Amine Collecting Agents for Iron Ore Froth Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reverse froth flotation processes for removing silicates from iron ore often result in either low iron recovery or high silica levels, and are hindered by excessive froth formation and stability issues, which complicates water recovery and processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A specific collecting composition comprising a C12-C15 alkyl ether diamine, a C12-C14 alkylamine, and a C16-C22 alkylamine, with a weight ratio of 4:1 to 1:1, is used in the reverse froth flotation process to reduce silica levels and froth stability, allowing for efficient iron recovery and minimized froth formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the ore is ground to fine particles to achieve sufficient mineral liberation, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the froth structure is damaged and froth stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the collecting agent by using a specific combination of amines with defined carbon chain lengths and ratios. This chemical parameter change allows the system to maintain froth stability even when processing finely ground ore, resolving the contradiction between achieving mineral liberation and maintaining froth structure.
2Productivity
If additional grinding is performed to increase iron recovery from froth product, then the iron recovery is improved, but the froth formation is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the collecting agent system. By using a specific combination of C12-C15 alkyl ether diamine, C12-C14 alkylamine, and C16-C22 alkylamine in defined ratios, the system achieves better iron recovery without generating excessive froth, allowing additional processing without proportionally increasing froth formation.
3Productivity
If water is recovered using tailing thickeners, then water recovery is improved, but froth contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the collecting agent to reduce froth stability and formation. This parameter change allows tailing thickeners to operate more effectively by reducing froth contamination in the recovered water, improving both water recovery and process efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional collecting agents are used to remove silicates, then silica removal is achieved, but iron recovery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite collecting agent system combining three different amine compounds with specific carbon chain lengths and ratios. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of silica removal and iron recovery, resolving the contradiction between effective silicate separation and iron recovery by leveraging the complementary properties of different amine compounds.
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
The solution achieves low silica levels, high iron recovery, and reduced froth stability, improving the overall efficiency and selectivity of the process, particularly for finely ground iron ores with a K80 value of 70 μm or less.
Implementation Method 1
A common process of removing silicates from iron ore is reversed froth flotation, where the silicates are enriched in the flotate and leave the system with the froth
Implementation Method 2
the silicates are enriched in the flotate and leave the system with the froth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for enriching an iron mineral from a silicate-containing iron ore by reverse froth flotation of the ore using a collecting composition comprising: a) a compound of formula R1O-A-NH(CH2)nNH2 (I), wherein R1 is a straight or branched hydrocarbyl group with 12-15 carbon atoms, A is a group —CH2CHXCH2—, wherein X is hydrogen or a hydroxyl group, and n is a number 2-6; b) a compound of formula R2NH2 (II), where R2 is a hydrocarbyl group having 12-14 carbon atoms; c) a compound of formula R3NH2 (III), wherein R3 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group having 16-22 carbon atoms; and d) optionally a depressing agent for the iron mineral, wherein the amount of a) is at least 65% by weight, based on the total weight of a), b) and c), and at most 90% by weight, based on the total weight of a), b) and c), and wherein the weight ratio between c) and b) is 4:1 to 1:1.