Tertiary Alkylamine Froth Modifiers for Silicate Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing silicates from ores during flotation processes face challenges in maintaining flotation performance and controlling excessive froth generation, particularly with coarse flotation feeds, which can lead to operational and environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of tertiary alkylamines, tertiary alkyldiamines, alkyltriamines, and alkylamidoamines as froth modifiers and collector boosters, specifically in the form of compounds with the general formula I, enhances froth quality, reduces froth stability, and improves flotation selectivity by preventing excessive froth generation and enhancing the removal of silicates in a pH range of 7-11.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reverse flotation technique is used to remove silicates by floating them at pH 10.5-11 with cationic collecting agents, then silicate removal efficiency is improved, but excessive froth generation occurs causing operational and environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using tertiary alkylamines with specific chain lengths (C12-C22) and molecular structures (formula I) to modify froth properties. These chemical parameters are optimized to reduce froth stability and volume while maintaining silicate flotation efficiency in the pH 10.5-11 range.
Solution Approach 2:
The tertiary alkylamine compounds act as intermediary substances between the cationic collecting agents and the froth phase. They mediate the froth generation process by adsorbing at the air-water interface and modifying surface properties, thereby controlling excessive froth without interfering with the primary silicate collection mechanism.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If defoamers are applied to control excessive froth after flotation, then froth volume is reduced, but additional chemicals and process complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the froth modification function into the existing flotation reagent system by using tertiary alkylamines that work synergistically with cationic collecting agents. This combination eliminates the need for separate defoamer application steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining froth control.
Solution Approach 2:
The tertiary alkylamine compounds exhibit multi-functionality by serving both as froth modifiers and as collectors or collector boosters. This universal application reduces the number of chemical additives needed and simplifies the overall flotation process while addressing both silicate removal and froth control objectives.
3Manufacturing precision
If coarse flotation feed is used to improve selectivity, then silicate removal selectivity is enhanced, but froth modification becomes necessary across all particle size ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using tertiary alkylamines with specific local molecular characteristics (tertiary amine groups at positions 2 and 4 of the alkane chain) that provide targeted froth modification. These localized chemical features enable effective froth control specifically in the coarse particle size range where selectivity is most beneficial, without requiring modification across all particle sizes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves froth quality and flotation performance by reducing froth stability and volume, allowing for efficient removal of silicates without additional chemicals, while maintaining or improving selectivity and recovery rates, thus addressing the challenges of froth management and silicate removal.
Implementation Method 1
The use of tertiary alkylamines, tertiary alkyldiamines, alkyltriamines, and alkylamidoamines as froth modifiers and collector booster... enhances froth quality, reduces froth stability, and improves flotation selectivity by preventing excessive froth generation
Implementation Method 2
a cationic collecting agent is added to the mineral pulp in a conditioning tank so as to attach to the silicate bearing minerals surface thereby turning them hydrophobic. The silicates are then removed from the flotation cell through use of air bubbles injected into the mineral pulp
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the flotation of silicates from ores in the presence of a collecting agent and an effective amount of a froth modifier/collecting booster comprising at least one of the compounds of general formula (I) or mixtures thereof: wherein X is C1-C3 alkyl; R′ is straight or branched hydrocarbyl group containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms; n is integer from 2-4; m can vary from 0 to 2 and R′ is X or —(CH2)n-N(X)2, with the proviso that when R′ is —(CH2)n-N(X)2, then m is 1.