Outokumpu is the world leader in flotation technology.

We set new
standards for superior flotation performance: aeration and mixing, froth
manipulation and recovery for every flotation task. Our solutions are
tailor-made for each customer, including flotation packages with support
services, modular process sections and even whole concentrators for base
and precious metals and industrial minerals.

Flotation technologies
stainless | copper | technology

Top performance is the bottom line

The Outokumpu
factor
The Outokumpu factor is the
competitive advantage we give our
customers by helping them enhance
the performance of their processes,
products and services. It is a factor
our customers rely on to help them
overcome even the most demanding
challenges; giving them the edge
in business.

Staying on top of flotation today

requires a partner who helps you
achieve profitable operations through
superior operational performance.

Innovative, optimized
solutions
Outokumpus need for easy-to-use,
cutting-edge technology in our own
operations has led to the development of
many innovative products and processes.
We offer you a competitive advantage
with our flotation technology which
has evolved through continuous R&D
and experience. Forty years in business
prove our commitment to customers as
well as the operational reliability and
performance of our equipment.
Our automation and analyzer
solutions offer operators the perfect
tools to enhance flotation performance.

In addition, our froth management

technology and particle-size-specific
flotation lead the field for optimizing
recovery in every application. We are
ready to serve you at any time in
whichever corner of the world you
operate.

Flotation mechanism
as best matches your
application
Simple adjustment is not sufficient when
it comes to extreme applications with
coarse or fine particles. Therefore, we
developed a special solution for both.
Our different flotation mechanisms
optimize mixing, the amount of air and
bubble size to match your application.

Free-Flotation mechanism
mixing for coarse and
medium-size particles
The energy-saving Free-Flotation
mechanism keeps the slurry
in motion without excessive
turbulence. Coarse particle contact
with air bubbles is maintained
by strong and gentle mixing to
permit maximum recovery
by minimizing bubble-particle
detachment.
z

Multi-Mix mixing for fine and

medium particles
The Multi-Mix mechanism
maximizes bubble and particle
contact in the shear zone between
the rotor and stator. The strong
shear forces produce sufficient
energy for fines to break through the
water film barrier on the air bubbles.
Optimum aeration at any elevation
The supercharged Outokumpu
flotation mechanism ensures
optimum aeration at any operating
elevation.

Easy start-up under full load

The unique, downward-tapering
rotor enables fast start-up under load
after a scheduled or unscheduled
shut-down.

Special launder designs

High-capacity internal launders,
double launders or flexible highcapacity radial launders recover
the concentrate quickly, thereby
reducing drop-back, especially
of the coarsest particles.

Air consumption according

to demand
We have developed an effective
technique to determine the required
flotation air demand. This ensures
that the optimum amount of air is
supplied to each cell.

Froth management
leads to high recovery
Another flotation challenge is to keep
the froth in constant motion to ensure
high recovery or to make maximumconcentrate grade. Our flotation units
feature patented froth crowders to
flexibly manipulate the froth and keep
it in continuous motion. FrothCon
further enhances the effectiveness of
the cell by controlling the operational
parameters.

Chile
Successful site tests and TankCell installations have proven that the cells are easy to operate. Control tools,
especially the air control, are very good and the metallurgy is excellent. Operating and maintenance costs are
also low. Heavy-duty manufacturing of all flotation units and top-quality components are highly appreciated.
Assistance and services used most often include training of operators and maintenance staff, proposals for
inspections and preventive maintenance activities as well as spare parts recommendations. We also make
suggestions for process improvements. Our customers appreciate that we work as partners with them and give
them the service they need. We know the process and can really assist them.

TankCell flotation units

superior performance

TankCell units as unit reactors meet

all the requirements set for superior
flotation performance. They are easy
to operate, low on power and air
consumption and allow for a flexible
layout. Further, the TankCell family
comprises the widest size range on the
market.

Maximum return on
investment
We have a simple goal to maximize
your return on investment. Our design
philosophy is to provide you with
the best long-term investment. As
operators, we understand the value of
every 1% in throughput, grade and
recovery.
Over the lifetime of the Outokumpu
flotation units, operating costs have

proven time and again to be by far

the lowest. High reliability and low
maintenance enable trouble-free
operation, contributing to a rapid
return on investment.
Our flotation units are built to last.
Components and electrical equipment
are selected for maximum operating
life. For instance, our rotors and stators
have proven to be the most wearresistant available. The wide range
of available cell sizes permits plant
design to be compact, economical
and efficient, without fear of short
circuiting, even for todays hightonnage operations. Fewer units mean
substantial savings in construction
costs, piping, cables, instrumentation
and auxiliary equipment.

