Cleaner Flotation Cell for Concentrate Upgrading in Mineral Processing

Product Introduction

Cleaner flotation cells are used in the cleaning stage of mineral processing flotation circuits to further separate gangue from rougher concentrate and improve concentrate quality.

Depending on ore characteristics and process requirements, one or multiple cleaning stages can be configured as part of a roughing–cleaning–scavenging flotation circuit.

Why Cleaner Flotation Is Used

After rougher flotation, the recovered concentrate may still contain gangue minerals or insufficiently separated particles. Cleaner flotation further processes the rougher concentrate to improve concentrate quality.

Unlike roughing, which focuses on the initial recovery of valuable minerals, cleaning focuses on further separation and concentrate upgrading.

Key Features

Concentrate Upgrading
Suitable for cleaning stages where further separation of valuable minerals from gangue is required.

Flexible Cell Configuration
Cell volume and quantity can be selected according to processing capacity, flotation conditions and circuit requirements.

Single or Multi-Stage Cleaning
Suitable for one or multiple cleaning stages depending on ore characteristics and process requirements.

Wide Mineral Processing Application
Applicable to suitable flotation processes for non-ferrous, ferrous and non-metallic minerals.

Flotation Circuit Integration
Can be configured with rougher and scavenger stages as part of a complete flotation circuit.

Working Principle

During cleaner flotation, rougher concentrate enters the flotation cell and is mixed with air under controlled flotation conditions.

Hydrophobic mineral particles attach to air bubbles and rise to the surface to form a mineralized froth layer. The froth product is collected as cleaner concentrate, while unwanted gangue is further separated.

Actual flotation performance depends on ore characteristics, particle size, reagent conditions, aeration and flotation time.

Typical Flotation Circuit

Grinding & Classification → Conditioning → Rougher Flotation → Cleaner Flotation → Final Concentrate

The specific number and arrangement of cleaning stages should be determined according to the ore properties and flotation process requirements.

Technical Parameters

Available configurations cover the following technical range:

Applicable Minerals

Cleaner flotation can be applied to suitable flotation processes for:

• Copper-bearing minerals
• Lead-zinc minerals
• Molybdenum-bearing minerals
• Gold-bearing sulfide ores
• Fluorite and other non-metallic minerals
• Other ores suitable for froth flotation

Actual equipment configuration should be determined according to ore characteristics and flotation test results.

How to Select a Cleaner Flotation Cell

Cleaner flotation equipment should not be selected based only on cell volume.

For equipment selection, the following information is useful:

• Ore type and target mineral
• Processing capacity
• Rougher concentrate flow rate
• Feed particle size
• Required cleaning stages
• Mineral analysis
• Flotation test results
• Existing flotation flowsheet

For an existing mineral processing plant, information about the current roughing and cleaning circuit can also help determine a suitable configuration.

FAQ

What is the purpose of a cleaner flotation cell?

A cleaner flotation cell further processes flotation concentrate to separate additional gangue and improve concentrate quality.

What is the difference between rougher and cleaner flotation?

Rougher flotation focuses on the initial recovery of valuable minerals from the ore slurry, while cleaner flotation further upgrades the rougher concentrate.

Can multiple cleaning stages be used?

Yes. Depending on ore characteristics and concentrate requirements, one or multiple cleaning stages may be included in the flotation circuit.

How do I select the correct cleaner flotation cell size?

Cell size and quantity should be determined according to processing capacity, concentrate flow rate, flotation time, ore characteristics and overall circuit design.

About Y&X

Y&X Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. provides flotation equipment, flotation machine spare parts and related equipment for mineral processing applications.

Equipment configurations can be selected according to ore characteristics, processing capacity and flotation circuit requirements.