Which type of flotation machine usually has a deeper tank and stronger stirring capacity and is suitable for processing coarse-grained minerals

In the field of mineral flotation, different types of flotation machines are designed to process ores of specific particle sizes. For the flotation of coarse-grained minerals, it's necessary to overcome the particles' inherent gravity and ensure effective collision and attachment with air bubbles. In these situations, mechanically agitated flotation machines, due to their unique structure and powerful performance, are the preferred equipment.

Structural Features: A Combination of Deep Tanks and Powerful Agitation
As the name suggests, mechanically agitated flotation machines rely on mechanical agitation at their core. These flotation machines typically feature deep tanks. This design is not accidental; it's intended to provide a sufficiently long flotation path and a more stable slurry flow field. Coarse-grained mineral particles have greater inertia and rise more slowly. A deeper tank increases the time it takes for mineralized bubbles to rise, ensuring that even heavier particles have sufficient time to reach the liquid surface.

In addition, these flotation machines are equipped with a powerful agitation system, typically consisting of one or more high-speed rotating impellers and a stator. The specialized design of the impellers generates strong shear forces, drawing in air and dispersing it into a large number of tiny bubbles. At the same time, the vigorous agitation of the impeller creates a strong circulation flow within the slurry, ensuring that mineral particles remain suspended throughout the slurry and preventing coarse minerals from settling due to gravity. This powerful agitation is key to overcoming the tendency of coarse minerals to settle and achieving efficient flotation.

Operating Principle: Overcoming Gravity to Achieve Efficient Mineralization
The operation of a mechanical agitator flotation cell is a highly efficient energy conversion process. As the impeller rotates, a negative pressure zone is created between the blades and stator, drawing air in. This air is sheared at high speed by the impeller, forming tiny bubbles. Under this intense agitation, mineral particles frequently collide with the bubbles. Once the coarse mineral particles are activated by the collector, their surfaces become hydrophobic, allowing them to effectively adhere to the bubbles.
Because coarse minerals have a greater gravity, they require stronger buoyancy and more stable bubble attachment. The intense turbulence and large number of bubbles provided by mechanical agitation greatly increase the probability of effective particle-bubble collisions. Once mineralizing bubbles form, their buoyancy must be sufficient to overcome the gravity of the particles. The deeper trough provides a stable space for mineralized bubbles to rise, reducing degassing caused by turbulent slurry flow. Eventually, bubbles carrying coarse minerals rise to the trough surface, forming a stable mineralized foam layer that is collected by scrapers.

Applicability Advantages: Process Guarantee for Coarse Particle Flotation
Mechanical agitator flotation cells are particularly suitable for coarse minerals due to the following advantages:
Higher Processing Capacity: Their powerful agitation and aeration capabilities enable them to process much higher slurry volumes per unit volume than other flotation cells, making them particularly suitable for coarse minerals requiring high flow rates.
Comparable Slurry Solids Content Requirements: This type of equipment can handle slurries with higher solids contents, which is crucial for coarse particle flotation because higher solids contents promote collision and abrasion between mineral particles, exposing new surfaces and improving flotation efficiency.
Excellent Agitation Performance: The powerful agitation action not only ensures the suspension of coarse minerals but also promotes uniform distribution of reagents throughout the slurry and sufficient activation of the mineral surfaces.
Process simplification and energy consumption control: In some cases, a single coarse particle flotation can replace the traditional fine grinding and flotation process, thereby reducing grinding energy consumption and costs, and achieving energy conservation and consumption reduction.