AN ANALYSIS OF FLOTATION CIRCUIT-DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The performance of a flotation circuit has been characterised in terms of residence time in conventional stages, each consisting of several cells in series. Equations for various circuits and combinations of re sidence times are derived which ensure that the concentration of circu lating material is maximised at the separation point. The efficiency o f the flotation circuit can be measured by determining the slope of re covery vs. the rate of flotation at 50% recovery. This slope can be in creased by increasing circulation or the number of stages. An optimisa tion routine is used to minimise the total volume of flotation cells a nd various circuit options are compared.