Measurement and Modeling of Residence Time Distribution in a G-06 ImhoflotTM Cell

Although intensified flotation cells have been introduced as fast-kinetic and plug-flow-type flotation machines, there is limited empirical verification and information about their fluid flow patterns and dispersion regimes. The present communication paper investigates this for an ImhoflotTM G-06 cell operated in an open-circuit mode using an impulse method to measure and model the residence time of a liquid–gas system. For experimental measurements, a concentrated KCl solution was employed, and water conductivity was monitored for 20 min. By fitting several relevant models, such as large and small tanks in series (LSTS), Weller, N-Mixer, and perfect mixer, to the experimental data, it was revealed that the N-Mixer represented the dispersion pattern the best (N = 1.3–1.6). Further, the obtained practical mean retention time (MRT) of 4.11 ± 0.16 min was somewhat aligned with the theoretical value, i.e., 5.0 min per pass, indicating a back-calculated gas hold-up magnitude of 18%–22% in the separator. These results provide an in-depth perception of scale-up procedures and requirements for cell modification.