The fluidized bed flotation column has been designed to improve the flotation performance of fine particles by enhancing the collision efficiency in the fluidized zone with a highly turbulent environment. The hydrodynamics of flotation equipment can have a significantly impact on the flotation performance of fine minerals, however, that of fluidized bed flotation columns with binary particles are still limited. This paper investigated the hydrodynamics of fluidized bed flotation columns, including bed pressure drop, minimum fluidization velocity, bed expansion ratio, and gas holdup. The effects of liquid velocity, gas velocity, and particle size on hydrodynamics were discussed. The hydrodynamics of fluidized beds with binary particles was compared with that of unitary particles. Pressure sensors were used to record bed pressure, which was used to calculate bed pressure drop. A high-speed dynamic camera was used to record the bed height, which was used to calculate bed expansion. The gas holdup of the fluidization region and freeboard region was determined by volume expansion and pressure drop difference respectively. Results showed that the hydrodynamics of the fluidized bed with binary particles lay between the fluidized bed with large and small particles as influenced by the combination of large and small particles. A fluidized bed flotation column with binary particles demonstrates great potential in changing hydrodynamics.
 

fluidized bed flotation column; fluidized bed; flotation machine; binary particle; hydrodynamics