Abstract: Provided is a method involving flotation of a feed of platinum group metal ore material to prepare a platinum group metal concentrate during mineral processing operations. Prior to and/or during the flotation, a lead-containing activator reagent and a xanthate collector reagent are added to the slurry and during the flotation, an oxygen-deficient flotation gas, such as nitrogen gas, is used.

Abstract: Agent for dressing phosphate ores

Abstract: There is proposed a composition for the flotation of useful minerals, comprising a frother based on dimethyl(isopropenylethynyl)carbinol and a collector, the frother, for improving the technological flotation characteristics, having the following chemical composition, in wt. %: dimethyl(isopropenylethynyl)carbinol, 95.0-98.0; tetramethylbutynediol, 0.1-1.5; diisopropenylacetylene, 0.1-1.0; 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-hexadien-3-one, 1.5-2.5.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of improving the separation of mineral values from their associated gangue. The method itself involves the addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the froth flotation process which enhances the ore recovery. The treatment reagents of the method of the present invention comprise water-soluble organophosphonates which when added to the flotation feed slurry enhance the recovery of ore values thertefrom. The organophosphonate treatment reagent may be used alone or in combination with a polymeric dispersant.

Abstract: A novel method for producing fly ash material with a range of particle sizes from about 2.0 to about 4.0 &mgr;m is provided utilizing superplasticizers. The method produces fly ash material suitable for use as filler material in the plastics industry and super pozzolan for the concrete industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphate ore beneficiation process, which includes a method to float inadequately de-oiled phosphate particles prior to silica flotation. It is emphasized that this abstract is being provided to comply with the rule requiring an abstract that will allow examiners and searchers to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosures. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, as promised by the Patent Office's Rule 1.72(b) for abstracts.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of improving the separation of mineral values from their associated gangue. The method itself involves the addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the froth flotation process which enhances the ore recovery. The treatment reagents of the method of the present invention comprise water-soluble organophosphonates which when added to the flotation feed slurry enhance the recovery of ore values thertefrom. The organophosphonate treatment reagent may be used alone or in combination with a polymeric dispersant.

Abstract: A process for activating a zinc-containing ore for flotation in aqueous media, wherein an ammonium-free aqueous cupric chloride solution is added to the media.

Abstract: Collector compositions of a mixture of a C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid and an oil for use in a method the removal of impurities from mineral ores by the froth flotation method. The collectors are prepared by reacting an ester of a C6 to C22 fatty acid with a hydroxylamine salt and a base in the presence of an oil and water to produce an alkyl hydroxamate salt; acidifying the alkyl hydroxamate salt, forming an organic layer and an aqueous layer, wherein the organic layer contains a C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid substantially free of starting esters and hydrolysis and transesterification products of the ester; and separating the organic layer from the aqueous layer to provide a collector composition of the C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid and the oil.

Abstract: A process for separating minerals of different mineralogical character. A milled slurry or flotation concentrate is subjected to a first conditioning step (20) followed by a first flotation step (30) followed by a second conditioning step (50) followed by a second flotation step (60). One of the conditioning steps is with an oxidising gas, the other of the conditioning steps being with a non-oxidising gas and an oxidisable surface modifying reagent. The process allows separation of mixtures of valuable minerals by tailoring both the first and second conditioning steps and first and second flotation steps to particular mixed mineral ores.

Abstract: A process is described for separating particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to reduce the density of one or more of the components of the feed. A novel feature of this process is aeration of a hindered-bed of solids in a fluidized-bed separator to create particle/bubble agglomerates that can be separated based on the principal of gravity. This approach offers an improvement in process efficiency that cannot be achieved by other processes. Air and water are mixed in a shear device before the aerated fluidized water is introduced to the separation chamber.

Abstract: Collector compositions of a mixture of a C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid and an oil for use in a method for the removal of impurities from mineral ores by the froth flotation method. The collectors are prepared by reacting an ester of a C6 to C22 fatty acid with a hydroxylamine salt and a base in the presence of an oil and water to produce an alkyl hydroxamate salt; acidifying the alkyl hydroxamate salt, forming an organic layer and an aqueous layer, wherein the organic layer contains a C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid substantially free of starting esters and hydrolysis and transesterification products of the ester; and separating the organic layer from the aqueous layer to provide a collector composition of the C6 to C22 fatty hydroxamic acid and the oil.

