FROTH-FLOTATION CELL

1,028,590. Froth flotation apparatus; mixing and agitating apparatus. KLOCKNER-HUMBOLDTDEUTZ A.G. Feb. 5,1964 [Feb. 21,1963], No. 4872/64. Addition to 959, 920. Headings B1C and B2H. The swash plate impeller of the froth flotation chamber described in the parent Specification is modified by the provision of ribs on its underside as well as its upper side and by providing a supply of air to both sides of the plate. As seen best in Fig. 3 the plate rotates in a cage between plates 28 and 29 with an encircling array of baffle ribs 30 to break up air bubbles. The hub 23 on which the plate is mounted provides air channels between radial fins 24 so that air drawn down from the air supply pipe 34 is not only distributed over the top of the swash plate but is drawn also underneath the plate. The float fraction is collected in launders 40 from over weirs 35. The weirs are made of rubber supported by adjustable links 36-38. Two such impellers may be at work in a single chamber and three such chambers be arranged in series as divisions of a single trough. The underflow outlet may be controlled by a needle valve.