Cisa Floatation Column

Flotation columns Page 1 of 3
CISA Flotation columns
The Metso Minerals Cisa flotation column cells are establishing a new
standard in flotation technology. For the last two decades, columns have
proven their ability to produce higher concentrate grades compared with
conventional flotation.
However, one of their main drawbacks is a low recovery performance, typically

resulting in bigger circulating loads. The CISA sparger is derived from the
patented Microcel™ technology and enhances metallurgical performance by
allowing an unprecedented flexibility on the grade-recovery curve. Metso
Minerals Cisa offers industrial expertise and numerous references in full-scale
flotation column design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and training.
Metso Minerals Cisa also supplies testing and consulting services as well as
laboratory and pilot units.
The main advantages of the CISA column technology include :
Improved recovery
Optimized grade
Increased throughput
Enhanced bubble particle contact
No plugging
On-line replacement
Reduced wear and maintenance.
A Unique Sparger Technology
A unique sparget technology
At the bottom of the column, the CISA Sparger System maximizes mineral
recovery through:
Increased carrying capacity due to finer bubble sizes. This maximizes the
bubble surface area flux which is a standard parameter in evaluating flotation
device performance
Maximum particle-bubble contacts within the static mixers
Effective reagent activation from the mechanical operation of the pump
http://www.metsominerals.com/inetMinerals/mm_proc.nsf/PrintView/7526D648D6F215C... 6/12/2008
The CISA sparger consists of in-line static mixers and a centrifugal pump as
illustrated above. Tailings slurry is pumped from the base of the column through
static mixers, where air and slurry are mixed under high-shear conditions to
create the bubble dispersion. As the air-slurry mixture passes through the
stationary blades located inside the mixer, the air is sheared into very small
bubbles by the intense agitation.
Fine, uniform bubble dispersions, with bubble sizes typically ranging from 400 to
1200 microns, are generated by the sparger system. The bubble suspension is
introduced near the column base, and bubbles rise through the column collection
zone. The sparging system is specifically scaled for each particular application.
Sparger retrofit
As many plant metallurgists are unsatisfied with their column operation, Metso
Minerals Cisa offers to retrofit its sparger technology on existing columns.
CISA sparger's ability to improve column metallurgical performance and recovery
in particular has been demonstrated in all cases when tested in parallel at
industrial level with other sparging technologies.
The figure below illustrates the performance changes in column operation

(represented by the grade-recovery curve) when a CISA sparger is retrofitted:
1) The initial sparger (air-water or air-only type) allows the column to operate on
a given grade-recovery curve with a limited ability to move along this curve. The
operator has only access to a small operating range for the manipulated
variables such as air rate, wash water addition or froth height. Typically the
concentrate grade meets full requirements, but the column recovery is poor
which translates into high circulating loads.
2) The CISA sparger operates on a different grade-recovery curve. This is partly

due to the recycling of the tailings slurry which acts as a built-in scavenger
cell.Under the same operating conditions, there is a large increase in column
recovery when the CISA sparger is put into operation. At first, the concentrate
grade tends to be slightly lower, which is compensated for in step 3. Due to both
the smaller bubble size produced and the reagent activation provided by the
mechanical action of the recycling pump, the froth stability is greatly enhanced.
3) Thanks to improved froth stability, the operator has much more flexibility to
adjust the operating parameters (wash water, froth height, air rate). As a result,
the column retrofitted with the CISA sparger generates a significant increase in
recovery with at least the same concentrate grade.
Read more about Metso Minerals other flotation machines!
Copyright 2008 Metso Corporation

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Flotation columns Page 1 of 3

CISA Flotation columns

However, one of their main drawbacks is a low recovery performance, typically

The main advantages of the CISA column technology include :

A unique sparget technology

The figure below illustrates the performance changes in column operation

2) The CISA sparger operates on a different grade-recovery curve. This is partly

recovery with at least the same concentrate grade.

Read more about Metso Minerals other flotation machines!

Copyright 2008 Metso Corporation

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