Sulfite Conditioning for Copper Molybdenum Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating copper minerals from molybdenum minerals in mineral processing face challenges such as difficulty in setting conditions for flotation, generation of hazardous gases, and inefficiency due to strong floating natures of both minerals, as seen in existing patent methods that involve ozone oxidation, plasma treatment, and surface treatments which are not industrially scalable or effective.
Innovation Solution
A mineral processing method involving a conditioning step with sulfite as a surface treatment agent to enhance the hydrophilicity of copper minerals, adjusting the pH of the slurry to 8-11.5, and performing flotation to selectively separate copper and molybdenum minerals, with optional dispersion, dilution, and retention steps to optimize the reaction and separation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If flotation is performed using sodium hydrogensulfide as a depressant to separate copper minerals from molybdenum minerals, then separation is achieved, but hydrogen sulfide gas is generated which is hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the flotation process by using sulfite ions instead of sulfide ions as the depressant. This substitution maintains the separation function while eliminating the generation of hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas, as sulfite reactions do not produce H2S under flotation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sulfite as a consumable chemical agent that reacts and is consumed during the flotation process, replacing the problematic sodium hydrogensulfide. This disposable chemical approach achieves separation without the harmful byproducts associated with sulfide-based systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both copper minerals and molybdenum minerals are present in the slurry, then both minerals have strong floating nature, but this makes separation through flotation extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by selectively altering the surface properties of copper minerals through sulfite adsorption. The sulfite ions specifically interact with copper mineral surfaces to enhance hydrophilicity, while molybdenum minerals retain their natural hydrophobicity, creating a localized difference in surface characteristics that enables selective separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface chemical parameters of copper minerals by introducing sulfite ions that adsorb onto the copper mineral surfaces. This parameter change modifies the surface energy and wettability characteristics, creating a differential response to flotation conditions between copper and molybdenum minerals.
3Manufacturing precision
If sulfite is added to enhance hydrophilicity difference between copper and molybdenum minerals, then separation efficiency is improved, but pH control is required to maintain effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control through pH monitoring and adjustment during the flotation process. By continuously managing the pH level within the optimal range (8-11.5), the system maintains the effectiveness of sulfite as a depressant and ensures consistent separation performance, with pH serving as a key process parameter for controlling sulfite reactivity.
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 method effectively enhances the hydrophilicity difference between copper and molybdenum minerals, allowing for efficient separation through flotation, avoiding hazardous gas generation and improving industrial scalability by selectively causing molybdenum to float and copper to precipitate.
Implementation Method 1
enhances the hydrophilicity of copper minerals, allowing for efficient separation through flotation, avoiding hazardous gas generation and improving industrial scalability by selectively causing molybdenum to float and copper to precipitate
Implementation Method 2
performing flotation to selectively separate copper and molybdenum minerals, selectively causing molybdenum to float and copper to precipitate
Implementation Method 3
adjusting the pH of the slurry to 8-11.5
Data Source
AI summary
A mineral processing method capable of efficiently separating a copper mineral from a molybdenum mineral is provided. The mineral processing method includes: a conditioning step of adding sulfite as a surface treatment agent to a mineral slurry containing a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral; and a flotation step of performing flotation using the mineral slurry after the conditioning step. The hydrophilicity of the copper mineral can be selectively enhanced by sulfite, so as to be able to produce a difference in hydrophilicity between the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral. Therefore, the molybdenum mineral can be selectively caused to float, and the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be efficiently separated from each other.