Slurry agitation promotes the suspension and uniform dispersion of mineral particles within the flotation tank; it promotes good air dispersion, ensuring even distribution within the tank; and it enhances air dissolution in high-pressure areas and precipitation in low-pressure areas, creating a large number of active microbubbles.
Strengthening aeration and agitation is beneficial for flotation, but it should not be excessive, as excessive aeration and agitation will have the following disadvantages: (1) it promotes bubble coalescence; (2) it reduces concentrate quality; (3) it increases energy consumption; (4) it increases wear on various parts of the flotation machine; (5) it reduces the volume of slurry in the tank (because the volume occupied by bubbles increases); and (6) excessive agitation may cause mineral particles attached to bubbles to detach.
The most suitable aeration rate and agitation degree in production should be determined through experimentation based on the type and structural characteristics of the flotation machine.