Low-Sulfur Iron Ore Flotation Using Xanthate and Amine Salt Collectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing sulfur content in low-quality iron ores to 0.08% or less are costly and inefficient, particularly when using high amounts of collectors, and lack effective techniques for ores with sulfur content between 0.08% and 2%, as they do not address the specific challenges of pyrrhotite oxidation and impurity separation.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a xanthate-based compound and a salt of an amine compound as collectors, optionally with a substance that releases sulfur ions in water as an activator, to efficiently separate and reduce sulfur content in iron ores, conducted at a pH between 4 and 7, which synergistically enhances sulfur removal and reduces treatment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a xanthate-based compound is used as a collector to reduce sulfur content in iron ore, then the sulfur content can be reduced to 0.08% or less, but the cost increases due to the use of large amounts of collector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a salt of an amine compound as an intermediary substance that enhances the effectiveness of the xanthate-based collector. The amine salt modifies the surface properties of pyrrhotite, improving collector adsorption and reducing the quantity of xanthate needed to achieve the same sulfur removal effect, thereby lowering costs while maintaining high purification precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the pH range to 4-7, which is the optimal parameter window for the synergistic action between xanthate-based collector and amine salt. Within this pH range, the collector's effectiveness is maximized while minimizing the required dosage, thus achieving both low sulfur content (0.08% or less) and cost efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If a xanthate-based compound is used as a collector to remove sulfur from iron ore, then the sulfur content is reduced, but pyrrhotite oxidation occurs which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by controlling the pH environment to 4-7 before adding the collector, which prevents pyrrhotite oxidation from occurring in the first place. This preventive measure eliminates the complexity of dealing with oxidized pyrrhotite that would otherwise require additional processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The amine salt acts as a protective intermediary that forms a stable complex with pyrrhotite surface, preventing oxidation while enhancing collector adsorption. This dual function simplifies the overall process by eliminating oxidation-related complications while maintaining effective sulfur removal
3Manufacturing precision
If high-quality iron ores are used to meet demand, then the quality is maintained, but it becomes difficult to procure sufficient quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes sulfur impurities from low-quality iron ore through flotation using the xanthate-based collector and amine salt combination. This extraction process transforms low-quality ore into high-quality concentrate, effectively creating sufficient supply of high-quality iron ore from abundant low-quality resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves dramatic quality transformation by controlling the sulfur content parameter to 0.08% or less through optimized flotation conditions. This parameter control enables low-quality ore to be upgraded to high-quality standards, increasing both quality and availability simultaneously
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 process effectively reduces sulfur content in iron ores to 0.08% or less, minimizing waste treatment burdens and achieving a lower cost solution by optimizing collector usage and preventing pyrrhotite oxidation during flotation.
Implementation Method 1
flotation is a process for beneficiation in which air bubbles are supplied to an aqueous suspension containing fine iron ore particles, and particles of a specific kind only are caused to adhere to the air bubbles and selectively float and are thus separated
Implementation Method 2
a xanthate-based compound and a salt of an amine compound are used as collectors
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing an iron ore having a sulfur content reduced to 0.08% or less, which includes a step of subjecting an iron ore containing sulfur in an amount of more than 0.08% and 2% or less to a flotation. The flotation satisfies any one of the following (1) to (3): (1) a xanthate-based compound and a salt of an amine compound are used as collectors, (2) a xanthate-based compound is used as a collector and a substance which releases a sulfur ion in water is used as an activator, or (3) a xanthate-based compound and a salt of an amine compound are used as collectors and a substance which releases a sulfur ion in water is used as an activator.