Gas dispersion characteristics of the Concorde Cell™
 
 
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METSO FINLAND OY
 
 
Publication date: 2026-09-21
 
 
Corresponding author
Berivan Tunç   

METSO FINLAND OY
 
 
Physicochem. Probl. Miner. Process. 2026;62(20th Balkan Mineral Processing Congress 5):237604
 
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ABSTRACT
The flotation of fine and ultrafine particles has become increasingly important as ore grades decline and more complex deposits are processed. Their recovery is limited by low collision efficiency, which is strongly affected by particle and bubble size. Smaller bubbles increase collision probability and interfacial area, making gas dispersion a key descriptor of flotation performance. The main gas-dispersion parameters are bubble size, superficial gas velocity, gas hold-up and bubble surface area flux, the latter being commonly linked to flotation kinetics. The Concorde Cell™ is a high-intensity pneumatic flotation device operated under high shear conditions, where fine bubble generation is used to promote particle–bubble interactions. In this work, gas-dispersion characteristics of the Concorde Cell were examined at laboratory, pilot and industrial scales under controlled air–water conditions. The measurements covered a range of superficial gas velocities and operating conditions, with emphasis on bubble size distribution and gas hold-up. The measured gas-dispersion parameters followed comparable trends across scale. The pilot and industrial data showed close correspondence over the common operating range, while the industrial unit extended the measurements to higher gas hold-up and bubble surface area flux. The preservation of the d32 – Jg and Sb – Jg trends from laboratory to industrial scale supports the scale-up of the pulp-zone gas-dispersion conditions over the investigated operating range. The experiments were conducted under two-phase air–water conditions at frother concentrations above the critical coalescence concentration (CCC); therefore, the effects of solids, particle loading, and froth transport require further investigation.
eISSN:2084-4735
ISSN:1643-1049
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