Hydroxamic Acid Collector Composition for Mineral Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineral flotation processes using hydroxamic acids face challenges with solid or paste forms being difficult to handle, causing safety hazards and leading to increased frothing and flotation of unwanted gangue minerals due to high pH and surfactant or oil-based solvents.
Innovation Solution
Development of hydroxamic acid compositions in a water-soluble organic solvent with low water, surfactant, and toxicity content, allowing for safer handling and improved mineral separation by forming a stable froth phase without unwanted gangue mineral flotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydroxamic acid is provided as a solid or paste product, then the collector composition has high concentration and low water content, but the product is difficult to handle and requires transformation into aqueous solution before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the hydroxamic acid from solid/paste to liquid form by dissolving it in water-miscible solvents, thereby improving handling ease while maintaining adequate concentration levels suitable for flotation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water-miscible solvents as intermediary substances to dissolve the hydroxamic acid, creating a liquid composition that facilitates easy handling and dosing while the solvent acts as a carrier that does not interfere with the flotation process
2Ease of operation
If hydroxamic acid is dissolved in water to improve handling, then the product becomes easier to dose, but the pH must be maintained at least 11 which creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water-miscible solvents as intermediaries to dissolve hydroxamic acid at lower pH levels, replacing the need for high pH aqueous solutions while maintaining solubility and ease of dosing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pH parameter from ≥11 to lower values by utilizing water-miscible solvents that allow dissolution of hydroxamic acid without requiring highly alkaline conditions, thereby eliminating safety hazards
3Stability of the object's composition
If water-immiscible hydrocarbon solvents are used to dissolve hydroxamic acid, then the collector composition remains stable, but frothing increases and unwanted gangue minerals are floated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water-miscible solvents as intermediary substances that are compatible with the flotation process, replacing water-immiscible hydrocarbons that cause harmful frothing and gangue flotation while maintaining composition stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent polarity parameter from water-immiscible to water-miscible, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of increased frothing and gangue mineral flotation while maintaining adequate composition stability
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 hydroxamic acid compositions in liquid form enhance mineral flotation performance by reducing frothing, improving concentrate grade, and increasing metal recovery, while ensuring operator safety with reduced pH hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The hydroxamic acid compositions in liquid form enhance mineral flotation performance by reducing frothing, improving concentrate grade, and increasing metal recovery
Data Source
AI summary
Collector compositions C for mineral flotation, which include at least one of a hydroxamic acid A, and/or a salt S of a hydroxamic acid A solubilized in a water-soluble organic solvent L, and processes for using same for recovering sulfide and/or oxide minerals in mineral flotation processes are provided herewith.