Metso celebrates 50 years in mechanical flotation
Flotation technology has played a pivotal role in Metso’s history for over five decades. Evolving from humble beginnings at Outokumpu, and then further developed by Outotec, Metso has shaped the course of mechanical flotation and propelled the industry forward.
Metso Large OK-16 flotation machines
© Metso
The OK cell was taken into commercial use in 1973 with a capacity of 16 m³. At that time in flotation history, tanks were square-shaped when viewed from the top. As demand for even larger tanks escalated, a 38-m³ version was introduced to optimize processes and achieve higher recoveries, and, ultimately, to enhance profitability. During development of the larger flotation cells, the team noticed that square-shaped tanks posed challenges in terms of load-bearing capacity at the corners. As a result, the entire industry shifted to round-shaped tanks. Thus, the TankCell® was born in 1995. Metso TankCell boasts excellent flotation performance and offers a wide variety of cell sizes, currently ranging from 5 to 630 m³. This enables compact and cost-effective plant designs, even for high-tonnage operations. Fewer large units result in significant savings in construction costs, piping, cables, instrumentation, and auxiliary equipment. Antti Rinne, VP, Flotation at Metso, says: “Now, the biggest cell is almost 20 times larger than the original 38 m³. And, when we introduced the FloatForce® mixing mechanism in the TankCell design, it gave customers up to 30 % savings in energy consumption and significantly better recoveries.” Today’s flotation circuits are often designed and optimized with Metso’s HSC simulation tool, thus enabling optimization of total flotation cell volume and other key flotation parameters.
Metso TankCell TC e70 flotation cell
© Metso
Reaching the unachievable recoveries with Concorde Cell™
Metso Concorde Cell, entering the market as recently as 2021, stands out as a significant milestone in flotation. The Concorde Cell is capable of recovering the unachievable fine and ultra-fine particles, increasing profitability while reducing operating costs, energy consumption, and water usage. This patented technology is tailored for finely disseminated and complex orebodies that were once considered inaccessible. For optimal results, it is best when used in conjunction with TankCell technology. Both are part of Metso’s Planet Positive offering. “Combining the TankCell® technology with Concorde Cells is a low-risk and high-benefit approach,” says Rinne. “The cell produces very high shear and extremely fine bubbles, which increases recovery in particles under 20 µm. This newest technology in Metso’s flotation portfolio has already been deployed at several operations globally.”
Upgrading older cells for maximized recovery
Since flotation is a continuous process, maintaining high availability and efficiency is crucial. Metso’s developments in flotation cell technology enable upgrading and retrofitting of older flotation equipment for enhanced performance. These advancements not only extend the lifespan of existing equipment, but also align operations with environmental and safety standards, ensuring long-term viability and compliance.
