Original Articles
G. Cheng and J. T. Liuc
Abstract
Flotation is the most effective and most popular method of dealing with fine-grained minerals. Examples of common flotation equipment include flotation machines and flotation columns. Flotation columns are more widely used than flotation machines in fine mineral processing. At present, column flotation technology is applied not only in mineral processing but also in wastewater treatment, pulp deinking, oil-water separation, and other processes. As the industry develops, column flotation technology is also diversified into multiple mineralization regimes. This study provides an overview of the literature on the development of column flotation technology from single to multiple mineralization regimes, including the traditional countercurrent, cyclone, and pipe flows. The cyclone-static micro-bubble flotation column is more compelling than other flotation columns, because it integrates these three mineralization regimes.