LMFTM Flotation Machine
The versatile Laboratory Flotation Bench has been designed to provide an accurate reliable means of re-producing test results.
The versatile Laboratory Flotation Bench has been designed to provide an accurate reliable means of reproducing test results. It is ideally suited in duplicating plant processes and operations.
Several configurations are available for impeller style and diffuser arrangement.
All wetted metal parts are made of high quality 316 stainless steel construction.
The flotation machine, also known as a flotation cell or flotation separator, is a device used in mineral processing to separate valuable minerals from gangue (unwanted material) based on their differences in hydrophobicity (ability to repel water) and buoyancy.
Flotation machines are widely used in the mining industry for ore beneficiation and concentration processes.
Feautures and Benefits
- Digital control by touch screen
- Easy to configure different products
- Digital read out of pH values, temprature and levels
- Flotation cells capacitys from 0,2 to 7 Litres
- Flotation, Attritioning, Blending, Agitating
- Standard acrylic cells and stainless steel impellers other materials on request
- Cells and impellers for high temperature flotation made from stainless steel
Technical Specifications
| Application fields | Laboratory analysis |
| Applications | Separation of different materials, particularly minerals, by agitating a pulverized mixture of solids in liquids |
| Working method | Flotation, Attritioning, Blending, Agitating |
| Flotation cells capacity | 0,2 - 7 liters |
| Flotation cells and impellers material | stainles steel, acrylic, pu-coated, PTFE coated |
| Avialible Accessories | Froth remover, level indicator, Peristaltic pump, PH indicator |
| Impellers | Interchangeable |
| Setting adjustment method | Digital control panel |
| Impeller speed / Electronic digital read out | 100-2000 rpm |
| Froth remover speed | 5 - 19 rpm |
| Air flow setting | 0 - 10 Ltr/Min 10 - 50 Ltr/Min |
| Power Supply | 0.75kW |
| Electrical requirements | 220-240V 50Hz (others on request) |
| Power Connections | 1 phase |
| Ingress Protection rating | IP 55 |
| Standards | CE |
| Weight | 133kg |
| Dimensions (length x width x height) | 839 x 480 x 834 mm |
Flotation Machine working principle
Each flotation machine contains an impeller, which is a rotating device responsible for stirring the slurry. The impeller creates a turbulent environment in the cell, ensuring thorough mixing of the reagents and ore particles.
Air is introduced into the flotation cell through the air supply from under the rotor.
The air bubbles generated act as carriers for the hydrophobic mineral particles, facilitating their attachment to the bubbles and subsequent flotation to the surface.
Flotation requires the addition of specific reagents to modify the hydrophobicity of the mineral particles and promote their selective attachment to the air bubbles. These reagents can include collectors, frothers, and modifiers, depending on the type of minerals being processed.
As the hydrophobic particles attach to the air bubbles, they form a froth layer on the surface of the flotation cell. The froth, containing the floated minerals, is continuously removed from the cell using our froth remover.
Flotation machines play a crucial role in the recovery of valuable minerals from ores. By exploiting the differences in surface properties between minerals, flotation enables the separation and concentration of desired minerals, resulting in the production of valuable concentrates. The design and operation of flotation machines can vary based on specific applications and mineral processing requirements.
How it works
The flotation machine mixes ore slurry with water, air and reagents. Turbulence from the impeller generates bubbles that selectively bind with hydrophobic minerals, forming froth that's removed to recover valuable material. This process is fundamental in mineral beneficiation.
Control Panel
LAARMANN's flotation device consists of a user-friendly touchscreen dashboard, where all the parameters can be set up and saved at once. Among these parameters, there are process duration, continuous cycle operation, and others that vary depending on the specific products used.
The airflow is regulated in two ranges of 0-10 or 10-50 liters per minute individually, as well as the impeller speed, which varies from 300 to 2000 revolutions per minute. In turn, the froth removal process can be adjusted using a specific pulse period, pause time, and continuous operation modes.
