Do FLS Column, REFLUX RFC and coarseAIR use mechanical rotors/stators?

Mechanical-cell rotors/stators cannot be applied to these series. FLS Column uses external Venturi aeration; RFC and coarseAIR also have their own aeration, channel, pressure, piping and valve designs.

FLS WEMCO II, nextSTEP, mixedROW and RFC Flotation Spares

Q: Are WEMCO II and nextSTEP rotors, dispersers or stators interchangeable?

No. WEMCO II is self-aspirating and nextSTEP uses forced air. Positions, air paths, rotor/disperser or stator profiles, base plates and matching clearances differ. Verify the full series, volume, serial number, drawing reference and drawings.

Official FLS WEMCO II self-aspirating cell image. The rotor is in the upper tank, and the wet-end design differs from nextSTEP.

Official FLS nextSTEP forced-air cell image. The rotor/stator is at the tank bottom, with air supplied by an external blower system.

Official FLS REFLUX RFC2000 image. Its aeration, inclined channels and pressure design cannot use mechanical-cell spares by analogy.

OEM equipment guide

Equipment Series, Applicable Parts and Materials on One Page

FLS flotation products include fundamentally different designs. This page covers current series, published size ranges, core wet-end and drive parts, material selection, drawing checks and quotation requirements, with the applicability of each part stated.

7 Current Series / Specification Entries

7 Wet-End Wear Parts

4 Core Spare Categories

8 OEM References

Current Series and Key Dimensions

Identify the Design Before the Part

Published dimensions identify the product range only. Actual spares require the full series, cell volume, serial number, drawing reference, P&ID, general arrangement and current drawing revision.

Series / Model	Design	Published Range	Key Spare-Part Identification Areas
WEMCO II	Self-aspirating mechanical flotation	WEMCO II square cells, WEMCO II RT round cells, WEMCO II Inert Gas	Rotors, dispersers, disperser hoods, false bottoms, draft tubes/standpipes and drive assemblies; verify all three designs separately against installation records.
nextSTEP	Forced-air mechanical flotation	Rectangular-cell effective volume 1.7–2.8 m³; round-cell effective volume 5–600 m³	nextSTEP rotors/stators, stator base plates, rotor drive shafts, BHSA, pulleys, froth and level-control parts
mixedROW	Combined nextSTEP and WEMCO circuit	For cells of 5–660 m³	Two mechanical designs coexist in one row; distinguish WEMCO and nextSTEP wet ends by the specific cell position.
FLS Column	Column flotation	Cross-sectional area 0.79–28.27 m²; operating volume 2.5–472.5 m³	External Venturi aeration, recirculation pumps, injectors, tanks and froth launders; no mechanical rotor/stator.
RFC300 / RFC500	REFLUX Flotation Cell	Diameter 300 / 500 mm; total feed slurry 5–13 / 14–35 m³/h	Pre-contact aerators, inclined channels, fluidisation water, pressure chambers and valves; WEMCO/nextSTEP parts do not apply.
RFC Series	REFLUX Flotation Cell	The published selector lists RFC300, 500, 850, 1400, 1750, 2000, 2350, 2750, 3000 and 3600.	Confirm project dimensions, flow rates and spares by full model, serial number, P&ID and drawing revision.
coarseAIR	Coarse-particle flotation	cA-100 (test scale); cA-850 (industrial scale), published diameters 100 / 850 mm	No conventional internal mechanical rotor; spares focus on aeration, piping, valves, tanks and module interfaces.

RFC300 / RFC500 flow rates are comparison values published on current FLS pages. Verify other RFC models and all project configurations against current OEM records and installation drawings before manufacture.

Wear parts

Distinguish Wet-End Parts by WEMCO, nextSTEP and Cell Position

Names alone do not establish interchangeability of rotors, dispersers/stators, hoods, false bottoms, draft tubes or valves. Each card states the applicable design before linking to component and material pages.

Rotor / Impeller

Applicable design: Corresponding WEMCO II / nextSTEP / mixedROW cell positions

WEMCO II self-aspirating and nextSTEP forced-air rotors are core wet-end parts but differ in height, air path, profile and mating parts; they are not interchangeable. Check series, volume, rotation, diameter, holes, shaft connection and actual wear profile.

