Influence of hydrodynamic variables on scaling up of mechanical flotation cells

Abstract Flotation performance is influenced by many hydrodynamic variables, such as impeller speed, airflow rate, and cell geometry. These variables’ effects interactions remain unsatisfactorily explored, especially concerning scaling-up procedures. As an innovative approach, this study considered factorial-designed experiments to explore the of factors (impeller tip speed superficial gas velocity) on scaling up Outotec GTK LabCell™ mechanical flotation machine cells, common equipment used a benchmark for industrial pre-feasibility studies. Therefore, influence variables their was evaluated in two cells (2 L 7.5 L). The evaluation based rate constant “ k ” calculated first- second-order equations. Analysis particle size distribution indicated that different, shown finer concentrate 2-L compared 7.5-L cell. outcomes demonstrated symmetrical design geometry would lead accurate metallurgical responses. Otherwise, procedure could only be under some specific conditions. criterion, results showed using , process between these L) possible velocity (0.14 cm/s) apart from ( R 2 = 1). potentially key future development cells.