Column flotation cells in terms of air distribution, feed and wash water systems compare to mechanical cells have better metallurgical performance. In this paper, flotation column cell scale-up has been investigated by using lab experimental results and required data for flotation column design was obtained by employing a lab scale column flotation cell with 150 cm high and 74 mm diameter in final zinc concentration cleaning stage. By using Taguchi experimental design method, four operational cell parameters were evaluated. In optimum conditions, a concentrate was produced with zinc grade, recovery and separation efficiency of 52.84%, 69.86% and 32.61% respectively.
Also plant flotation mechanical cells performance in final zinc concentration cleaning stage was investigated. Results were shown that, mechanical cell concentrate could produce a concentrate with zinc grade, recovery and separation efficiency of 52.15%, 75.10% and 30.84% respectively. Mechanical cells performance was compared to column cell performance in final zinc concentration cleaning stage. Results were shown that, column cell performance was increased 0.64% zinc grade and 1.77% zinc separation efficiency. Based in obtained results, a column flotation cell was designed with 8 m high and 1.4 m diameter.