Material and manufacturing checks: Verify elastomer coverings, polyurethane or original composites against slurry abrasion, reagents, temperature, speed and balance requirements. Generic material names do not replace OEM drawings.

Rubber and polyurethane Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Stator / Disperser

Applicable design: WEMCO II disperser / nextSTEP stator

nextSTEP uses a matched stator; WEMCO II uses a disperser. Their functions, designs and positions differ. Check series, volume, blade/window profiles, base holes, clearances, rotation and rotor pairing references.

Material and manufacturing checks: Confirm elastomers, polyurethane or original composites against abrasion, tearing, reagent compatibility and mating clearances.

Rubber and polyurethane

View the Component Page →

Disperser Hood / Rotor Hood

Disperser Hood / Rotor Cover

Applicable design: Installed WEMCO II / WEMCO 1+1 designs

Primarily for WEMCO self-aspirating designs, forming air/slurry circulation paths and protecting the wet end. Check WEMCO generation, volume, hood profile, windows, flanges, supports and disperser/rotor clearances.

Material and manufacturing checks: Confirm rubber or polyurethane coverings against abrasion, fatigue, reagent compatibility and moulded dimensions.

Rubber and polyurethane

View the Component Page →

False-Bottom Liners / Assemblies

False Bottom Liner / False Floor

Applicable design: Installed WEMCO II / WEMCO 1+1 designs

Primarily for WEMCO self-aspirating cells, directing bottom slurry recirculation and protecting the floor. Check tank form, segmentation, thickness, holes, overlaps, flow boundaries and draft-tube clearances.

Material and manufacturing checks: Select rubber, polyurethane, corrosion-resistant steel or composite linings by slurry abrasion, reagents, temperature and structural stiffness.

Rubber and polyurethane Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Draft Tube / Standpipe Linings

Draft Tube / Standpipe Liner

Applicable design: Installed WEMCO II / WEMCO 1+1 designs

Primarily for WEMCO self-aspirating designs, linking the false-bottom area to the upper rotor circulation path. Check diameter, length, flanges, supports, lining thickness, concentricity, rotor clearance and tank interfaces.

Material and manufacturing checks: Confirm rubber, polyurethane or corrosion-resistant alloys against slurry erosion, reagents, bonding method and dimensional stability.

Rubber and polyurethane Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Tank Liners

Cell / Tank Liner

Applicable design: Verify separately against WEMCO / nextSTEP / Column / RFC drawings

Protect mechanical cells, flotation columns or local high-wear areas. Check series, tank shape, installation zone, segmentation, thickness, holes, seams, access doors and clearances to internals.

Material and manufacturing checks: Select rubber, polyurethane, corrosion-resistant steel or composite linings by slurry abrasion, corrosion, reagents and cleaning conditions.

Rubber and polyurethane Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Discharge Valve Wet-End Liners

Discharge / Dart Valve Wet-end Liner

Applicable design: Mechanical cells / mixedROW; valve type determined by drawings

Protect slurry-contact surfaces of inter-cell discharge, level-control or underflow valves. Check valve type, cell position, bore, stroke, sealing surfaces, guides, actuator interfaces and flow direction.

Material and manufacturing checks: Select rubber, polyurethane, ceramic or corrosion-resistant alloy according to pressure differential, abrasion, reagents and sealing requirements.

Rubber and polyurethane Ceramics and Cemented Carbides

View the Component Page →

Spare parts

Drive Shafts, Hubs, BHSA and Froth Skimmers

Drive and load-bearing parts require checks of interface accuracy, rotation, speed, air passages, bearings and seals together with the corresponding mechanical design and cell volume.

Rotor Drive Shaft and Sleeves

Rotor Drive Shaft and Sleeve

Applicable design: Corresponding WEMCO II / nextSTEP / mixedROW cell positions

Transmit torque from the drive to the wet end. Check WEMCO or nextSTEP design, length, shaft diameters, hollow air passage, keys/splines, flanges, bearing and seal seats, rotation and dynamic balance.

