WEMCO 1+1 Flotation Machines

Flotation cells designed for more

1+1

Flotation Machines
feature a unique design that is
demonstrably superior to other
mechanical otation systems. In
direct comparisons by major mining
companies, WEMCO 1+1 cells have
repeatedly delivered higher recovery
and grade with easier start-up,
simpler operation, lower reagent
consumption, longer mechanism
life and less required maintenance.
WEMCO is a world leader in large
cell technology with the greatest
installed capacity of any otation
manufacturer.
Unique Flotation
Mechanism
At the heart of each 1+1 cell is
a patented rotor-disperser that
delivers intense mixing and aeration.
Ambient air is drawn into the cell
uniformly distributed throughout
the pulp, providing optimum air/
particle contact. In larger cells a false
bottom and draft tube channel slurry
ow, ensuring high re-circulation and
eliminating sanding. This combination
of efcient aeration and optimum
solids suspension gives WEMCO
1+1 cells the highest specie recovery
and concentrate grade performance
available, and reduces reagent
consumption.
Self-Induced Aeration
Airow into the pulp is induced
by the turning rotor. No forced
air supply system is required,
eliminating the capital and operating
costs of blowers and distribution
piping. Airow compensation for
varying feed densities is automatic,
minimizing the operator attention
required. An additional benet is
that one mechanism can be removed
for service without interrupting
production, unlike forced-air systems
which require shut down of an entire
cell bank for service access to a single
mechanism.
Choose WEMCO for
Productivity
Superior air dispersion and high
slurry re-circulation ensure
adequate residence time for
optimum recovery and concentrate
grade.
Choose WEMCO for Economy
Simple, induces aeration reduces
both capital and operating costs.
Effcient air dispersion reduces
frother consumptionReduced
mechanism erosion slashes
maintenance costs
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WEMCO 1+1 otation cells
Elevated Rotor Position
To reduce wear on rotor and
disperser surfaces, WEMCO designers
have positioned the 1+1 aeration
mechanism well above the tank
bottom, eliminating contact with
abrasive, oversized tramp material.
After shutdown, the elevated rotor
allows 1+1 cells to be restarted
instantly, unlike conventional designs
with rotor and oor-mounted stator
located in the zone of heaviest solids
accumulation.
Large Design Clearances
Aerator mechanism erosion is further
reduced by large design clearances
between rotor and disperser. Normal
wear life of a Wemco 1+1 mechanism
is 2 - 4 times that of closely spaced
conventional rotor/stator designs.
Because WEMCO mechanisms stay
within design tolerances longer,
peak metallurgical performance is
maintained over a longer period,
further enhancing protability.
Simple design, rugged construction,
exible operation
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13 Cell Sizes
A wide range of cell sizes from 1 to
3,000 cubic feet offers eld proven
machines for virtually any application.
Reliable, Automatic Level
Control
A unique electronic/pneumatic level
control system uses dual bubble tubes
or ultra-sonic devices to accurately
measure and precisely control pulp
level regardless of uctuations in
density. Convenient panel displays
provide continuous, easy-to-read
access to operating information. This
PLC unit integrates easily with mill
DCS systems for complete remote
operation from the control room,
including set point and process
variable readout.
Durable Rotor-Disperser
Materials
The rotor blade and stator are molded
from thick abrasion-resistant rubber.
The elasticity and toughness of this
material provides maximum protection
against attrition, even in applications
where the pulp contains excessive
coarse or abrasive material.
Rugged Mechanism
Assembly
Simplicity and rugged construction
make the WEMCO 1+1 Flotation
mechanism extremely reliable and
keeps maintenance to a minimum.
A heavy-duty bearing stand supports
the motor driven V-belt and shaft
assembly. Twin oversized antifriction
bearings mounted in coast iron
housing maintain accurate shaft
alignment, ensuring smooth, trouble-
free rotor operation. The stand pipe,
disperser, and hood are suspended
beneath the base plate.
Reversible Operation
Complete sectional symmetry allows
the 1+1 rotor to be operated either
clockwise or counter-clockwise and
rotated end-for end, permitting
transposition of worn and unworn
surfaces and further extending
mechanism life.
Many Particle Sizes Treated
Efciency
WEMCO 1+1 Flotation cells are
commonly used in coarse oat
applications such as phosphate and
potash with feeds of up to 85% plus
65 mesh an maximum particle sizes as
large as 10 - 12 mesh.
Flexible, Modular Tank and
Box Design
The basic module of the WEMCO 1+1
Flotation system is a cell consisting
of a single tank and mechanism.
Several cells are bolted together to
form a otation machine with feed,
connection and discharge boxes as
required. Pulp level in the tanks is
controlled by automatically operated
dart valves in the connection and
discharge boxes. All boxes are
elastomer lined for maximum abrasion
resistance.
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Hydrodynamic performance
WEMCO Flotation
Machine Design Scale-Up
The table on the left lists key design
parameters which govern geometric
and hydrodynamic scaleup procedures
for WEMCO 1+1 machines,
assuring comparable metallurgical
performance in all cell sizes.
Air Escape Velocity recognizes air
ooding limits where excess air ow
produces large bubbles, pulp surface
geysering and froth disruption.
Specic Circulation Intensity relates
pulp turnover frequency to cell size.

Air/Pulp Mixing Residence Time
and Mechanism Power represents
mixing conditions in the rotor-
disperser region where air-particle
contact is established.
Pulp Circulation Velocity is
determines by the solids suspension
requirements of the feed. This
number increases for larger cells
because solids must be suspended
over a larger span.
Froude Number also indicates the
solids suspension capability of the
mechanism.
Air Capacity Number is recognized
metallurgical performance
optimization parameter.
These gures show the hydrodynamic
(air transferpulp circulation)
characteristics* of 4 large WEMCO
Flotation machines, and typify all
WEMCO machine sizes for 3000 to
1cu. ft. in volume.
For any given
machine size or
rotor diameter,
the air transfer
pulp circulation
relationship can be
operationally varied
by changing rotor
speed and/or rotor
submergence in
the pulp. Increasing
rotor speed at
xed submergence
produces higher air
transfer and pulp
circulation rates,
while increasing
rotor submergence
at xed speed
increases pulp
circulation and
reduces air
transfer. This
provides machine
exibility for the
achievement
of optimum
metallurgical
performance for
ne, coarse, and
mid-range particle
size applications.
*Water only tests
P = Power
N = Speed
D = Diameter
p = Density (Lb./cu.Ft.)
g = Acceleration due to
gravity (Ft/sec2)
Qa = Air Transfer (ACFM)
Dimensions & engineering data
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Copyright 2010 FLSmidth A/S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. FLSmidth is a (registered) trademark of FLSmidth A/S. This brochure makes no offers, representations or
warranties (express or implied), and information and data contained in this brochure are for general reference only and may change at any time.
Minerals Processing
Technology Center
FLSmidth Salt Lake City, Inc.
7158 S. FLSmidth Drive
Midvale, UT 84047-5559
USA
Tel: 801 871 7000
Fax: 801 871 7001
Email: [email protected]
www.smidth.com R
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