noz zles 1704 are arranged to distribute the gasified fluid so that gasified fluid first flow rate FR1 in the first area Al > gasi fied fluid second flow rate FR2 in the second area A2 > gasified fluid third flow rate FR3 in the third area A3 .
  • superficial gas velocity JG inside the tank 1100 is volume flow of gas / area of the froth, wherein first superf icial gas velocity JG1 in the first area Al is from 2 to 7 [cm/s ] , second superficial gas velocity JG2 in the second area A2 is from 1 to 5 [ cm/s ] , and third superficial gas velocity JG3 in the third area A3 is from 0 to 3 [cm/s ] .
  • the superficial gas velocity JG1 in the first area Al is different from the second superficial gas velocity JG2 in the second area A2 , which is different from the third superficial gas velocity JG3 in the third area A3 .
  • the tube distributors may also extend from one or more side walls 1108 of the tank 1100 to a center area Z of the tank 1100 . This may allow the tube distributors 1703 to feed the gasified fluid mainly from a wall area W of the tank but al so some amounts from a middle area or second area A2 of the tank 1100 , and minor amounts from the center area or the third area A3 of the tank .
  • the one or more tube distributors 1703 may be arranged to one or more sections S as shown in FIG . 3c .
  • the amount of the tube distributors 1702 in each section S may vary or may be the same .
  • any flotation method according to this specification may be used to operate a flotation cell according to this specification .
  • any flotation cell according to this specification may be operated in accordance with a method according to this specification .
  • Fig . 4 il lustrates an example of a method for treating particles suspended in slurry 1214 and for separating the slurry 1214 into underflow 1005 and overflow 1003 using a flotation cell 1000 according to embodiments in FIG . la, 2 , or 3a .
  • the method may comprise providing a tank 1100 for holding the slurry 1001 and a froth layer 1002 over the slurry 1001 .
  • the method may comprise feeding slurry to the tank 1100 with at least one feeding arrangement 10A- 10D .
  • the method may comprise distributing, using at least one manifold 1701 of at least one gasified fluid supply arrangement 1700 , gasified fluid to one or more tube distributors 1703 comprising one or more nozzles .
  • the method may comprise inj ecting the gasified fluid to at least one of the following : a feeding area F, a crowder area C, and/or a center area Z of the tank 1100 using the one or more noz zles 1704 .
  • any benef its and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments .
  • the embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié (1700), une cellule de flottation (1000) et un procédé de traitement de particules en suspension dans une suspension (1214). L'agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié (1700) comprend un collecteur (1701), et un ou plusieurs distributeurs de tube (1703) reliés au collecteur (1701). Le ou les distributeurs de tubes (1703) comprennent une ou plusieurs buses (1704). Le collecteur (1701) est conçu pour distribuer un fluide gazéifié au ou aux distributeurs de tube (1703). La ou les buses (1704) sont conçues pour injecter le fluide gazéifié dans au moins l'un des éléments suivants : une zone d'alimentation (F), une zone d'encombrement (C) et/ou une zone centrale (Z) du réservoir (1100).
PCT/FI2024/050393 2023-07-14 2024-07-12 Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation Pending WO2025017245A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20235824 2023-07-14
FI20235824A FI20235824A1 (en) 2023-07-14 2023-07-14 Feeding arrangement for gasified liquid and flotation cell
FI20245530 2024-04-29
FI20245530A FI20245530A1 (en) 2023-07-14 2024-04-29 Feeding arrangement for gasified liquid and flotation cell

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025017245A1 true WO2025017245A1 (fr) 2025-01-23

Family

ID=91959379

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2024/050393 Pending WO2025017245A1 (fr) 2023-07-14 2024-07-12 Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (2) CN223324733U (fr)
WO (1) WO2025017245A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617113A (en) * 1984-12-18 1986-10-14 Deister Concentrator Company, Inc. Flotation separating system
US4639313A (en) * 1985-07-05 1987-01-27 The Deister Concentrator Company Floatation apparatus for concentration of minerals from high water content aqueous slurries
US5078921A (en) * 1988-10-21 1992-01-07 The Deister Concentrator Company, Inc. Froth flotation apparatus

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4617113A (en) * 1984-12-18 1986-10-14 Deister Concentrator Company, Inc. Flotation separating system
US4639313A (en) * 1985-07-05 1987-01-27 The Deister Concentrator Company Floatation apparatus for concentration of minerals from high water content aqueous slurries
US5078921A (en) * 1988-10-21 1992-01-07 The Deister Concentrator Company, Inc. Froth flotation apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN223324733U (zh) 2025-09-12
CN119303745A (zh) 2025-01-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10040075B2 (en) Method and apparatus for flotation in a fluidized bed
CN110947525B (zh) 纳米泡浮选柱
CN100448548C (zh) 按尺寸分开浮选的装置和方法
CN210646840U (zh) 浮选池和浮选线
AU2014313771B2 (en) Method and apparatus for treating a feed stream for a flotation device
AU2019100828A4 (en) Flotation line
EP3648894B1 (fr) Agencement de flottation par mousse et procédé de flottation par mousse
CN114308400B (zh) 旋流喷射微纳米气泡浮选柱
CN110787916B (zh) 浮选池
CN210474319U (zh) 浮选池和浮选线
WO2025017245A1 (fr) Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation
WO2025017244A1 (fr) Agencement d'alimentation en fluide gazéifié et cellule de flottation
WO2024026517A1 (fr) Cellule de flottation par mousse
US20250018404A1 (en) Slurry feeding arrangement
CN119406589B (zh) 一种宽粒级物料浮选装置、分选方法
CN118874702B (zh) 一种矿化-分选分离的流化床浮选装置、分选方法
CN117339768A (zh) Lb微纳米气泡浮选柱
WO2025012521A1 (fr) Agencement d'alimentation en bouillie, unité de flottation, installation de flottation et procédé
CN120094742A (zh) 一种具有尾矿淘洗功能的磁浮选柱

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 24745468

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

DPE1 Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101)