Material and manufacturing checks: Consider forged alloy steel, stainless steel or the original surface protection. Verify heat treatment, journal accuracy and non-destructive testing against drawings and alternating loads.

Alloy Steel for Drive Components Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Rotor Hub / Connection Mount

Rotor Hub / Mounting Hub

Applicable design: Mechanical flotation mechanisms

Connect the drive shaft to the rotor or wet-end assembly. Check bore, keys/splines, taper, flange, bolt holes, locating faces, rotation, fits and assembly access.

Material and manufacturing checks: Confirm drive alloy steel or corrosion-resistant alloy, heat treatment, dimensional accuracy and corrosion protection against torque, slurry conditions and original drawings.

Alloy Steel for Drive Components Specialty alloys

View the Component Page →

Bearing Housings, Bearings and Seals

BHSA / Bearing and Seal

Applicable design: Corresponding WEMCO II / nextSTEP / mixedROW cell positions

FLS lists bearing housing and shaft assemblies (BHSA) in its spare range. Check mechanism type, bearing designation, clearance, shaft/housing fits, seals, lubrication, speed, load and installation elevation.

Material and manufacturing checks: Confirm bearing steel, drive alloy steel and oil/chemical-resistant seals by loads, temperature, slurry, lubrication and original designations.

Alloy Steel for Drive Components Sealing materials

View the Component Page →

Froth Paddles / Skimming Mechanisms

Froth Paddle / Skimmer

Applicable design: Optional WEMCO II designs and other cells with froth skimmers

Mechanically assist recovery of thin or slow-moving froth. Check cell type, paddle length, diameter and count, rotation, shaft, chain/gear drive, speed, supports and launder interfaces.

Material and manufacturing checks: Select stainless steel, engineering plastics or rubber-covered designs by corrosion, froth, weight and cleaning conditions.

Specialty alloys Rubber and polyurethane

View the Component Page →

Drawing and Spare-Part Numbers

Match OEM or Third-Party References to Series, Cell Position and Design

With any reference, provide the full series, cell volume, serial number, cell position, WEMCO/nextSTEP/RFC design, part name, drawings, used-part photographs, key dimensions, material and slurry conditions.

Send an FLS OEM drawing number Verify series, BOM, drawing revision and installed cell position. Send a Third-Party Part Number Match cell volume, part name and key dimensions. Send Wear Records and Slurry Conditions Review elastomers, alloys, seals and target service life.

Are WEMCO II and nextSTEP rotors, dispersers or stators interchangeable?

No. Air supply, rotor position and profile, matching disperser/stator, base plates and clearances differ. Verify the full series, cell volume, serial number and drawings.

Can mechanical-cell parts be used in Column, REFLUX RFC and coarseAIR units?

No. They use external aeration, inclined-channel/pressure-chamber or coarse-particle designs respectively. Identify spares from their own piping, valves, tanks and project drawings.

FLS WEMCO II, nextSTEP, mixedROW and RFC Flotation Equipment

Equipment Series, Applicable Parts and Materials on One Page

Identify the Design Before the Part

Distinguish Wet-End Parts by WEMCO, nextSTEP and Cell Position

Rotor / Impeller

Stator / Disperser

Disperser Hood / Rotor Hood

False-Bottom Liners / Assemblies

Draft Tube / Standpipe Linings

Tank Liners

Discharge Valve Wet-End Liners

Drive Shafts, Hubs, BHSA and Froth Skimmers

Rotor Drive Shaft and Sleeves

Rotor Hub / Connection Mount

Bearing Housings, Bearings and Seals

Froth Paddles / Skimming Mechanisms

Match OEM or Third-Party References to Series, Cell Position and Design

Are WEMCO II and nextSTEP rotors, dispersers or stators interchangeable?

Can mechanical-cell parts be used in Column, REFLUX RFC and coarseAIR units?

Send the FLS Flotation Series, Cell Volume, Drawings or Spare Requirements

From Technical Assessment to Finished-Part Delivery

Drawing and Engineering Review

Material and Heat-Treatment Specification

Quality Control

Finished-Part Delivery