Abstract: A method for optimising a mineral recovery process. A slurry 10 is fed to a conditioning step 20. The condition slurry 30 is then provided to a flotation circuit 40 to recover a concentrate 50. The remainder of the slurry is then rejected as tail 60 or passed for further processing. The present invention provides apparatus for analysing a sample stream 100 of the slurry. A sample stream 100 is provided to an analysis device 200 which treats the sample with an oxidising gas similar to the oxidative treatment 20. Several parameters are measured before and/or after the oxidative treatment of the slurry. The flotability characteristic of the slurry is then determined as a function of the measured parameter(s). The result is used to optimise mineral recovery. This apparatus can be used intermittently or continuously to provide on-going optimisation of the mineral recovery circuit.

Abstract: An improved method for purifying titania contaminated kaolin clay by froth flotation which features the use an hydroxamate flotation collector at a neutral or mildly alkaline pH wherein a slurry of the impure clay is conditioned for the flotation step in a baffled conditioning apparatus provided with mean for imparting sufficient mechanical energy to heat a dispersed slurry of the impure clay before flotation.

Abstract: A system for transporting wet chips to a centrifugal separator where the wet chips are separated into dry chips and fluid with the dry chips being transported to a dry chips site and the fluid recirculated or collected. Preferably, the centrifugal separator, when actuated, serves to generate a pneumatic flow of air through a wet chip conduit whereby the wet chips are pneumatically conveyed to the separator from a source of origin such as a tooling machine station where wet chips are generated. A parts separator may be located at either end of the wet chip conduit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating phosphate minerals from a mineral mixture, particularly from high-dolomite containing phosphate ores. The method involves conditioning the mineral mixture by contacting in an aqueous in environment with a collector in an amount sufficient for promoting flotation of phosphate minerals. The collector is a hydroxamate compound of the formula; wherein R is generally hydrophobic and chosen such that the collector has solubility or dispersion properties it can be distributed in the mineral mixture, typically an alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. M is a cation, typically hydrogen, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a froth flotation system in a mineral processing operation for recovering metal from a metal source. A rule-based expert system adjusts performance of the froth flotation system.

Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a method of removing wax from recycled cellulosic fiber. The cellulosic fiber is pulped in a pulper to a suspension with a consistency of less than about 10% by weight. The suspension is then screened to remove coarse and fine contaminants. The screened suspension is diluted to a consistency of less than about 3% by weight. The wax is removed from the diluted suspension using a froth flotation device. The suspension is then washed and/or thickened.

Abstract: An improved process for the beneficiation of mixtures of mineral particles (such as kaolin clays) containing minerals which chelate with hydroxamates. The use of a silicon-containing compound in combination with a hydroxamate results in a more effective separation of minerals which chelate with the hydroxamate.

Abstract: A improved process for beneficiating kaolin clays to remove discoloring impurities is disclosed. The beneficiation of kaolin clay is improved by fractionating a kaolin clay starting material into a lower brightness first fraction having a majority of the discoloring impurities and a higher brightness second fraction with less impurities. The first fraction is then beneficiated (such as by flotation, selection flocculation, high intensity magnetic separation and/or leaching) to produce a kaolin clay product with improved optical properties. The first and second fractions may be combined to produce a product with improved optical properties.

Abstract: A process for floating fine particles containing metal values of an iron-bearing sulphide mineral ore including the steps of conditioning the aqueous pulp of ore at a pH of between about 7 and about 10 with a reducing agent which is preferably oxy-sulphur compound which dissociates to form oxy-sulphur ions having the general formula: SnOyz− where n is greater than 1; y is greater than 2; and z is the valance of the ion. A suitable collector is then added to the conditioned aqueous pulp to further condition the pulp and the pulp potential of the pulp raised to a sufficient level for the collector to adsorb onto the sulphide mineral ore. Gas is then bubbled through the aqueous pulp to subject the pulp to froth flotation. The froth from the flotation process is recovered to produce a concentrate of fine sulphide mineral and other metal values.

Abstract: An improved phosphate ore beneficiation process is disclosed which comprises the employment of a novel combination of surfactants which, when combined with fatty acid collectors, enhances recovery of phosphate minerals in anionic flotation, even when used in plant water. The disclosed surfactants include petroleum sulfonates and ethoxylated alcohol ether sulfates.

Abstract: Collector compositions of a mixture of a C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty hydroxamic acid and an oil for use in the removal of impurities from mineral ores by the froth flotation method. The collectors are prepared by reacting an ester of a C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty acid with a hydroxylamine salt and a base in the presence of an oil and water to produce an alkyl hydroxamate salt; acidifying the alkyl hydroxamate salt, forming an organic layer and an aqueous layer, wherein the organic layer contains a C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty hydroxamic acid substantially free of starting esters and hydrolysis and transesterification products of the ester; and separating the organic layer from the aqueous layer to provide a collector composition of the C.sub.6 to C.sub.22 fatty hydroxamic acid and the oil.

