:: MinnovEX Scores with Contact Cell Features

MinnovEX says its contact cells are having a growing impact in rougher and scavenger applications, enhancing performance and reducing footprint requirements.

Low capital cost, simplicity of operation and superior metallurgical performance are other advantages of the contact cells. The MinnovEX Contact Cell is a slurry aeration device consisting of a high-shear, intense particle-bubble contactor and a froth-separation cell or separator where particle-bubble aggregates are removed as froth.

First among the Contact Cell's capabilities is its small footprint and reduction in the number of vessels required (the required footprint is about half that of an equivalent-capacity mechanical cell circuit). This is due to its dynamic and highly effective particle-bubble attachment method.

Attachment is mediated by shear forces in the contactor chamber of the Contact Cell assembly. So using an impeller mechanism (like that in mechanical flotation cells) is unnecessary. A benefit is that maintenance on and down time for the Contact Cell are much less than equivalent-capacity mechanical cells.

Another advantage of the Contact Cell's attachment method is its higher grade for the same recovery compared to mechanical cells. This is a result of lower air consumption, which reduces entrainment and maximises selectivity of rate constants of gangue and valuable minerals.