The pump operation can be triggered automatically using pH, temperature, or level controls. This feature requires using optional sensors that will trigger the pump when certain values are exceeded.
Accessories
Flotation cells
The flotation cells for the LMFTM laboratory flotation machine are available in clear acrylic or stainless steel. Different cell sizes and designs are available to suit various test requirements. Cell selection may depend on factors such as sample volume, pulp density, residence time, and the specific flotation process being investigated. The flotation cell provides the controlled environment required for effective mixing, aeration, mineral separation, and froth removal.
Froth remover
The froth remover is a component used to remove the froth or foam that forms on the surface of the flotation cell during the flotation process. The paddles are positioned above the surface of the pulp and skim or push the froth toward a collection launder or overflow weir.The froth remover plays an important role in the flotation process by facilitating the continuous removal and collection of mineral-rich froth from the flotation cell.
Proper adjustment and maintenance of the froth remover help ensure consistent operation of the bottom-driven flotation machine and efficient collection of the mineral-rich froth.
Rotor
The rotor is responsible for agitating the pulp and dispersing air throughout the flotation cell. Air is introduced into the cell through the rotor assembly. As the rotor rotates, it creates turbulence and disperses the incoming air into small bubbles. These bubbles are distributed throughout the pulp, increasing contact between the air bubbles and hydrophobic mineral particles and supporting an effective flotation process.
Ph meter
The pH meter is used to monitor the pH of the flotation pulp during testing. The measured pH value is displayed on the digital control panel, allowing the operator to monitor the process and maintain the required pH conditions. Accurate pH monitoring is important because changes in pH can influence reagent performance, mineral selectivity, and overall flotation efficiency.
temperature meter
The temperature meter is used to monitor the temperature of the flotation pulp during laboratory testing. The measured temperature can be displayed on the control system, allowing the operator to monitor process conditions throughout the test. Temperature monitoring can be particularly important when working with temperature-sensitive reagents or when test results need to be reproduced under controlled conditions.
level indicator
The level indicator provides real-time information about the pulp level in the flotation cell. This allows the operator to monitor and control the liquid level during the flotation process and helps maintain consistent test conditions. Stable pulp levels can contribute to more consistent aeration, froth formation, and flotation performance.Flotation machine bottom driven
A bottom-driven flotation machine is a type of flotation cell used in the mineral processing industry to separate valuable minerals from gangue minerals based on differences in their surface properties.
In a bottom-driven flotation machine, the impeller, which generates the air bubbles for flotation, is located at the bottom of the cell.
The impeller is the rotating component responsible for generating air bubbles and agitating the pulp in the flotation cell.
The stator is a stationary component that surrounds the impeller and helps to direct the flow of pulp and air bubbles in the flotation cell.
It also provides support for the rotor and ensures efficient mixing and dispersion of air throughout the cell.
Bottom-driven flotation machines are designed with a cylindrical or rectangular cell shape. The cell may be constructed from steel, polyurethane, or other materials, depending on the specific application and requirements.
Air is introduced into the flotation cell through the impeller, which creates a downward flow of air bubbles through the pulp.
The air bubbles attach to hydrophobic particles, lifting them to the surface of the pulp, where they form a froth layer that can be skimmed off for further processing.
The level of pulp in the flotation cell is carefully controlled to optimize flotation performance.
Once the valuable minerals have been recovered in the froth layer, they are typically removed from the cell using mechanical or pneumatic means.
This may involve scraping the froth off the surface of the cell or using froth paddles to push the froth towards a launder for collection.
Flotation machine FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Applications
Flotation machines are versatile separators used across industries to recover valuable materials and remove impurities.
In mining and mineral processing, they help extract metals like copper, gold, and zinc, as well as
upgrade ores such as phosphate, graphite, and lithium.
They are also applied in coal preparation, oil sands processing, wastewater treatment, and recycling, where they separate pollutants or recover reusable materials.
With their wide range of applications, flotation machines provide efficient and sustainable solutions for resource recovery and environmental management.
Visit our Applications page for our database of specific applications