Metso Full portfolio Flotation dart valve

Flotation dart valves

Precise flow control in flotation cells

Designed for precise flow control in flotation circuits, it is engineered for high performance and durability. It ensures efficient slurry handling, minimizing downtime and maximizing process efficiency.

Flotation upgrades to help you reach your sustainability and production targets

Increased availability

 

Automatic valve position measurements with fail-safe function

Optimized throughput

 

Correct sizing improves response leading accurate level control 

Lower operating costs

 

Longer wear life with the correct range of stroke

Sustainable longlife design

 

Proven to offer the longest wear life of all known dart valve arrangements

Benefits
  • Optimized flow control – Provides precise slurry flow regulation, improving process efficiency.

  • Extended wear life – Built with high-quality wear-resistant materials, reducing maintenance frequency.

  • Reduced downtime – Durable components ensure longer operation cycles with minimal interruptions.

  • Improved process stability – Helps maintain consistent operating conditions in flotation circuits.

  • Low maintenance design – Designed for easy servicing and component replacement.

Flotation Dart Valve Upgrade
  • Heavy-duty construction – Built to withstand harsh mining environments.

  • High-precision control – Advanced design ensures accurate flow modulation.

  • Corrosion & abrasion-resistant – Manufactured with superior materials for extended durability.

  • Customizable options – Available in multiple sizes and configurations to meet site-specific requirements.

  • Easy installation & integration – Compatible with existing systems, ensuring seamless upgrades.

Accurate and reliable level control is one of the key operating variables in flotation. Especially in big cells, every minute of lost concentrate mass pull is worth a considerable amount of money. Changing process conditions and low availability may lead to requirements for improving level control arrangements and design.

Performance, availability and low running costs are the main design criteria of the improved dart valve level control arrangement. Dart valves are suitable for Metso TankCell, OK-cell, and similar flotation machines.

Accurate and responsive control

Smooth froth flow rate is one of the key factors affecting froth recovery and has a positive influence on overall metallurgical performance. Accurate and responsive level control is vital to ensure this. Properly sized steep-angle plugs need to be matched with a long-stroke actuator. The length of the stroke is a key element contributing to accurate level control. Furthermore, with correct sizing, the response to the control input is practically linear.

Improved actuator design

The new actuator unit measures the valve position accurately by using intelligent piston positioners. In the old design, the position was measured mechanically from the outside, which lead to a situation where construction got easily mechanical damage. The actuator unit reliability has been improved by designing an articulated joint that removes tensions directed at the unit. The improved actuator unit also includes a fail-safe function as an option for scenarios when the loss of air pressure or electricity occurs. The fail-safe function allows the operator to operate dart valves manually twice after an electrical or pneumatic malfunction.

Wear life 

The key design criteria is to maximize the wear life of the level control components. The Inside Dart with open design has proven to offer the longest wear life of all known dart valve arrangements. An open tank area around the inlet and a wide intermediate channel after the socket are essential. They guarantee the lowest possible flow rates from cell to cell without the risk of sanding. Laminar flow and moderate velocity are the key factors contributing to long wear life.  A properly selected range of stroke is another important factor determining wear. If the stroke in typical conditions is too short, i.e. the valve operates near the closed position, the flow rate will be high, thus inducing wear.

Upgrade scope

A dart valve upgrade consists of a dart valve socket, plugs, a rod, and an actuator unit. Depending on the requirements only some of the scope can be applied.

Value calculators & recommender tools

Reaching your sustainability targets?
Find out how our flotation, thickener and analyzer services help to achieve your sustainability targets

Blog

Blog
Achieve optimal metallurgical performance The relationship between regular maintenance inspections and metallurgical performance in flotation machines has been proven to be true.
Mining
Metals refining
How modernizations can get the most out of your existing flotation equipment
Discover how modernizing your current equipment can improve product recovery, plant availability and save operational costs in this webinar.
Contact our experts to learn more!
Your information is safe. Check our privacy notice for more details.
Thank you!
We will shortly contact you. You can send a new inquiry again after 15 minutes.