NovaCell™ Technical Specifications

• Capacity 60 – 1000 tph (dry) solids

• Typical particle size range 5 – 800 µm

• Downcomer capacity up to 360 m3/h

• Feed Density 25 – 40% solids (w/w)

• Air-to-pulp ratio 0.6 – 1.2

• Mass Rejection 50 – 90%

• Froth Level up to 0.4 m

NovaCell™ Applications

• Pre-Concentration – By maintaining high valuable mineral recoveries at coarse grind sizes, the NovaCell™ can be used in wet pre-concentration duties. The objectives are to lower ore cut-off grades, reduce carbon emissions associated with material handling and utilise the rejected waste for paste back-fill.

• Waste (Gangue) Rejection – Similarly, by achieving high valuable mineral recoveries at coarse grind sizes, the NovaCell™ can be used to reject waste before secondary milling. The objectives are to enable higher throughput rates or reduce energy consumption in comminution circuits, and promote dry disposal of tailings.

• Coarse Flotation – By maintaining high recovery efficiencies across a wider particle size range, the NovaCell™ can be used in rougher / scavenger duties in flotation circuits. The objectives are to enable higher throughput rates or reduce energy consumption in comminution circuits, and promote dry disposal of tailings.

• Tailings Scavenging – By recovering coarse and fine valuable particles typically lost by mechanical flotation cells, the NovaCell™ can be used for tailings scavenging. The objectives are to improve plant revenues and produce a ‘cleaner’ tailing with less acid-generating potential for disposal.

Study Results

The NovaCell™ technology has produced high recoveries at coarse grind sizes for coal, copper, lithium and potash ore bodies. Presented below are results from CPF studies, where the NovaCell™ produced copper recoveries ranging from 87 – 97%.

Studies to compare the NovaCell™ to mechanical flotation cells indicated that the NovaCell™ achieved significantly higher recoveries, especially in the coarser size fractions. Presented below is size-by-size chalcopyrite recovery for plant mechanical flotation cells, laboratory mechanical float cell, and the NovaCell™ at Pinto Valley Mine in Arizona, USA.

Testing Capabilities

Jord can offer both NovaCell™ small-scale and pilot-scale test rigs for conceptual and pre-feasibility engineering studies. The small-scale test rigs are located in commercial laboratories, and the work is completed under Jord’s guidance.

The pilot-scale rig is supplied by Jord and is designed to be contained in 20-foot shipping containers for ease of transport to operating mines. The pilot rig includes a classification circuit, tanks, pumps and is supplied with an integrated PLC system.

NovaCell™ small-scale test rig (left) and NovaCell™ pilot-scale test rig (right)