Polyester Polyquaternary Ammonium Collectors for Silicate Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a broader variety of environmentally friendly polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds based on renewable raw materials that are easily manufactured, with improved properties for various applications, including corrosion inhibition and mineral processing.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the reaction of alkanolamines with a mixture of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and polyols having 3-4 hydroxyl groups, followed by quaternization, to produce polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use as collectors in reverse froth flotation processes for non-sulfidic ores containing silicates as impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds are used for reverse froth flotation, then flotation process can be performed, but the environmental friendliness and renewability of raw materials is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds by using polyols with 3-4 hydroxyl groups (glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane) instead of conventional polyols, and by varying the ratio of monocarboxylic to dicarboxylic acids. This creates a series of environmentally friendly compounds with different molecular structures and flotation properties, resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polyester structures combining multiple components: polyols with 3-4 hydroxyl groups, monocarboxylic acids, and dicarboxylic acids, followed by quaternization. This composite approach generates diverse environmentally friendly compounds with improved performance characteristics for reverse froth flotation of non-sulfidic ores.
2Productivity
If reverse froth flotation is performed to separate silicates from nonsulfidic ores, then valuable minerals can be recovered, but impurities (acid-insoluble matter) remain in the concentrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds with specific local molecular structures - incorporating polyols with 3-4 hydroxyl groups that create particular spatial arrangements and functional groups. These localized structural features enhance the collector's ability to selectively adsorb onto valuable mineral surfaces while rejecting silicate impurities, achieving both high recovery and high purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by using reverse froth flotation where the collector selectively promotes the flotation of valuable non-sulfidic ores while leaving silicate impurities in the gangue. The polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds achieve this inverted separation by their specific molecular structure, achieving high purity concentrates with low acid-insoluble matter content.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds are synthesized from renewable raw materials, then environmental friendliness is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synthesis process into distinct, manageable steps: (1) esterification of polyols with 3-4 hydroxyl groups with monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids to form polyester intermediates, and (2) quaternization of the polyester with alkyl halides or sulfonates. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of environmentally friendly compounds by breaking down the complex synthesis into routine, well-controlled reactions using readily available renewable raw materials.
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 resulting compounds achieve high yield and selectivity in the reverse froth flotation of non-sulfidic ores, particularly apatite, with low acid-insoluble matter content, enhancing the recovery of valuable minerals while minimizing impurities.
Implementation Method 1
the use of the above-mentioned polyester polyquaternary ammonium compounds, obtainable by the condensation of a polyol having 3-4 hydroxyl groups, preferably glycerol, a dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, a fatty acid, and an alkanolamine, and where the condensation product has been quaternised by a suitable alkylating agent
Implementation Method 2
reverse froth flotation of silicates from nonsulfidic ores
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compound obtainable by the condensation of a polyol having 3-4 hydroxyl groups, adicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, an alkanolamine and a fatty acid, followed by reaction with an alkylating agent. This compound is useful as a collector in a process for the reverse froth flotation of non-sulfidic ores containing silicate as impurities, especially phosphate ores.