CO2 Inert Atmosphere for Mineral Flotation Oxidation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral separation processes in the extractive industry face challenges in controlling oxidation during comminution, leading to corrosion, increased chemical consumption, and reduced flotation efficiency due to oxidation products in process waters.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a carbon dioxide circulation system to displace oxygen during comminution and flotation, preventing surface oxidation of mineral particles and improving the separation of valuable minerals through controlled conditions, including the use of wet or dry comminution and nanofiltration for process water treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flotation beneficiation is used without oxygen displacement, then the process is simpler to operate, but uncontrollable oxidation of mineral surfaces occurs leading to corrosion, increased chemical consumption, and reduced flotation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by introducing carbon dioxide gas into the flotation cell to displace oxygen from the mineral particle surfaces. This creates an oxygen-free environment that prevents oxidation of sulfide minerals during comminution and flotation, thereby maintaining surface properties essential for effective flotation separation while avoiding corrosion and chemical consumption issues associated with oxidized surfaces
2Object-affected harmful factors
If oxygen is present during comminution and flotation, then the process requires fewer additional systems, but oxidation products attach to particle surfaces and dissolve in process water causing corrosion and increased chemical consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a gas circulation system that continuously introduces carbon dioxide and removes oxygen from the flotation environment. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation products from forming on particle surfaces and dissolving in process water, thereby eliminating corrosion and reduced chemical consumption while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized gas handling equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous gas circulation to maintain oxygen-free conditions throughout the flotation process. By continuously introducing carbon dioxide and removing oxygen rather than applying a single treatment step, the system ensures consistent protection against oxidation throughout comminution and flotation operations, preventing harmful oxidation products from forming
3Loss of substance
If traditional flotation without oxygen displacement is used, then the apparatus is simpler, but corrosion of apparatus and increased chemical consumption occur due to oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses carbon dioxide to create an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation of mineral surfaces and apparatus components. By eliminating oxygen from the flotation environment, the system prevents corrosion of equipment and reduces consumption of flotation chemicals that would otherwise be required to compensate for oxidized surfaces, while the oxygen displacement system remains relatively simple using standard gas handling equipment
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 enhances process control, reduces chemical usage, improves mineral separation efficiency, and stabilizes tailings, while also improving water balance predictability and reducing dissolved substances in process waters.
Implementation Method 1
The beneficiation system comprises at least one inlet for carbon dioxide gas and/or pressurised carbon dioxide oversaturated water through which carbon dioxide gas and/or pressurised carbon dioxide oversaturated water are transferred from the carbon dioxide beneficiation unit to one or more of the process steps
Implementation Method 2
block A comprising a carbon dioxide supply and circulation system for producing and/or moving carbon dioxide gas and/or carbon dioxide oversaturated water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for a beneficiation process of minerals wherein: ore which contains valuable ore of too large a particle size is returned to a comminuting step, and the ore of the desired particle size is directed onwards to the following step of the method, where the comminuted ore is beneficiated by flotation for separating valuable minerals; and, in order to displace oxygen, carbon dioxide oversaturated water and/or carbon dioxide gas is fed to at least one of the following process steps: ore comminution, classification of commi¬nuted ore, intermediate step between comminution and classification, feeding of the comminution and/or classification.