Flotation is a physicochemical separation process in mineral processing and construction waste recycling. The material to be separated is suspended in water, compressed air is injected, and special collector molecules make the desired mineral particles hydrophobic (water-repellent). These attach to rising air bubbles and are skimmed off as foam.
In the construction equipment context, flotation is relevant for aggregate processing, fine sand recovery from washing processes, and recycling of construction demolition waste. Flotation plants are distinguished into stationary and semi-mobile designs and are used in quarries, gravel works, and recycling facilities.
Modern flotation cells operate with computer control, automatic reagent dosing, and online particle analysis. Manufacturers such as Metso, Sandvik, and Sennebogen supply machines and plant components for wet processing. Flotation complements mechanical separation processes (crushing, screening, washing) with a selective sorting stage.