Technically on top
We set new standards for superior
flotation performance: aeration and
mixing, froth manipulation and recovery
for every flotation task. Operational
safety is one of the primary design
criteria and it also applies to the choice
of components. All units carry the CE
mark. Reducing environmental impact
is always the starting point in the
design of all Outokumpu systems. Our
equipment is designed for the highest
operational cleanliness.

field controllers and performs a variety

of additional functions. It can be linked
to the Outokumpu family of analyzers
and any plant process control system.

Service across time

zones
Providing rapid service response is
important to us. It enables us to fulfill
your needs for high flotation system
availability and reduce production
losses. We have highly-trained
personnel dedicated to serve you in all
major time zones.

Link to high-level
automation
We can assist you in every step of your
automation development, based on
our highly recognized achievements
in process control and automation.
We offer a unique control solution
for flotation units FrothCon. It
provides local process information
to operators at the flotation cells.
Simultaneously, it is a ready-made
structure for higher-level control.
As a stand-alone control system,
FrothCon replaces conventional

Canada
We value the Outokumpu flotation units because they suit the specific purpose and have a metallurgically
beneficial design, meeting or exceeding metallurgical expectations in terms of grade and recovery. Operation
is trouble-free. Compared with competitor units, the Outokumpu units operate at low power consumption.
As a company, our expertise in recommending the cells, cell sizes and cell placement is recognized, along with
our design and application competence. Similar application references, quality of after-sales performance and
on-site service are highly appreciated by our customers.

SkimAir flotation units

profit-makers in the grinding circuit

Outokumpu is known as a forerunner

in bringing new technologies to the
market. No one comes close when
it comes to understanding and
utilizing particle dynamics and froth
management. Our flotation approach
focuses on flexibility and circuit
optimization. Our various types of
flotation mechanisms have proved
capable of handling all kinds of flotation
processes. Reliability and ease of use are
the keys to our continued success.

Flash Flotation
In conventional Flash Flotation, we look
for grade. The Outokumpu SkimAir
flotation unit is used as a stand-alone
cell in a one-stage process for producing
a high-grade concentrate.

Flash Roughing
Flash Roughing is recovery-driven.
SkimAir operates using Dual Outlet
Technology, which has world-wide
patent coverage, to produce a lowergrade concentrate at a high recovery.
Flash Roughing can comprise two
stages: the SkimAir unit is used as
the rougher, and a special TankCell is
closely linked as the cleaner.

Outokumpu SkimAir
Flash Flotation or Flash Roughing
by the SkimAir flotation unit takes
place in the grinding stage.
z

Minimal overgrinding
The SkimAir unit floats the
valuable liberated particles from
the circulating load of the grinding
process while still relatively coarse.
These liberated particles are not
ground further and do not enter
the main flotation process as slime
particles with poor recovery.

Improved overall recovery

SkimAir recovers considerable
amounts of valuable minerals,
resulting in a more stable feed to
the conventional flotation circuit.
This creates extra capacity and
improved control in the existing
flotation process. A lower-grade
concentrate with high recovery can
be obtained and blended with the
higher grade SkimAir concentrate
to increase the overall plant recovery.

Flash Roughing flowsheet.

Increased mill throughput

Along with flotation improvements,
the grinding mill throughput can
be increased due to the controlled
high density of the SkimAir
underflow.

Improved dewatering
Dewatering improves because the
final concentrate P80 is coarser due
to the elimination of fines.

Australia
Outokumpu is number one in Australia due to the development, successful testing and installation of large
TankCell units. The largest Flash Flotation SkimAir cells have also been developed and successfully installed
for the Australian market.
Our locally-based technical and engineering team, operating with ISO 9001 certification, can quickly respond
to customers and engineering companies. This applies to bid requests as well as solving on-site issues. Our
quotations have general arrangement drawings in electronic form for further processing as initial plant layouts.

All under control

Outokumpu offers the widest range

of flotation solutions available to meet
all application needs. Each flotation
unit can be delivered complete with a
customized package of our automation
or on-stream analyzers.

