Flotation Collector Composition for Ultra-Fine Silicate Ores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flotation processes struggle with the beneficiation of ores containing ultra-fine friable silicates like clays and serpentine, as these particles bind to valuable minerals, preventing their flotation and activating undesired minerals, leading to reduced separation efficiency and yield.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine and/or alkoxylated hexamethylene diamine is used in low amounts to enhance the beneficiation of ores, reducing Fe2O3 impurities and improving the concentration of valuable minerals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flotation collectors are used on ores containing ultra-fine friable silicates, then the valuable minerals can be floated, but the ultra-fine silicate particles bind to the crystal surfaces and prevent flotation or activate undesired minerals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific collector composition comprising cationic surfactants (quaternary ammonium salts with alkylene oxide-amine adducts) as intermediary substances that selectively interact with ultra-fine silicate particles. These collectors act as mediators by preferentially adsorbing onto silicate surfaces through electrostatic and chemical interactions, forming a protective layer that prevents silicate binding to valuable mineral surfaces while still allowing flotation of target minerals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the flotation system by using collectors with specific molecular structures (quaternary ammonium salts combined with alkylene oxide-amine adducts where the sum of alkylene oxide groups is 10-40). This parameter change in collector chemistry enables selective interaction with silicate particles, transforming the flotation behavior from non-selective to highly selective, thereby resolving the contradiction between recovering valuable minerals and preventing silicate interference.
2Manufacturing precision
If grinding is performed to liberate valuable components, then valuable minerals can be separated, but ultra-fine particles are generated that bind to crystal surfaces and reduce separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ultra-fine silicate particles into a beneficial outcome by using collectors that specifically target and modify silicate surfaces. The fine grinding that generates problematic ultra-fine particles is transformed into an advantage because the collector composition is designed to work effectively with these fine particles, selectively modifying their surface properties to prevent them from interfering with valuable mineral flotation while maintaining the liberation benefits of fine grinding.
3Productivity
If magnetic particles are added for separation, then some separation can be achieved, but the binding strength between magnetic particles and ore is insufficient for high yield and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite collector system combining quaternary ammonium salts with alkylene oxide-amine adducts, creating a synergistic material system that provides both strong adsorption capability and selective binding. This composite approach enhances the effective binding strength between collector and mineral surfaces, analogous to improving magnetic particle attachment by using a composite collection mechanism that combines electrostatic, chemical, and hydrophobic interactions.
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 composition achieves high yield and grade concentration of valuable minerals while minimizing the flotation of undesired minerals, thereby enhancing the overall separation efficiency and recovery process.
Implementation Method 1
a composition comprising alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine and/or alkoxylated hexamethylene diamine is used in low amounts to enhance the beneficiation of ores, reducing Fe2O3 impurities
Implementation Method 2
These ultra-fine particles such as silicates could bind to the crystal surfaces of the valuable minerals and prevent them from being floated, or else activate the floatation of undesired minerals
Implementation Method 3
the beneficiation of minerals through flotation requires grinding of the ore to liberate valuable components
Data Source
AI summary
Presently claimed invention is directed to a collector composition for the beneficiation of a mineral comprising at least one component (A) selected from the group consisting of anionic (A1) surfactants, cationic (A2) surfactants, ampholytic (A3) surfactants and non-ionic surfactants (A4), and at least one component (B) selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine (B1) and alkoxylated hexamethylene diamine (B2).