BF flotation machine

What is BF flotation machine?

BF flotation machine, also known as BF type mechanical agitation flotation machine, is a multifunctional flotation equipment.BF flotation machine is divided into type I and type II, type I refers to SF type improved design, type II refers to JJF type improved design, type I is the suction tank, type II is the DC tank, usually referred to as BF type.

If you are a beginner and do not know about flotation machine, tell us your raw material characteristics, finished product requirements, site conditions, production budget, hourly production, and other requirements, we have professional engineers to equip you with a suitable model at a reasonable price. Next, let’s see the types of flotation machine we can supply.

What Is BF flotation machine Used For?

BF type flotation machine is suitable for the separation of ferrous metals, and can also be used for non-metals such as fluorite, talc, more widely used in the separation of gold, silver, copper, iron, tungsten, lead, zinc, tin, molybdenum, nickel, tantalum, niobium, manganese ore and other nonferrous metals, but also can be used for ferrous and non-metallic roughing and selecting.

For example, An iron ore flotation plant purchased BF type flotation machine from Chunlei, and its indexes are better than 5A flotation machine, and the single capacity saves 23.96% of electricity. In the case that the grade of iron rough concentrate selected by the plant is lower than 20%, the iron metal recovery rate is increased by 6.58% through the reelection of BF flotation machine and the energy consumption is reduced by 15-30%, which avoids a series of unnecessary waste of resources, and saves costs for the plant.

Applicable materials:BF type flotation machine can be widely used in the separation of non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, and non-metallic minerals, and is suitable for roughing and sweeping operations in large and medium-sized mineral processing plants.

Flotation Machine Accessories

Chunlei Machinery has been engaged in mining machinery manufacturing for more than 30 years, with a wealth of experience in building websites and customer cases, served customers all over the world!

Technical Parameters of BF Flotation Machine

Model	Effective volume (m3)	L×W×H (mm)	Impeller diameter (mm)	Impeller circumferential speed(m/s)	Air intake (m3/m2-min)	Motor type	Motor power (kW)	Capacity (m3/min)	Single slot weight (kg)
BF-0.15	0.15	550×550×600	200	6	0.9~1.05	Y112M-6	2.2	0.06~0.16	270
BF-0.25	0.25	650×600×700	250			Y100L-6	1.5	0.12~0.28	370
BF-0.37	0.37	740×740×750	286	7.2		Y90L-4		0.2~0.4	470
BF-0.65	0.65	850×950×900	300	7.35	0.9~1.10	Y132S-6	3	0.3~0.7	932
BF-1.2	1.2	1050×1150×1100	450	7.02		Y132M2-6 Y132M1-6	5.5 4	0.6~1.2	1370
BF-2.0	2	1400×1450×1120	500	7.5		Y160M-6	7.5	1.0~2.0	1750
BF-2.8	2.8	1650×1650×1150	550	8.06		Y180L-8	11	1.4~3.0	2130
BF-4.0	4	1900×2000×1200	650	8		Y200L-8	15	2.4 ~4.0	2585
BF-6.0	6	2200×2350×1300	700	7.5		Y225S-8	18.5	3.0~6.0	3300
BF-8.0	8	2250×2850×1400	760			Y225M-8	22	4.0~8.0	4130
BF-10	10	2250×2850×1700		7.52				5.0 ~10	4500
BF-16	16	2850×3800×1700	850	8.7		Y280S-8 Y280M-8	37	8.0 ~16	8320
BF-20	20	2850×3800×2000				Y280S-8	45	10.0 ~20	8670
BF-24	24	3150×4150×2000	920			Y315S-8	55	12.0 ~24	8970

Working Principle of BF Flotation Machine

When the impeller rotates, the slurry in the upper and lower impeller chambers is thrown around by centrifugal force under the action of the upper and lower blades, so that a negative pressure zone is formed in the upper and lower impeller chambers. At the same time, the slurry in the upper part of the cover plate is sucked into the upper impeller cavity through the circulating holes on the cover plate, forming the slurry upper circulation. When the lower impeller throws out the slurry in all directions, the slurry in its lower part replenishes to the center, thus forming the lower circulation of the slurry. And the air through the suction pipe, the center cylinder is sucked into the upper impeller cavity, and was sucked into the slurry mixing, the formation of a large number of small bubbles, through the cover plate flow stabilization, uniformly dispersed in the tank, the formation of mineralized air bubbles. The mineralized bubbles float up to the foam layer and are scraped out by the scraper, which is the foam product.

