Measuring gas dispersion parameters: Selection of sampling points

• Parabolic air profiles by measuring local radial gas velocity in flotation cells.
• Sample point representing average superficial gas velocity in flotation cells.
• Relationship of parabolic air profiles and frother concentration in flotation cells.

Bubble surface area flux has proven to be a key operational variable in flotation machines not only for diagnosis but also for optimization purposes. It is calculated as a combination of two gas dispersion properties, superficial gas velocity and bubble Sauter mean diameter. Since gas is not necessarily distributed evenly over the cross sectional area of a cell the sampling point where gas dispersion properties are measured must be carefully selected. This article illustrates that a radial parabolic gas velocity profile exists in mechanical cells, in some cases with significant variation in gas velocity as a function of radial distance from the center. An optimal sampling location for single point gas dispersion measurements in mechanical flotation machines is proposed.