Froth Pumps Engineered for Air-Entrained Flotation Duty
A froth pump moves the air-entrained mineral froth produced in flotation cells, where the slurry density is below one and available NPSH is very low. Ordinary slurry pumps struggle here; a froth pump uses an enlarged inlet and open impeller to draw the froth into the impeller eye and avoid feed-hopper overflow and mineral spillage.
Froth & Air-Entrained Slurry Handling
SHANGLISHI horizontal froth pumps are froth-service variants of our horizontal slurry pump ranges, built by fitting an open froth impeller, enlarged-bore throatbush and new cover plate. Horizontal froth pumps are preferred over vertical: they use less floor space, are easier to maintain and pass more froth flow. Either packing or expeller seals may be used, with belt or direct drive — variable-speed drive is preferred to track changing froth.
Pumps in This Range
SAHF Froth Pump — Horizontal, Tenacious FrothEnlarged inlet and flow inducer for tenacious froth.SAHFR Froth PumpFor frothy slurry duties where selected lining or material configurations may be required.
Froth Pump Series
Selection uses the Froth Volume Factor (FVF): 1.1–1.25 for brittle froth, 1.25–1.5 for medium and 1.5–1.8 for tenacious froth, with froth flow Qf = FVF × Qs. Set the duty point to the left of the best-efficiency line (above 25% of Qbep) and keep NPSH below 3.5 m; never over-speed the pump. Absolute flow/head per frame.
Size on Froth Flow, Not Slurry Flow
The pump must pass Qf = FVF × Qs. Selecting on the airless slurry flow is the single most common error and produces a pump one or two sizes too small.
| Froth character | Froth Volume Factor | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Brittle | 1.1–1.25 | Breaks down readily; vertical build usually sufficient |
| Medium | 1.25–1.5 | Either build, depending on inlet conditions |
| Tenacious | 1.5–1.8 | Enlarged inlet and flow inducer needed — horizontal build |
Typical Applications
Mineral flotation froth transfer between cells and process stages, and other difficult, non-Newtonian or viscous slurries.
Froth Is Not Slurry With Air In It
Air in the impeller eye is the condition a centrifugal pump handles worst. Froth occupies far more volume than the slurry it contains, and the air accumulates at the impeller inlet and starves the pump. Most froth problems originate in the selection rather than in the pump.
System Limits That Belong in the Design
- Total head below 35 m where possible
- Pipe velocity 2–2.5 m/s
- NPSHr below 3.5 m
- Duty point left of best efficiency but above 25 % of Qbep
- ⚠ Never raise speed to compensate — over-speeding produces unsteady flow and oscillating discharge pressure
Reading the Symptoms
A froth hopper that keeps overflowing is a reliable sign the pump is not coping. Check the Froth Volume Factor used in the selection and the inlet arrangement before anything else. Spillage should not be tolerated, because the froth carries the mineral product.
Selection Support
Tell us the froth type, design and maximum slurry flow and reagent regime; we select pump size, impeller type and speed for the worst-case froth.
Send Your Enquiry
Froth Pump Distributors & SuppliersFroth Pump for Flotation & Mineral Processing
SAHF Froth Pump — Open-Impeller Froth ServiceSAHFR Froth Pump| Froth type | FVF | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brittle | 1.1–1.25 | Large bubbles, easily broken |
| Medium | 1.25–1.5 | — |
| Tenacious | 1.5–1.8 | Air tightly bound, fine bubbles |
Do your froth pumps prevent air-lock in flotation froth duty?
Froth duty is handled by froth-configured builds of our horizontal slurry pump range, using an open froth impeller, a flared throatbush and a modified cover plate. Sizing uses the froth volume factor (FVF): 1.1–1.25 for brittle froth, 1.25–1.5 for medium froth and 1.5–1.8 for tenacious froth, with Qf = FVF × Qs. The duty point is taken to the left of the best-efficiency line, above 25% of Qbep, with NPSH below 3.5 m, and overspeeding is avoided. Sealing is by packing or expeller, with belt or direct drive; variable-frequency drive is preferred. A horizontal arrangement is used in preference to vertical for a smaller footprint, easier maintenance and higher froth throughput.
Do you hold CE / EAC / ISO 9001, and can you export to the EU, Russia and the CIS?
Yes — ISO 9001/14001, CE (MD·EMC) and EAC 004/010. EAC certification is key for Russia and CIS customs clearance.
What after-sales and overseas spare-parts support do you provide?
Wet-end and spare parts are supplied for every series we build. The group exports to more than 100 countries and supports customers through 10 branches and more than 100 overseas offices; parts enquiries are quoted on request.
Manufacturer-direct supply · Technical pump-selection support · Export documentation on request.
