Mercaptide Microemulsion Collectors for Water-Compatible Froth Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collectors used in froth flotation processes are hydrophobic and immiscible with water, leading to suboptimal interactions with concentrate particles and limiting the selectivity and efficiency of mineral recovery, particularly for metals like Cu, Mo, Pb, Co, Zn, Ni, Au, Ag, Pt, and Rh.
Innovation Solution
The use of mercaptide microemulsions, formed by transforming mercaptan thiol groups into ionic thiolates, enhances compatibility with water and increases interfacial area, allowing for improved recovery and selectivity in froth flotation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic collectors are used in froth flotation processes, then collector effectiveness in adhering to concentrate particles is improved, but compatibility with water and dispersion in slurry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the chemical state of the collector from hydrophobic mercaptan (R-SH) to ionic thiolate salt (R-S⁻M⁺) by changing the chemical parameter of the thiol group. This parameter change enables the collector to be compatible with water while maintaining its effectiveness in adhering to concentrate particles, resolving the contradiction between collector effectiveness and water compatibility.
2Reliability
If hydrophobic collectors are used in froth flotation processes, then collector effectiveness in adhering to concentrate particles is improved, but dispersion in slurry and selectivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the chemical parameter from neutral hydrophobic mercaptan to ionic thiolate salt, the patent achieves improved dispersion in aqueous slurry. The ionic nature of the thiolate salt enhances its ability to disperse uniformly in water, which improves selectivity and overall productivity of the flotation process while maintaining collector effectiveness.
3Reliability
If heavy mercaptans are used as collectors, then collector activity is improved, but perceived odor deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ionic thiolate salts as an intermediary form of heavy mercaptans. The thiolate salt form maintains the collector activity of the original mercaptan but eliminates the strong odor associated with heavy mercaptans. This intermediary form allows the process to benefit from high collector activity while avoiding the harmful odor factor.
4Reliability
If hydrophobic collectors are used in froth flotation processes, then collector effectiveness is improved, but interfacial area and recovery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation from hydrophobic mercaptan to ionic thiolate salt changes the physical-chemical parameters of the collector, enabling better dispersion and increased interfacial area in the aqueous slurry. This increased interfacial area provides more contact points for concentrate particles, thereby improving recovery while maintaining collector effectiveness.
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 mercaptide microemulsions provide enhanced recovery and selectivity of valuable minerals by reducing odor and improving compatibility with water, resulting in higher concentrate recovery and lower gangue content.
Implementation Method 1
the activity improves due to the increased interfacial area typical of microstructures
Implementation Method 2
Frothing agents or frothers are chemicals added to the process which have the ability to change the surface tension of a liquid such that the properties of the sparging bubbles are modified
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and composition for improving a froth flotation process for the removal of mineral values from aqueous solutions. The method uses mercaptide microemulsions to improve the separation effectiveness of a collector. The present invention provides a method of enhancing the performance of a collector in a froth flotation separation of mineral ore in a medium, the method comprising the steps of: forming a slurry by blending a collector microemulsion, the mineral ore in a medium, and optionally other additives, —and removing concentrate from the ore by sparging the slurry; wherein the collector microemulsion comprises a continuous phase which is an aqueous carrier fluid and a dispersed phase comprises a mercaptide.