Patent ID: 6520340
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B03B,B03D

Abstract:
A method of operating a flotation cell line that has a flotation cell line inlet means for receiving feed material to be processed in the flotation cell line and comprises an upstream flotation cell and at least first and second downstream flotation cells, each flotation cell having an inlet means for receiving feed material to be processed in the respective flotation cell and an outlet means for discharging waste material from the respective flotation cell, the outlet means of the upstream flotation cell being connected to the inlet means of the first downstream flotation cell and the outlet means of the first downstream flotation cell being connected to the inlet means of the second downstream flotation cell, said method comprising, in a first mode of operation, connecting the inlet means of the flotation cell line to the inlet means of the upstream flotation cell, supplying waste material of the upstream flotation cell as feed material to the first downstream flotation cell, and supplying waste material of the first downstream flotation cell as feed material to the second downstream flotation cell, whereby the feed material passes successively through the upstream flotation cell and the first and second downstream flotation cells, and in a second mode of operation, connecting the inlet means of the flotation cell line directly to the inlet means of at least one of said downstream flotation cells and supplying feed material of the flotation cell line directly to said one downstream flotation cell, whereby the feed material that is fed directly to the inlet means of said one downstream flotation cell by-passes the upstream flotation cell, and the method comprising, in the second mode of operation, supplying feed material to the inlet means of the upstream flotation cell at a predetermined material flow rate and supplying any excess feed material received at the inlet means of the flotation cell line directly to the inlet means of the first downstream flotation cell.