Innovative fluidized bed flotation column for fine particle separation

Abstract

Flotation columns are extensively utilized to separate fine mineral particles. In highly turbulent environments, the increased collision efficiency between bubbles and particles can lead to improved flotation efficiency of fine particles. The fluidized bed flotation column (FBFC), a new type of flotation equipment, improves the separation efficiency of fine particles by creating a highly turbulent environment in the fluidized zone through the addition of solid particles. This paper investigated the fluidization characteristics, bubble, and gas hold up of the FBFC, along with the flotation efficiency of fine quartz particles. Experimental results showed that introducing gas enhanced the fluidization process in the fluidized bed. The fluidized zone facilitated the fragmentation of bubbles into smaller ones. With increasing liquid velocity, the bubble diameter decreases before subsequently increasing, while the gas holdup initially rises and then declines. The flotation efficiency of fine quartz particles is superior in FBFC with added particles compared to those without added particles. The flotation efficiency of fine particles increases with the rise in both liquid velocity and gas velocity.