PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FINE PARTICLES BY MICROBUBBLE FLOTATION TOGETHER WITH A PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATION OF MICROBUBBLES

摘要

A method and apparatus are disclosed forthe microbubble flotation separation of veryfine particles, especially coal, so as toproduce a high purity and large recoveryefficiently. This is accomplished through theuse of a high aspect ratio flotation column,microbubbles, and a countercurrent use of washwater to gently wash the froth. Also, disclosedare unique processes and apparatus forgenerating microbubbles for flotation in ahighly efficient and inexpensive manner usingeither a porous tube or an in-line staticgenerator.