The structure of BF type flotation machine is shown in the figure, which is mainly composed of impeller, cover plate, main shaft, center cylinder, tank body, etc. The whole impeller structure is installed in the tank body. The whole impeller structure is mounted on the main beam of the tank body and driven by the electric motor through the triangle belt. The structure of this machine is characterized by the fact that the impeller consists of a closed double truncated cone, which can produce a strong downward circulation of the slurry. This machine can also be equipped with self-control device for slurry to adjust the liquid level.

Advantageous features of BF Flotation Machine

• The impeller of the BF flotation machine consists of a closed double truncated cone, which produces a strong under-circulation of the slurry.
• Large suction capacity and low power consumption.
• Each tank has the triple functions of suction, slurry suction and flotation, forming its own flotation circuit without any auxiliary equipment, and horizontal configuration, which is convenient for the change of flow.
• The slurry circulation is reasonable, which can reduce the precipitation of coarse sand.
• It is equipped with self-control and electric control device of slurry surface, which is convenient for adjustment.

BF Flotation Machine FAQ

Q: What is the BF flotation machine best suited for?
A: The BF flotation machine is ideal for separating non-ferrous metals like copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and gold, as well as ferrous metals, precious metals, and non-metallic minerals such as graphite and fluorite. It works well for both coarse and fine particle flotation.

Q: What is the difference between BF and SF flotation machines?
A: The main difference is the tank shape and self-priming ability. BF has a deeper tank with larger impeller diameter, creating stronger circulation and higher air intake. BF can self-prime slurry and air, while SF is better for finer particles. BF is generally preferred for larger tonnage operations.

Q: Can the BF flotation machine self-prime slurry without a pump?
A: Yes, the BF flotation machine is designed with a self-priming mechanism for both slurry and air. It can draw slurry from the previous cell and return tailings from the next cell without additional pumps, which simplifies the circuit layout and reduces energy consumption.

Q: What is the typical air intake volume for a BF flotation machine?
A: The air intake volume ranges from 0.9 to 1.5 m³ per minute per cubic meter of effective cell volume, depending on the impeller speed and slurry density. This self-aspirated air is sufficient for most mineral flotation applications without needing an external blower.

Q: How do I choose the right cell size for my plant?
A: Select cell size based on your required throughput, mineral type, and retention time. For small plants (under 50 tpd), 2-4 m³ cells work well. For medium to large plants (100-1000 tpd), choose 8-16 m³ cells. Contact us with your tonnage and feed particle size for a specific recommendation.

Q: What is the typical recovery rate for a BF flotation machine?
A: Under proper operating conditions, the BF flotation machine can achieve recovery rates of 80-95% for most base metals like copper and lead. Exact recovery depends on feed grade, grind size, reagent scheme, and retention time. Well-maintained units consistently deliver 85-90% recovery for most applications.

Q: What maintenance does the BF flotation machine require?
A: Key maintenance items include inspecting the impeller and stator for wear every 3-6 months, checking belt tension monthly, lubricating bearings every 500 hours, and monitoring air intake valves for blockage. Impeller and stator are the main wear parts and typically last 6-12 months depending on ore abrasiveness.

Q: Can I get a custom-made BF flotation machine for a specific mineral?
A: Yes, we offer customization including rubber-lined or stainless steel parts for corrosive slurries, special impeller designs for very fine or coarse particles, and optional froth crowder devices. Provide your mineral type, feed analysis, and capacity requirements for a tailored solution.

Q: What is the power consumption of a BF flotation machine?
A: Power consumption typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 kW per cubic meter of cell volume. For example, a 10 m³ cell consumes about 18-22 kW under normal operation. This is comparable to other mechanical flotation machines, but the self-priming feature eliminates external blower power costs.

Q: Do you provide installation and commissioning support?
A: Yes, we send 1-2 engineers to your site to guide installation, perform water and slurry trials, train your operators, and ensure the flotation circuit achieves designed recovery before leaving. Spare parts and wear liners are also available for fast shipping.