Flotation system
In beneficiation plant , Flotation, like all other separation processes, is imperfect in that simply by applying this process only once, very little separation may be achieved. For example, the underflow from a flotation machine unit may have many hydrophobic particles that have failed to encounter an air bubble, or the overflow may have hydrophilic particles that have simply been caught in the wake of an air bubble or in a collection of hydrophobic particles secured to a bubble. It is, therefore, common practice to operate many cells in complicated series – parallel arrangements, perhaps with adjustment of chemistry at some point. This is necessary because only a limited separation is usually attainable in a single device, and as such there is a need for roughing, cleaning, and scavenging components in a circuit. Generally speaking, roughing is the primary operation, which utilizes a moderate separating force to remove the fully liberated valuables. Scavenging utilizes strong che...