flotation machine

What is flotation machine?

A flotation machine is an important piece of equipment that utilizes the differences in surface chemical properties of materials to separate valuable minerals from ores. Flotation is widely used in mining and mineral processing, primarily by having air bubbles adhere to specific minerals, causing them to float to the surface for collection, while leaving unwanted materials in the slurry.

Flotation machines are key equipment for efficiently extracting minerals from complex ores. Many models of flotation machines are available, and different equipment can be selected according to different types of ores and processing requirements. CHUNLEI flotation machines can significantly improve mineral recovery rates and reduce waste in mining operations.

Choosing an CHUNLEI Machinery flotation machine means:

• Large air intake – The impeller, composed of a closed double-section cone, generates strong slurry downflow, resulting in high air intake and low power consumption.
• Powerful functionality – Each cell integrates air intake, slurry intake, and flotation functions, forming a self-contained flotation circuit. No auxiliary equipment is required; its horizontal configuration facilitates process changes.
• Efficient circulation – Optimal slurry circulation minimizes coarse sand sedimentation.
• Intelligent control – Equipped with automatic slurry page control and electrical control devices for convenient adjustment.

Wide applications of our flotation machines

Our full range of flotation machines, as core mineral processing equipment, are suitable for non-ferrous/ferrous/non-metallic beneficiation, coal washing and environmental recycling, providing customized solutions.

• Suitable for copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, etc., separating valuable minerals from gangue to improve recovery and grade.
• Covers iron, manganese, phosphate, fluorite, etc., for desliming and purification to meet downstream standards.
• Used for coal slime flotation, desulfurization and ash reduction, improving clean coal value.
• Applied in mine wastewater and tailings treatment, recovering valuable metals for environmental compliance.

Working Principle of Flotation Machine

During flotation, as the impeller rotates, the slurry in the tank is drawn from the sides, through the bottom, and between the impeller blades. Simultaneously, low-pressure air supplied by the blower enters the tank via the hollow shaft and the impeller’s air distributor. After the slurry and air are thoroughly mixed between the blades, they are pushed upwards from the upper periphery of the impeller, stabilized and directed by the stator, and then enter the entire tank.

The bubbles rise to the foam stabilization zone, undergo an enrichment process, and then overflow from the overflow weir into the foam tank. A portion of the slurry flows to the lower part of the impeller, where it is agitated and remixed to form mineralized bubbles. The remaining slurry flows to the next tank until it becomes tailings.

Flotation Machine Customer Site

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 Flotation Machine

Model	Effective volume (m3)	Capacity (m3/min)	Impeller diameter(mm)	Impeller diameter (r/min)	Stirring motor power(kW)	Scraper motor power (kW)	Single slot weight (kg)
SF-0.37	0.37	0.2~0.4	300	352~442	1.5	0.55	468
SF-0.7	0.7	0.3~1.0	350	336~384	3	1.1	629
SF-1.2	1.2	0.6~1.6	450	312	5.5	1.1	1373
SF-2	2	1.5 ~3	550	280	11	1.5	1879
SF-2.8	2.8	1.5~3.5	550	280	11	1.5	1902
SF-4	4	2.0 ~4	650	235	15	1.5	2582
SF-6	6	3~6	760	191	30	2.2	3540
SF-8	8	4.0 ~8	760	191	30	2.2	4129
SF-16	16	5.0 ~16	850	169~193	45	1.5	7415
SF-20	20	10 ~12	850	169~193	45	1.5	9828

Advantageous features of Flotation Machine

• Impeller with backward tilting double-sided blades can realize double circulation of slurry in the tank.
• Large gap between impeller and cover plate, large suction volume.
• Low impeller circumferential speed, long service life of wearing parts.
• Forward tilting tank body, small dead angle, fast foam movement.
• Large suction volume, low energy consumption.
• Long service life of wearing parts.
• Favorable to the flotation of coarse-grained minerals.
• Mechanical agitation, self-absorption of gas, self-absorption of slurry.

Flotation Machine price

As for the price, we can’t show you the exact price because we deal with customers from all over the world and there are many factors affecting the price. If you want to know the price of Flotation Machine, you can leave a message to us on this page, we have professional sales staff and engineers to explain to you.

As one of the old brand mining machinery manufacturers in Henan, Chunlei Machinery strictly controls every Flotation Machine for sale with more reliable quality. Chunlei has its own R&D team and production site, and sells directly, enjoying factory super low price. What are you waiting for? Contact us immediately!

Flotation Machine FAQ

Q: What if the froth layer in the flotation machine is thin or there is no frothing?

A: First, check if the reagent dosage is insufficient (especially the frother), and adjust the reagent ratio accordingly. Second, check the aeration system; check if the aeration pipe is blocked or if the impeller cover plate is severely worn, resulting in insufficient air intake.

Q: What causes surface turbulence in the flotation tank?

A: This is usually caused by uneven installation of the impeller and cover plate, with one side having a larger gap than the other. The solution is to adjust the gap between the impeller and cover plate to be uniform, and at the same time check for any local damage to the cover plate.

Q: How often should the impeller and stator be replaced?

A: The impeller and stator are the core components most prone to wear. It is generally recommended to check and replace them every 6 months to 1 year. The specific replacement time depends on the abrasiveness of the ore. Wear will affect the flotation effect.

Q: How to deal with insufficient aeration in the flotation machine?

A: Check if the aeration pipe is blocked, if the valve at the pipe opening is fully open, and if the impeller speed is sufficient. If a loose belt causes a decrease in rotational speed, it will also affect the aeration rate. The belt needs to be tightened or the clearance adjusted.

Q: What causes bearing overheating or excessive noise?

A: Common causes include insufficient or contaminated lubricating oil, or damage to the bearing itself. The machine should be stopped, the oil level checked, and lubricating oil added or replaced as needed. Damaged bearings need to be replaced.

Q: What should I do if the flotation machine motor current suddenly increases?

A: This is usually caused by excessive sand accumulation in the tank, leading to increased load. The machine should be stopped immediately, and the sand in the tank flushed with high-pressure water before restarting. Prolonged sand accumulation will burn out the motor.

Q: What should I do if the flotation concentrate grade is low and the tailings run high?

A: Check if the reagent formulation is appropriate (collector-frother ratio), and observe the color and thickness of the froth. Also check if the slurry level control is proper; the froth layer should maintain a certain thickness (200-300mm) to avoid scraping out too much slurry.

Q: What needs to be checked before starting the flotation machine?

A: Check that all bolts are tight; manually rotate the impeller to ensure there is no jamming, preventing sediment buildup and increased motor starting load; check that the lubrication system is functioning properly.

Q: What concentration of slurry can the flotation machine handle?

A: Mechanically agitated flotation machines are typically suitable for slurry concentrations between 10% and 25%, with a solid density generally not exceeding 1.35 t/m³. Excessively high concentrations will affect aeration and flotation efficiency.

Q: What are the key points for daily maintenance of the flotation machine?

A: ① Clean the tank and pipes every 3 months to prevent sediment blockage; ② Lubricate the pump bearings every 3 months; ③ Regularly check the seals to prevent slurry and air leaks; ④ Maintain a stock of spare parts to minimize downtime.