Beneficiation froth flotation

Gravity concentration, ie, the separation of ore from gangue based on the differences in specific gravities, using jigs, heavy—medium separators, or spiral concentrators for example, is appHcable for lead ores. However, the predominant beneficiation technique used in modem plants is the bubble or froth flotation (qv) process (4,5). 

Mining. Numerous patents have advocated the use of alkanolamines in mining appHcations. Triethanolarnine has been used as a depressent in the flotation of copper (164), in the electrotwinning of gold (165), and as an aid in the froth flotation of nickel ores. Phosphate ore flotation has been improved through the use of a fatty acid condensate with ethanolamine (166). Beneficiation of tin ore has been accompHshed using fatty acid alkanolamides (167). 

There is some beneficiation of talc by froth flotation (qv), practiced especially on ultramafic-type deposits. In this process (Fig. 2), talc is milled to its hberation size (—100 mesh (ca 0.15 mm)) using ball mills or ring-type roUer mills and then slurried at 10—30% in water. Flotation is done in conventional multistage float cells using methyl amyl alcohol as a frother. Typically two to four stages are required to upgrade the ore from 50—70% talc to 90—98%. The product is filtered and then flash-dried and milled to a final product. 

Arbiter, N., Beneficiation of Cassiterite Ore by Froth Flotation, British Patent 1,110,643, 1968. 

To make kaolin acceptable for use, crude kaolin deposits require beneficiation to remove the associated impurities. The colored impurities, specifically titanifer-ous minerals and iron oxides, are generally removed by reverse froth flotation, high gradient magnetic separation, selective flocculation and/or leaching. 

R.H. Yoon and J. Yordan, Beneficiation of Kaolin Clay by Froth Flotation Using Hydroxamate Collectors , Minerals Engineering, 1992,5(3-5), pp. 457-467. 

Perhaps the most significant advantage of using froth flotation to beneficiate fly ash is the ability to process ash that has been impounded in disposal ponds and landfills. This is advantageous for several reasons. First, it effectively de-couples ash beneficiation from ash production. There is no need for the utility to alter disposal practices or install additional ash handling equipment in order to accommodate ash processing since the feed to the processing plant... 

In achieving solid-solid separation in mineral beneficiation, selective coatings of water insoluble or sparingly soluble reagents are required in electronic ore sorting, froth flotation, and emulsion flotation operations. 

Froth flotation of the surface-sensitized pulp by vigorous aeration and agitation in saturated brine (density ca. 1.18 g/mL), first in a series of rougher cells with further refinement in cleaner units, produces a stable froth consisting almost entirely of beneficiated potassium chloride and an underflow of sodium chloride (particle densities of 1.984 and 2.165 g/mL), respectively. Potassium chloride recoveries from sylvinite by this procedure are 90 to 95% complete [22]. 

Froth flotation is used to raise the low mineral concentrations in ores to concentrations that can be more economically processed. A concentration of 25-30% is suitable for economical smelting of copper. The froth flotation technique was originally developed in about 1910 to raise the copper concentrations of the strip-mined ores of Bingham Canyon, near Salt Lake City [9], and was further perfected for the differential separation of lead, zinc, and iron sulfides at Trail, B.C., at about the same time [10]. Flotation technologies are now widely used for separations such as the beneficiation of low grade Florida phosphate ores from 30-40% to 60-70% concentrations of calcium phosphate (BPL), and the separation of about 98% potassium chloride from sylvinite, a natural mixture of potassium and sodium chlorides. It is also used for bitumen separation from tar sand, removal of slate from coal, and removal of ink from repulped paper stock preparatory to the manufacture of recycled paper stock. More details of these separations are discussed in the relevant chapters. 

Froth flotation, considered to be a higher level of sophistication in beneficiation, is also based on differences in mineralogical properties. Based upon particle surface... 

An immense deposit of medium- to low-quality magnesite exists in Steven County, Washington, which was exploited by the Northwest Magnesite Company during World War I. Operations were centered on the towns of Chewelah and Valley. It was here that the first use of froth flotation to beneficiate magnesite was employed to reduce silica and lime content. 

Beneficiation In mineral processing, any process that results in a product having an improved desired mineral content. Example froth flotation. 

Froth flotation separating the minerals according to their relative wettability in aqueous solution (chemical beneficiation)... 

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