Abstract:
A method of removing metal particles from a contaminated metalworking fluid comprising emulsion droplets and metal particles includes pressurizing a first clean metalworking fluid with gas to provide an aerated metalworking fluid; releasing the pressure of the aerated metalworking fluid to form a plurality of bubbles; applying a shear force to the contaminated metalworking fluid to separate the emulsion droplets from the metal particles; flowing the contaminated metalworking fluid with the aerated metalworking fluid in a laminar flow to form a combined fluid, wherein the flowing occurs during the formation of the plurality of bubbles and while the emulsion droplets are separated from the metal particles, and wherein the laminar flow lasts for a time sufficient for the plurality of bubbles to attach to the metal particles; releasing the combined fluid into a flotation tank; and removing the metal particles to form a second clean metalworking fluid.
Abstract:
In a method for recovering a copper sulfide concentrate by froth flotation from an ore containing an iron sulfide, wet grinding of the ore with grinding media made of high chromium cast iron alloy having a chromium content of from 10 to 35% by weight is combined with an addition of hydrogen peroxide to the conditioned mineral pulp before or during flotation in order to improve concentrate grade and recovery of copper sulfides.
Abstract:
In a method for recovering a copper sulfide concentrate by froth flotation from an ore containing an iron sulfide, hydrogen peroxide is added to the conditioned mineral pulp before or during flotation in an amount effective to lower the redox potential of the conditioned mineral pulp in order to improve concentrate grade and recovery of copper sulfides.
Abstract:
A method of controlling operation of a froth flotation cell comprises introducing gas into a liquid in the cell, thereby to create a froth on the surface of the liquid, which froth overflows and leaves the cell at an overflow point, wherein the froth has a froth height from the level of the overflow point to the upper surface of the froth, measuring values of the froth height for two values of gas flow rate into the cell, measuring values the velocity at which the froth overflows at the overflow point for two values of gas flow rate into the cell, calculating a gas flow rate into the cell that optimises gas recovery, by treating the measured values of froth height and measured values of froth velocity independently, and setting the gas flow rate into the cell to be the calculated flow rate into the cell that optimises gas recovery.
Abstract:
Copper values are efficiently recovered from a copper ore, including secondary sulfides, by first crushing the ore to a particle size P-80 of about 1 to 2 inches, then grinding the so crushed ore to a particle size P-80 of between Tyler 4 mesh and 20 mesh, and then classifying the ground ore into a fines fraction of less than 65 mesh and one or more coarse fractions of more than 65 mesh. The fines are then leached or subjected to flotation to form a concentrate which is leached to form a pregnant leach solution. In parallel, the coarse fraction or fractions are leached also to form a pregnant leach solution. The leaching operations are carried out with ferric sulfate lixiviant at atmospheric pressure and elevated temperature. During leaching ferric sulfate is reduced to ferrous sulfate. The pregnant leach solutions are then subjected to solvent extraction to recover the copper values and subsequently to electrowinning to produce copper metal. During the solvent extraction operation, free sulfuric acid is produced and is then used together with oxygen to oxidize the ferrous sulfate produced during the leaching steps back to ferric sulfate with is then re-used in the leaching of the fines and coarse fractions.
Abstract:
Kaolin clays are conditioned for the removal of colored titaniferous impurities by (A) first mixing the kaolin clay with a collector to condition the impurities, in the absence of a dispersant, but in the presence of sufficient water to yield a mixture having a solids content of at least 65 percent by weight and (B) then deflocculating the kaolin clay mixture at a pH of at least 4.0 with a dispersant in amounts sufficient to yield a kaolin clay slurry which is suitable for subsequent processing to remove colored titaniferous impurities.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods and compositions for improving a froth flotation type separation. The method uses a microemulsion to improve the effectiveness of a frother. The improvement allows for low dosages of frother to work as well as much greater amounts of non-microemulsified frother.
Abstract:
A process for treating and dewatering tailings comprising fine clay minerals, fine silt minerals and water is provided, comprising treating the tailings with a sufficient amount of a clay surface reagent to selectively modify the surface properties of the fine clay minerals; subjecting the treated tailings to froth flotation to float a portion of the fine clay minerals and form a clay froth layer and froth flotation tails having a reduced fine clay minerals content; and recovering the clay froth layer and subjecting it to dewatering.
Abstract:
An apparatus for inducing magnetism in a flowstream of an at least partially magnetisable particulate feed material suspended in a liquid, in use to condition the flowstream to enhance the subsequent separation process, the apparatus including: a treatment chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which the flowstream respectively enters and exits the chamber; and a magnetic source within the treatment chamber, said magnetic source substantially continuously immersed in and activated with respect to the flowstream.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for the production of metallurgical grade coal and low ash coal by the combination of froth flotation and selective agglomeration.