Polymeric Mineral Binding Agents for Flotation Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flotation method for separating valuable minerals from gangue minerals is inefficient for larger particle sizes and often requires multiple stages, leading to economic losses and destruction of collector chemicals during smelting.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a polymeric material with a mineral binding moiety that selectively binds to metal-containing minerals, allowing for their separation from gangue minerals, which can be integrated into existing flotation processes or used independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flotation method is used for separating minerals, then separation of valuable minerals from gangue is achieved, but recovery efficiency decreases for larger particle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the flotation system by introducing collector chemicals that form hydrophobic complexes with mineral surfaces. This chemical modification enables larger particles (up to 2mm) to attach to air bubbles effectively, overcoming the gravitational limitation that previously restricted flotation to finer particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure consisting of air bubbles coated with collector chemicals that selectively bind to valuable mineral particles. This composite bubble-mineral-collector system enables efficient attachment and transport of larger particles that would otherwise be too heavy to float.
2Reliability
If multiple stages of flotation are used to improve separation, then gangue recovery in froth is reduced, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical selectivity parameters by using specific collector chemicals that strongly preferentially adsorb onto valuable mineral surfaces compared to gangue minerals. This enhanced chemical selectivity achieves high-purity separation in a single stage, eliminating the need for multiple sequential flotation stages.
3Productivity
If collector chemicals are used in flotation, then selective attachment of values to bubbles is achieved, but collector chemicals are destroyed during subsequent smelting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and recovers the collector chemicals from the flotation process stream before smelting occurs. By separating the collector chemicals from the concentrated mineral product, they can be reused in subsequent flotation operations, preventing their destruction in smelting while maintaining separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a recovery system where collector chemicals that would otherwise be discarded or destroyed during smelting are instead captured and regenerated. This allows the same collector chemicals to be reused multiple times, reducing material loss and operational costs.
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
This approach enhances the recovery of larger particle sizes and allows for the recovery and reuse of collector chemicals, improving economic efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
achieve a contact between the mixture of minerals and a polymeric material that includes a mineral binding moiety which selectively binds to the metal containing mineral
Implementation Method 2
The pulp is aerated so as to produce air bubbles in the flotation cell which rise to the surface of the pulp to form a froth
Implementation Method 3
Collector chemicals are added to the pulp which adsorb on to mineral surfaces, rendering them hydrophobic. The presence of the collector chemical is vital because it selectively adsorbs on to the surface of the values, rendering the values particles hydrophobic and thereby facilitating attachment to the bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention there is provided a method of processing a mixture of minerals including the steps of:(a) providing a mixture of minerals which includes a metal containing mineral and one or more unwanted gangue minerals;(b) achieving a contact between the mixture of minerals and polymeric material that includes a mineral binding moiety which selectively binds to the metal containing mineral; and(c) separating the gangue minerals and the polymeric material which has the metal containing mineral bound thereto.