COLUMN FLOTATION - A SELECTED REVIEW .4. NOVEL FLOTATION DEVICES

Some of the novel devices in flotation that have entered the market place recently are reviewed. They are grouped into three categories: developments in mechanical cells, developments in flotation columns, and new cell designs selected here to illustrate the reactor/separator concept. In the first category, froth washing (is this transfer of technology from columns a simple matter?) and froth boosting (an old idea re-visited) are considered. Developments in columns include height (''short'' can be beautiful), sparging (a chronic problem that may now be solved) and baffling (an unresolved issue but one that packing may make redundant). Lastly, the reactor/separator concept is introduced and the Jameson, Pneumatic, Contact and Centrifloat(R) cells are analyzed as representatives of this category. A projected future design based on this concept is offered.