Dimeric Nitrile Collector for Copper Sulfide Ore Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a continued need for better collectors in the processing of metal or mineral ores, particularly copper and sulfide ores, to improve separation efficiency and reduce the detrimental effects of gangue minerals, which are difficult to separate and can impair refining processes and product quality.
Innovation Solution
A collector composition comprising a dimeric nitrile, formed by reacting dimeric fatty acids with ammonia and removing water to produce a dimeric amide, which is then used in conjunction with other collectors such as xanthates or frothers to treat metallic sulphide ores, reducing the need for depressants like lime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional collectors like xanthate or dithiophosphate are used with lime depressant to treat copper sulfide ores containing pyrite, then pyrite can be depressed and copper can be floated, but large quantities of lime (e.g., 1,000 g/t) are required which removes copper ions from solution and can activate pyrite surface, and the process complexity and reagent consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for lime depressant from the conventional flotation process by introducing a novel collector composition containing dimeric nitrile, dimeric amine, and monomeric nitrile in specific ratios. This new collector system inherently provides pyrite depression capability without requiring external depressant chemicals, thereby simplifying the process while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite collector system comprising multiple nitrile compounds (dimeric nitrile, dimeric amine, and monomeric nitrile) in optimized proportions. This composite formulation combines the advantages of different nitrile structures to achieve both copper flotation and pyrite depression functions simultaneously, replacing the conventional combination of separate collector and depressant chemicals.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lime is added as a depressant to reduce pyrite flotation, then pyrite hydrophobicity is reduced, but copper ions are removed from solution and pyrite surface may be activated, requiring continuous addition of large amounts of lime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive and problematic lime depressant with a more efficient collector composition that provides depressant effect as an inherent property rather than requiring continuous addition of large quantities of chemical additives. The nitrile-based collector system achieves pyrite depression with minimal reagent consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the flotation system by introducing nitrile compounds with specific molecular structures (dimeric and monomeric forms) that alter the surface chemistry of both copper minerals and pyrite. This parameter change enables selective flotation through molecular-level interactions rather than relying on bulk chemical addition of lime.
3Productivity
If the hydrophobic component in nitrile collectors has 11 or more carbons to improve flotation efficiency of copper sulfide and precious metals, then recovery and grade improve, but the complexity of collector selection and optimization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying particular structural characteristics for each component of the collector system: dimeric nitrile with long hydrophobic chains for primary flotation efficiency, dimeric amine for enhanced depression capability, and monomeric nitrile for complementary action. Each component's specific molecular structure is optimized for its particular function within the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the collector system into three distinct functional components (dimeric nitrile, dimeric amine, monomeric nitrile) with specific molecular structures and ratios. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function while working synergistically, providing both high flotation efficiency and adaptability to different ore types.
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 dimeric nitrile collector composition enhances the recovery and grade of valuable minerals like copper, gold, and zinc, achieving superior flotation results without the need for lime depressants, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of the ore processing.
Implementation Method 1
Particle hydrophobicity is, in turn, induced by special chemicals called collectors. In direct flotation systems, it is the economically valuable minerals which are rendered hydrophobic by the action of the collector.
Implementation Method 2
a collector composition comprising a dimeric nitrile... The dimeric nitrile collector composition enhances the recovery and grade of valuable minerals like copper, gold, and zinc
Implementation Method 3
It is based on the ability of air bubbles to selectively attach on those particles that were previously rendered hydrophobic. The particle-bubble combinations then rise to the froth phase from where they are discharged from the flotation cell
Implementation Method 4
Froth flotation is a physico-chemical process used to separate mineral particles considered economically valuable from those considered waste
Data Source
AI summary
A process to treat metal or mineral ores is disclosed. The metal or mineral ore is a metallic sulphide ore including copper, gold, platinum, silver, nickel, molybdenum, arsenic sulphides, cobalt, zinc, lead, tin, antimony, or combinations thereof with a collector composition including a dimeric fatty nitrile. The dimeric fatty nitrile is prepared by a process including reacting a dimer fatty acid with ammonia at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 400° C. to form a dimeric amide and removing water from the dimeric amide to form the dimeric nitrile. The present disclosure also provides a collector composition containing the dimeric fatty nitrile and at least one further collector or frother compound.