MULTI-STAGE FLUIDIZED-BED FLOTATION SEPARATOR

摘要

A system for concentrating particulate mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material in a fluid medium is presented. The system comprises a separation chamber comprising three or more processing compartments in series. Each processing compartment comprises a manifold for the introduction of teeter water that comprises a mixture of water and air bubbles, suspended solids that form a fluidized bed that is created by the upward movement of the teeter water through the suspended solids; and each processing compartment is independently operable. An overflow launder is located above the separation chamber and a dewatering compartment is located beneath the separation chamber.