Danish engineering firm FLSmidth has unveiled upgrades to flotation technologies at the Mine Exchange 2022 SME annual conference.

The company has optimised its WEMCO II flotation cell, improving the rotor and stator/hood and minimising power consumption needs, as well as airflow and pumping inputs.

The upgrade also leads to improved recovery and concentrate grade performance, while reducing consumption of reagents.

The optimised WEMCO II design includes full air control without requiring a blower, as well as froth maintenance. These changes improve kinetic performance while reducing operational costs, FLSmidth said.

Users will also be able to control the air without requiring an external air supply, FLSmidth said.

FLSmidth also launched the Reflux Flotation Cell, which also reduces water, air, and energy requirements.

The RFC reduces CapEx by 35%, FLSmidth said, and requires no direct power input to work. The flotation circuit uses 60% less energy in a flotation circuit, the company said.

The RFC will enable customers and mining companies to have improved efficiency.

The device can be used as a rougher, scavenger, and cleaner across all minerals, which will maximise mineral recoveries, FLSmidth said.

FLSmidth received a grant of € 740,000 in August 2020 from the European Union to focus on flotation research. The company worked with PhD students from the Helmholtz Center Dresden Rossendorf to find ways to reduce water and energy usage in flotation processes.