Metso Outotec HRT Flotation Cell 5m³

The Metso Outotec HRT Flotation Cell 5m³ is a high-recovery tank flotation cell from Metso Outotec's proven HRT (High-Recovery Technology) series, engineered for selective mineral flotation in phosphate, copper, gold, zinc, and industrial mineral processing circuits. With an active cell volume of 5 m³, the HRT-5 is the mid-range unit in the HRT series and is commonly deployed in cleaner, scavenger, and regrind-feed flotation stages where smaller active volumes and precise froth control are required for maximum metallurgical recovery. The HRT cell design uses a downward-pumping rotor-stator mechanism that creates a controlled turbulent mixing zone at the cell base, ensuring uniform air dispersion and bubble size distribution across the entire cell volume — key factors in achieving high mineral recovery efficiency.

The HRT-5 rotor-stator assembly is manufactured from wear-resistant rubber or UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), materials selected for their resistance to the abrasive mineral slurry environments found in phosphate and gold ore processing. The froth launder geometry is designed to minimise froth residence time and maximise froth drainage, improving the grade of concentrate reporting to the froth product. Each HRT-5 cell is fitted with an air flow meter, froth depth sensor, and dart valve for individual cell control, enabling full automation integration with the plant DCS via 4–20 mA or fieldbus signals. The flat-bottomed tank geometry eliminates dead zones and promotes uniform residence time distribution, improving the selectivity of the flotation separation.

Phosphate beneficiation is the most significant flotation application in Saudi Arabia, and the Wa'ad Al-Shamal phosphate complex operated by Maaden is one of the most productive phosphate flotation operations in the world. The Maaden beneficiation plant uses flotation to upgrade run-of-mine phosphate ore from approximately 15–20% P₂O₅ feed grade to a marketable 32–34% P₂O₅ concentrate, which is then processed into diammonium phosphate (DAP) and single super phosphate (SSP) fertilisers for global export. Metso Outotec flotation cells are the reference technology for this circuit, and the HRT series represents the current-generation replacement for legacy TankCell and OK flotation cells in both greenfield and plant modernisation projects.

Razz Middle East supports phosphate and mineral processing operators in Saudi Arabia with HRT flotation cell supply, rotor-stator replacement kits, dart valves, froth launders, and instrumentation. Our technical team can assess existing flotation circuits for performance bottlenecks and specify HRT cell upgrades to improve recovery and grade.