Latest advances and progress in the microbubble flotation of fine minerals: Microbubble preparation, equipment, and applications

High-Turbulence Fine Particle Flotation Cell Optimization and Verification

“…This loss not only results in a waste of resources but also causes pollution to the environment surrounding the mining areas 4,5 . Considering the characteristics of microfine ore particles, such as small size, low specific gravity, large specific surface area, and similar surface physicochemical properties, researchers have proposed three technical approaches from a process perspective to enhance the recovery of microfine particles: first, increasing the apparent diameter of microfine particles; second, reducing bubble size to improve the mineralization efficiency of useful minerals 6,7 ; third, strengthening the interaction between flotation reagents and target minerals 8 . From the perspective of equipment, the technical approaches include altering the flow field structure in the separation space to increase the effect of turbulence on microfine particles and introducing micro-or nano-sized bubbles to enhance the selective capturing of hydrophobic microfine mineral particles.…”

“…From the perspective of equipment, the technical approaches include altering the flow field structure in the separation space to increase the effect of turbulence on microfine particles and introducing micro-or nano-sized bubbles to enhance the selective capturing of hydrophobic microfine mineral particles. 9 Among these approaches, the StackCell microfine particle flotation machine by Eriez 10,11 has been industrially validated. Its multistage impeller-stator strong stirring and the isolated structure design of the reaction chamber from the separation chamber have been successfully verified in semiindustrial experiments.…”

“…Its multistage impeller-stator strong stirring and the isolated structure design of the reaction chamber from the separation chamber have been successfully verified in semiindustrial experiments. Flotation equipment such as the Concorde Cell 12,13 , the Jameson Cell 6 , and cyclonic static microbubble flotation columns 14 enhance the collision efficiency between microfine mineral particles and bubbles by reducing bubble size and promoting the detachment of mineralized particles 6 . However, in the development process of these devices, constructing a fluid dynamic environment that conforms to the separation of microfine mineral particles has become a primary task 14,15 .…”