Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer which rises above an interface formed between the froth layer and the mixture of particles and fluid, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel by the froth layer to become a first product of the system. The vessel also has a first outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel, an entry to the first outlet being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface. The vessel also has a second outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel which is located below the first outlet.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer which rises above an interface formed between the froth layer and the mixture of particles and fluid, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel by the froth layer to become a first product of the system. The vessel also has a first outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel, an entry to the first outlet being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface. The vessel also has a second outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel which is located below the first outlet.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel 10 into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer 13 which rises above an interface 14 formed between the froth layer 13 and the mixture of particles and fluid 12, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel 10 by the froth layer 13 to become a first product of the system. The vessel 10 also has a first outlet 29 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel 10, an entry to the first outlet 29 being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface 14. The vessel also has a second outlet 20 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel 10 which is located below the first outlet 29.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel 10 into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer 13 which rises above an interface 14 formed between the froth layer 13 and the mixture of particles and fluid 12, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel 10 by the froth layer 13 to become a first product of the system. The vessel 10 also has a first outlet 29 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel 10, an entry to the first outlet 29 being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface 14. The vessel also has a second outlet 20 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel 10 which is located below the first outlet 29.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel 10 into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer 13 which rises above an interface 14 formed between the froth layer 13 and the mixture of particles and fluid 12, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel 10 by the froth layer 13 to become a first product of the system. The vessel 10 also has a first outlet 29 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel 10, an entry to the first outlet 29 being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface 14. The vessel also has a second outlet 20 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel 10 which is located below the first outlet 29.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel 10 into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer 13 which rises above an interface 14 formed between the froth layer 13 and the mixture of particles and fluid 12, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel 10 by the froth layer 13 to become a first product of the system. The vessel 10 also has a first outlet 29 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel 10, an entry to the first outlet 29 being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface 14. The vessel also has a second outlet 20 arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel 10 which is located below the first outlet 29.

Abstract: A flotation separation apparatus for separating particles in suspensions, feeds slurry containing the particles through an inlet into a contactor where gas is fed through an inlet to mix with the slurry, for example in a downwardly plunging jet, to form a gas-liquid bubbly two-phase mixture under pressure from an outlet restriction in a throttling duct. The mixture is passed through a flow manipulator configured to induce a high energy dissipation rate, for example by way of a Shockwave formed in a diverging section of the throttling duct reducing the size of the bubbles and brining those bubbles into intimate contact with particles in the mixture which is released into a separation cell where a flow manipulating draft tube is provided to reduce turbulence in the mixture. Alternative apparatus and methods for inducing the high energy dissipation rate and for reducing turbulence in the mixture are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A flotation separation apparatus for separating particles in suspensions, feeds slurry containing the particles through an inlet into a contactor where gas is fed through an inlet to mix with the slurry, for example in a downwardly plunging jet, to form a gas-liquid bubbly two-phase mixture under pressure from an outlet restriction in a throttling duct. The mixture is passed through a flow manipulator configured to induce a high energy dissipation rate, for example by way of a Shockwave formed in a diverging section of the throttling duct reducing the size of the bubbles and brining those bubbles into intimate contact with particles in the mixture which is released into a separation cell where a flow manipulating draft tube is provided to reduce turbulence in the mixture. Alternative apparatus and methods for inducing the high energy dissipation rate and for reducing turbulence in the mixture are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A flotation separation apparatus for separating particles in suspensions, feeds slurry containing the particles through an inlet (10) into a contactor (16) where gas is fed through an inlet (12) to mix with the slurry, for example in a downwardly plunging jet (14), to form a gas-liquid bubbly two-phase mixture under pressure from an outlet restriction in a throttling duct (18). The mixture is passed through a flow manipulator configured to induce a high energy dissipation rate, for example by way of a Shockwave formed in a diverging section of the throttling duct (18) reducing the size of the bubbles and brining those bubbles into intimate contact with particles in the mixture which is released into a separation cell (21) where a flow manipulating draft tube (20) is provided to reduce turbulence in the mixture. Alternative apparatus and methods for inducing the high energy dissipation rate and for reducing turbulence in the mixture are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the separation of particles from a particulate suspension. The apparatus comprises a rotating flotation drum (10) with a feed distribution chamber (13). Particulate suspension feed enters the chamber through a delivery pipe (20). The feed passes through holes (21) into the particle collection chamber (22). Air is passed into the particulate suspension through a porous inner wall (29) and a froth is generated. The froth and particulate suspension pass into a froth cleaning chamber (32). The froth is washed by being sprayed from a washwater distribution pipe (47). Froth is removed from the drum by a froth scraper (49) through a froth removal chute (50). Unfrothed particulate suspension passes through openings (40) into a weir chamber (41) and is removed through a launder (45).

Abstract: A method for the beneficiation of mineral ores by the flotation method whereby a slurry is introduced under pressure into the top of a first column through a downwardly facing nozzle, and air is entrained into the slurry forming a downwardly moving foam bed in the first column. The foam bed passes from the bottom of the first column into a second column where the froth and liquid separate, the froth carrying the values floating upwardly and over a weir and the liquid being drained with the gangue. The liquid/froth interface level in the second column is kept above the bottom of the first column, and the air flow rate into the top of the first column is controlled to keep the first column substantially full of foam.

Abstract: A method of operating a plurality of minerals separation flotation cells (1,2) each having a feed inlet (9,14) a values outlet (11) and a gangue outlet (12,15), and each flotation cell being located at substantially the same level. A feed box (3) is located alongside the flotation cells (1,2) which are connected in series such that the outlet (7) from the feed box (3) is connected via a first pump (8) to the feed inlet (9) of a first flotation cell (1), the gangue outlet (12) from the first flotation cell (2) is connected via a second pump (13) to the feed inlet (14) of the next flotation cell (2), and so on until all of the flotation cells are connected in series. Each flotation cell also has a recycle outlet (19) from the lower part of the flotation cell arranged to return a predetermined proportion of the material flowing through that flotation cell to the feed box (3).

Abstract: Aeration apparatus for use in recovering values from slurries in a flotation cell wherein the impeller has a plurality of blades extending generally radially and downwardly on its lower surface, each blade extending from the hollow drive shaft of the rotor to the periphery of the impeller and generally increasing in height radially outwardly along the length of the blade. In the preferred form of the invention a stator is provided having corresponding radial blades located beneath the impeller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the benefication of mineral ores by the flotation method whereby a slurry is introduced under pressure into the top of a first column through a downwardly facing nozzle, and air is entrained into the slurry forming a downwardly moving foam bed in the first column. The foam bed passes from the bottom of the first column into a second column where the froth and liquid separate, the froth carrying the values floating upwardly and over a weir and the liquid being drained with the gangue. The liquid/froth interface level in the second column is kept above the bottom of the first column, and the air flow rate into the top of the first column is controlled to keep the first column substantially full of foam.

Abstract: A method of improving the quality of froth removed from a minerals separation flotation cell by providing converging side walls to crowd the froth into a narrower chimney and thereby increase the froth height. The riser is constructed so that the height of the froth from the pulp/froth interface to the froth overflow weir is greater than the natural froth height in a similar parallel-sided flotation cell.