Outokumpus range of
flotation equipment
TankCell for rougher, scavenger
and cleaner flotation
z SkimAir for conventional Flash
Flotation or Flash Roughing in
the grinding circuit
z Conventional flotation for rougher,
scavenger and cleaner flotation
z

Flotation package with

support services
We deliver flotation systems to meet
your specific requirements; automation
and analyzers can be included. We
provide supervision services for
installation, commissioning and startup, and training of plant personnel
is an essential part of the package.
Comprehensive after-sales service
and consultation are proof of our
commitment to your continuous
operational performance. Each delivery
focuses on maximizing the use of local
resources.

Modular process
sections
Sub-assembled process sections are
cost-effective and fast to bring into
operation. These modules are practical
for transportation, and easy to assemble
and install in the field; customized
automation and analyzers are included.
Supervision services and training
complete the package.

Optimized air consumption

TankCell units have an optimized
froth surface area based on the
mineralogy and kinetics in each case.
A TankCell unit typically uses less
air than its conventional counterpart.

Optimized froth-carrying capacity

TankCell units are designed to
handle maximum carrying rate and
lip loadings for the specified task.

Flexible plant layout

The wide range of cell sizes from
5 m3 to gigantic 500 m3 and the
symmetrical design allow a flexible
layout.

Choice of automation level

The modular stand-alone PLCbased FrothCon replaces
conventional field controllers.
Through easy-to-use graphical
FrothCon displays, the operator
can follow control loop status, trends
and make set point adjustments for
flotation air and slurry levels next to
the flotation cells.

By connecting one of the Outokumpu

Courier analyzers through a
process control system or directly to
FrothCon, the operator can browse
added process assay information
online on FrothCon displays.
FrothCon provides a ready-made
solid basis for high-level control, such
as the Outokumpu Proscon advanced
process control system.

Outokumpu TankCell
The cylindrical Outokumpu TankCell
excels in performance as a rougher,
scavenger or cleaner and currently leads
the world in flotation technology. We
use our knowledge of froth crowding
and froth transport characteristics to
adapt the basic design to the demand
of different flotation duties.
z

Superior mixing and minimized

short circuiting
The cylindrical TankCell operates
as an ideal mixer and maximizes
the number of collisions between the
mineral particles and air bubbles, as
well as reducing short circuiting.

The CIS countries

Outokumpu has had long experience of modernizing existing plants in the CIS. The company has also
delivered complete new plants, comprising equipment for flotation, thickening and filtration as well as related
automation and analyzers. Years of experience in this market have facilitated timely deliveries and smooth cooperation.
Our designers and specialists all have plant metallurgical backgrounds from similar ore processes. We have
a long tradition in equipment manufacturing, which is complemented by easy railway transportation from
Finland to the CIS.

Proven to be superior
Market leader
Outokumpu is the technology and
market leader. Our continuous
R&D and proven ability to
commercialize novel technologies as
well as improvements have resulted
in us holding an over 50 % share of the
market.

The best, all the time

We have experience beyond others. Our
audits have contributed to optimized
plant performances. From the 1970s
onwards, Outokumpu has developed
solutions for many specific flotation
tasks, from base metals to paper deinking to oil separation.
We have offered solutions to many
difficult operational tasks. For instance,
in a case study of size-by-size specific
recovery of a plant the curve was shifted
by Outokumpu flotation technology to
a new upper level, as shown in the chart
above. In some size fractions recovery
increase was over 20 percentage units.
The total plant recovery was improved;
payback time for the improvement was
only weeks.
Case study: fast kinetics of TankCell.

Case study: superior size-by-size recovery of TankCell.

Most efficient
technology available
TankCell is known to have the
fastest flotation kinetics available; this
has been proven by full-scale tests in
South America, Canada, Europe and
Australia. In the flotation kinetics case
study, Outokumpu TankCell was able
to make the required reduction with 10
minutes retention time, which is much
faster than competitors 15 minutes
retention time.

We offer you a long-term

partnership through local
presence, supported by a global
network of professionals. We
provide flotation packages,
modular process sections or
whole concentrators.

3007EN. Libris, Helsinki, Finland. April 2004.

Outokumpu is a dynamic metals and

technology group. Focusing on our core
competences, that is, extensive knowledge of
metals and metals processing, we aim to be
leaders in all of our key businesses: stainless
steel, copper and technology. Customers in a
wide range of industries use our metals, metal
products, technology and services worldwide.

E-mail: info.technology@outokumpu.com

www.outokumpu.com