2950 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
time, flotation cell sizes increased. During development of
larger flotation cells, it was observed that square-shaped
tanks posed challenges in terms of load-bearing capacity
the at the corners. As a result, the industry shifted to cylin-
drical tanks, and Outokumpu introduced the TankCell ® in
1995. Other major vendors—EIMCO, Metso, and Dorr
Oliver—followed, each introducing its own design.
Cylindrical cells are now commonly referred to as “tank
cells,” and are offered in sizes from 5 to 630 m3.
Two agitator designs are used in these cells. In forced-
air machines, the mechanism is near the bottom of the
tank, and a blower is used to introduce air to the agitated
slurry. The major manufacturers of these machines are
Metso Corporation, BRGIMM Machinery &Automation
Technology Co. Ltd., and FLSmidth Minerals (under the
name Dorr-Oliver). In induced-air or aspirated machines
the mechanism is higher in the tank and also serves to
draw air into the machine. Major manufacturers of these
machines are FLSmidth Minerals and BRGIMM.
Figure 6 shows the four types of mechanisms cur-
rently offered. Since the introduction of tank cells, their
performance has been improved by modifications to
Figure 6. Types of Mechanical Cells Currently Offered: (a) Dorr Oliver (FLSmidth 2024a) (b) Metso Float Force (Metso
2024b) (c) WEMCO SmartCell (FLSmidth 2024b) (d) WEMCO II. (FLSmidth 2024c)
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
time, flotation cell sizes increased. During development of
larger flotation cells, it was observed that square-shaped
tanks posed challenges in terms of load-bearing capacity
the at the corners. As a result, the industry shifted to cylin-
drical tanks, and Outokumpu introduced the TankCell ® in
1995. Other major vendors—EIMCO, Metso, and Dorr
Oliver—followed, each introducing its own design.
Cylindrical cells are now commonly referred to as “tank
cells,” and are offered in sizes from 5 to 630 m3.
Two agitator designs are used in these cells. In forced-
air machines, the mechanism is near the bottom of the
tank, and a blower is used to introduce air to the agitated
slurry. The major manufacturers of these machines are
Metso Corporation, BRGIMM Machinery &Automation
Technology Co. Ltd., and FLSmidth Minerals (under the
name Dorr-Oliver). In induced-air or aspirated machines
the mechanism is higher in the tank and also serves to
draw air into the machine. Major manufacturers of these
machines are FLSmidth Minerals and BRGIMM.
Figure 6 shows the four types of mechanisms cur-
rently offered. Since the introduction of tank cells, their
performance has been improved by modifications to
Figure 6. Types of Mechanical Cells Currently Offered: (a) Dorr Oliver (FLSmidth 2024a) (b) Metso Float Force (Metso
2024b) (c) WEMCO SmartCell (FLSmidth 2024b) (d) WEMCO II. (FLSmidth 2024c)
(a) (b)
(c) (d)