Polyol-Modified Collector for Iron Ore Flotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current iron ore flotation processes face challenges in achieving high iron recovery rates while maintaining low silica content, especially at low temperatures, and struggle with froth volume and collapse efficiency, which affects storage and throughput in mining operations.
Innovation Solution
A collector composition comprising an alkyl ether amine and/or an alkyl ether diamine combined with a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol, such as ethylene glycol or glycerol, is used in reverse iron ore flotation, enhancing recovery rates, selectivity, and froth collapse efficiency, even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional alkyl ether amines are used as collectors in reverse froth flotation, then silicate removal is achieved, but iron recovery rate is insufficient and silica content in concentrate remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite collector system combining alkyl ether amine or diamine with specific polyols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentanediol, neopentyl glycol, hexanediol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, or triethylene glycol). This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the polyol component enhances the collecting agent's ability to selectively adsorb on silicate surfaces while maintaining iron ore particles in the concentrate, thereby simultaneously improving silica removal and iron recovery rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the collector system by introducing polyols with specific molecular structures and properties. The polyols change the surface chemistry and interaction mechanisms between the collector and mineral surfaces, enabling optimized selectivity for silicate removal while preserving iron recovery. The specific polyol components alter the collector's adsorption characteristics and froth stability parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If froth volume is increased to improve separation, then silicate removal efficiency increases, but storage requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the froth by incorporating polyols into the collector system. The polyols modify froth stability, bubble size distribution, and collapse characteristics, enabling effective separation with reduced froth volume. This allows maintaining high separation efficiency while reducing storage space requirements and simplifying operational procedures.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If flotation process operates at low temperatures, then energy consumption decreases, but collector performance and froth stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the collector system parameters by adding polyols that remain effective at low temperatures. The polyols adjust the collector's solubility, adsorption kinetics, and froth stability characteristics to maintain reliable performance in cold conditions. This enables the flotation process to operate efficiently at lower temperatures without sacrificing collector effectiveness or froth stability.
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 use of this collector composition increases iron recovery rates, maintains low silica content, reduces froth volume, and allows for faster froth collapse, improving operational efficiency and throughput in mining processes, particularly in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The negatively charged silicate can be hydrophobized using suitable amphiphilic amines which attach to the silicate surface
Implementation Method 2
Injection of air in a flotation cell containing an aqueous suspension of the treated ore leads to formation of gas bubbles. These hydrophobic gas bubbles collect the hydrophobized silicate particles and transport them to the top of the flotation cell
Implementation Method 3
This process provides a favorable foaming behavior and it is feasible at low temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Collector and process for reverse froth flotation of iron ore. This invention relates to use of a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol having two or three hydroxyl groups for improving the collector performance of a collector composition for the reverse iron ore flotation comprising at least one alkyl ether amine of formula (I) and/or alkyl ether diamine of formula (II) R1-(0-A)-NH2 (I) R2-(0-A)-NH-R3-NH2 (II) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbyl group with 6 to 24 carbon atoms, R2 is a hydrocarbyl group with 6 to 24 carbon atoms, R3 is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl group with 2 to 4 carbon atoms A is an alkylene group with 2 to 6 carbon atoms.