Research and application of fluidized flotation units: A review

Flotation cells have a wide range of applications in the field of particle separation as a traditional flotation unit. Due to the declining ore grades and the increasing market demand for mineral resources, recovering particles in a wider range of sizes efficiently is a challenge that plants must face, but which is not an advantage of traditional units. The fluidized flotation cell is a new type of flotation unit that has emerged in the last 20 years and has been proven to have a good separation effect in a larger particle size range. Although studies related to fluidized bed flotation cells have been reported in the literature at this stage, the summary is not comprehensive enough to summarize the operating parameters and hydrodynamic properties of cells. To fill this gap, this paper summarizes the unique structures and applications of four fluidized bed flotation cells based on published research work. The factors affecting the operating parameters of cells have been extensively discussed. Progress related to the study of hydrodynamic parameters, such as minimum fluidization velocity, gas holdup, bed expansion and porosity in cells, is also reviewed. The end of the review offers some insights into future fluidized bed research interests. CO 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper summarizes the structures, applications, and operating parameters of four fluidized bed flotation cells based on published research work. It also discusses the factors affecting operating parameters and reviews the progress in studying hydrodynamic parameters.