pH Modifier Promoter for Phosphate Flotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing alkaline froth flotation process faces challenges with selectivity, high consumption, and environmental concerns related to traditional pH modifiers, which limit the recovery and grade of desired minerals in concentrates.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous solution combining sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sulfonated surfactants, anionic polymers, and water is used as a pH modifier-promoter to enhance the flotation performance, replacing traditional alkaline pH modifiers and silica depressants, thereby improving recovery and selectivity in phosphate flotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional alkaline pH modifiers (caustic soda, soda ash, lime) are used in flotation process, then the flotation process can proceed at alkaline pH, but the selectivity and grade of desired minerals in concentrates deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pH modification function with flotation promotion function into a single reagent system. The复合型 pH modifier contains multiple components (sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, sulfosuccinamates, and anionic polymers) that work synergistically to both maintain alkaline pH and enhance selective flotation, eliminating the need for separate pH modifiers and improving concentrate grade while maintaining recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The invented pH modifier performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pH modifier to maintain alkaline conditions, as a flotation promoter to enhance bubble-mineral attachment, and as a selective agent to improve separation. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both high recovery and high grade in a single process stage
2Reliability
If traditional alkaline pH modifiers are used in large quantities, then the flotation process can be maintained, but reagent consumption increases and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the pH modifier from traditional single-component alkaline agents to a复合型 system with specific ratios of sulfonated surfactants, fatty acids, and anionic polymers. This parameter change enables the reagent to perform multiple functions at lower dosages, reducing consumption while maintaining process stability and reducing environmental impact
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 solution increases the recovery and grade of phosphate concentrates while reducing reagent consumption and environmental impact, demonstrating improved performance in laboratory and pilot plant trials compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
Froth flotation is the most widely used industrial process for the separation of finely divided minerals. The flotation process involves chemical treatment on the surface of a finely divided ore in a water pulp to create conditions favorable on the surface for the attachment of certain of the mineral particles to air bubbles.
Implementation Method 2
The flotation process involves chemical treatment on the surface of a finely divided ore in a water pulp to create conditions favorable on the surface for the attachment of certain of the mineral particles to air bubbles.
Implementation Method 3
one or more than one of the sulfonated surfactant products, such as sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, and also sulfosuccinamates
Implementation Method 4
Some of the most used collectors, such as fatty acids and their derivatives, are thought to be effective collectors for oxidized mineral ores.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to the pH modifier in alkaline froth flotation processes to treat oxide and semi-soluble salt ores, such as phosphates, sulfates, carbonates and halides, to increase the recovery while generally maintaining or improving selectivity, thus the grade of desired minerals. The invented pH modifier is used to replace traditional alkaline pH modifiers - hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, lime and ammonia in anionic flotation processes. The pH modifier is aqueous solution, comprised of combinations of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium silicate, along with sulfonated surfactant products, such as sulfonated petroleum oil, fatty acids, alkylates, ethoxylated alcohol ethers, and also sulfosuccinamates; and anionic polymers. The pH modifier is also used as a promoter for anionic collectors and as a depressant for gangue minerals.