7
separation efficiency and the potential for an improvement
in both grade and recovery.
A size-by-size recovery analysis was also performed for
the mid-level air feed rate in which three size groups were
defined: fines (–90 ),middlings (–250 +90 )and coarse
(+250 ).Average recovery results involving all different
rotor speeds are shown in Figure 9. A higher recovery for
FloatForce+ rotor across all different size groups was found.
FloatForce+ power draw was assessed across the
three different rotor speed levels. Average power draw
results involving all air flow rates are shown in Figure 10.
FloatForce+ rotor power draw is consistently lower than
FloatForce for all rotor speeds. This drop was greater at the
lower tip speed (~13% reduction) but still substantial (~4%
reduction) at high tip speed.
CONCLUSIONS
An extensive development program was carried out
to improve the Metso flotation mixing mechanism
design which resulted in the development and launch of
FloatForce+, the latest patented flotation mixing mecha-
nism from Metso. The new FloatForce+ design can be eas-
ily retrofitted in both existing Metso legacy flotation cells
and third-party machines. Metallurgical performance and
power saving improvements were found when compared
to its well-recognized predecessor, FloatForce. The data
shows promise that significant improvements in flotation
circuit performance may be unlocked through the Metso
FloatForce+ flotation mixing mechanism installation.
Further testing is ongoing to continue industrial valida-
tion of the FloatForce+ rotor as well as include the new
FloatForce+ stator.
REFERENCES
[1] Bird, M., Oats, B., Sganzerla, M., 2015.
Improvements in flotation cell maintenance, power
consumption and operation at South32 Cannington,
in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 230–245.
[2] Cesnik, F, 2009. Improvements in flotation cell
operation and maintenance at Newcrest Cadia
Valley Operations, in Proceedings of the 10th Mill
Operators’ Conference, pp 183–188 (Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Adelaide).
[3] Gamez, A., Saltijeral, F., Lopez, O., Grönstrand,
S., 2011. Respect equals recovery in flotation,
SME Annual Meeting 2011 (Society for Mining,
Metallurgy and Exploration: Denver).
[4] Gorain, B.K., 2007. Design, Operating Principles,
and Optimization of Mechanical Flotation Cells. In:
Fuerstenau, M.C., Jameson, G., Yoon, R.H. (Eds.),
Froth Flotation: A Century of Innovation. SME Inc.,
USA, pp. 637–656.
[5] Gorain, B.K., Franzidis, J.P., Manlapig, E.V., 2000.
Flotation Cell Design: Application of Fundamental
Principles. In: Wilson, I.D., Adlard, E.R., Cooke,
Figure 9. FloatForce®+ vs FloatForce® size-by-size copper
recovery comparison
Figure 10. FloatForce+ vs FloatForce power draw reduction
at different rotor tip speed
separation efficiency and the potential for an improvement
in both grade and recovery.
A size-by-size recovery analysis was also performed for
the mid-level air feed rate in which three size groups were
defined: fines (–90 ),middlings (–250 +90 )and coarse
(+250 ).Average recovery results involving all different
rotor speeds are shown in Figure 9. A higher recovery for
FloatForce+ rotor across all different size groups was found.
FloatForce+ power draw was assessed across the
three different rotor speed levels. Average power draw
results involving all air flow rates are shown in Figure 10.
FloatForce+ rotor power draw is consistently lower than
FloatForce for all rotor speeds. This drop was greater at the
lower tip speed (~13% reduction) but still substantial (~4%
reduction) at high tip speed.
CONCLUSIONS
An extensive development program was carried out
to improve the Metso flotation mixing mechanism
design which resulted in the development and launch of
FloatForce+, the latest patented flotation mixing mecha-
nism from Metso. The new FloatForce+ design can be eas-
ily retrofitted in both existing Metso legacy flotation cells
and third-party machines. Metallurgical performance and
power saving improvements were found when compared
to its well-recognized predecessor, FloatForce. The data
shows promise that significant improvements in flotation
circuit performance may be unlocked through the Metso
FloatForce+ flotation mixing mechanism installation.
Further testing is ongoing to continue industrial valida-
tion of the FloatForce+ rotor as well as include the new
FloatForce+ stator.
REFERENCES
[1] Bird, M., Oats, B., Sganzerla, M., 2015.
Improvements in flotation cell maintenance, power
consumption and operation at South32 Cannington,
in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 230–245.
[2] Cesnik, F, 2009. Improvements in flotation cell
operation and maintenance at Newcrest Cadia
Valley Operations, in Proceedings of the 10th Mill
Operators’ Conference, pp 183–188 (Australasian
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Adelaide).
[3] Gamez, A., Saltijeral, F., Lopez, O., Grönstrand,
S., 2011. Respect equals recovery in flotation,
SME Annual Meeting 2011 (Society for Mining,
Metallurgy and Exploration: Denver).
[4] Gorain, B.K., 2007. Design, Operating Principles,
and Optimization of Mechanical Flotation Cells. In:
Fuerstenau, M.C., Jameson, G., Yoon, R.H. (Eds.),
Froth Flotation: A Century of Innovation. SME Inc.,
USA, pp. 637–656.
[5] Gorain, B.K., Franzidis, J.P., Manlapig, E.V., 2000.
Flotation Cell Design: Application of Fundamental
Principles. In: Wilson, I.D., Adlard, E.R., Cooke,
Figure 9. FloatForce®+ vs FloatForce® size-by-size copper
recovery comparison
Figure 10. FloatForce+ vs FloatForce power draw reduction
at different rotor tip speed