Abstract: A method for recovering petalite from a mixture comprising petalite and feldspar minerals comprises the steps of forming an aqueous slurry of the mixture and adding to the slurry a depressant selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal chlorides, alkali metal chlorides, and mixtures thereof. Next, a collector comprising a quaternary ammonium salt is added to the slurry. The slurry is then subjected to a froth flotation process and petalite that is substantially free of feldspar minerals is selectively recovered from the flotation process.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.

Abstract: A separation process is provided for treating a feed material comprising silica, feldspar, and metal impurities, including at least one of mica, iron impurities, or refractory heavy minerals, to form one or more products for use in making glass. In the process, the feed material is floated in the presence of a depressant to inhibit the flotation of feldspar and thereby form a concentrate containing at least most of the silica and a tailings fraction containing at least most of the feldspar. The concentrate and tailings fractions can be converted into the products by magnetically removing the metal impurities therefrom.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the consumption of alkaline pH modifier in a mineral separation circuit which employs sulfoxy radical-containing reagents. The method comprises the addition of a non-oxidizing gas to the mineral separation circuit prior to and/or simultaneously with the addition of the sulfoxy radical-containing reagent. The non-oxidizing gas is added in a quantity sufficient to achieve a chemical environment conducive to the flotation separation of minerals. The inventive process is suitable for a wide range of valuable minerals including sulfidic copper minerals or mixtures of sulfidic and non-sulfidic copper minerals, sulfidic iron minerals (particularly pyrite) and non-sulfidic gangue material. It is particularly suitable for sedimentary copper deposits, copper skarns, porphyry copper/molybdenum/gold deposits and super gene enrichments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enriching an iron mineral from a silicate-containing iron ore by carrying out, at a pH of 8-11, a froth flotation in the presence of a depressing agent for the iron mineral and a collecting agent containing a combination of an ether monoamine and an ether polyamine, which contain an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6-22 carbon atoms in a weight ratio of the ether monoamine to the ether polyamine of 1:4-4:1. The invention also discloses a composition which is suitable for use in the process.

Abstract: A froth flotation method is provided for removing carbon from fly ash which utilizes an environmental friendly conditioning agent. The conditioning agent preferably comprises a biodegradable oil which is added to a slurry containing raw fly ash and water. The conditioning agent renders the carbon in the fly ash hydrophobic such that upon aeration of the slurry, air bubbles attach to the carbon particles and carry them to the surface of the slurry in the form of a froth, such that the carbon may be removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of base metal sulfides including chalcocite, chalcopyrite, pentlandite and platinum group metal bearing mineral ores. The process involves passing a slurry of the ore through a reagent conditioning stage wherein suitable activators, collectors, frothers and/or depressants are added, further conditioning the slurry with a non-oxidizing gas in a quantity conducive to the separation of the sulfide minerals from the remainder of the ore and subsequently subjecting the slurry to a final flotation treatment with a flotation gas having a higher oxygen content than the non-oxidizing gas. The non-oxidizing gas conditioning can be carried out prior to or after the reagent conditioning stage.

Abstract: A method for reducing both reagent consumption and scale formation in a mineral separation circuit employing sulfoxy compounds as reagents. The method involves introducing into the mineral separation circuit a non-oxidizing gas in a quantity sufficient to reduce the degree of oxidation of the sulfoxy radical. Preferably the gas is introduced during the reagent conditioning and flotation stages, the stages where the presence of dissolved oxygen in a slurry is most likely to create the conditions conducive to oxidation of the sulfoxy radicals which result in reagent consumption and scale formation problems. The process is suitable for a wide range of mineral separation circuits which use sulfoxy reagents for the separation of sulfidic minerals including chalcopyrite, pentlandite, pyrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite or galena.

Abstract: Surface solids formation during sedimentation of a flocculated mineral suspension is minimised by flocculating the suspension with flocculating agent in the presence of surfactant, provided that the flocculating agent and surfactant are not counterionic.

Abstract: A process for the separation of minerals of different mineralogical character. The process involves conditioning a milled slurry or a slurry of a flotation concentrate which contains a mixture of valuable sulfidic minerals and non-sulfidic gangue material with an inert/non-oxidizing gas and/or a reducing/deoxifying agent. The conditioning is conducted to achieve a controlled dissolved oxygen content or electrochemical reduction potential conducive to the separation of the valuable sulfidic mineral, non-sulfidic gangue material. The inert/non-oxidizing gas and/or reducing/deoxifying agent may be added to the slurry in a quantity sufficient to increase rejection of the non-sulfidic gangue minerals or to improve the selectivity between the valuable sulfidic minerals and non-sulfidic gangue minerals.

Abstract: A method of increasing both flotation selectivity and effectiveness of a sulfoxy radical-containing reagent added to a mineral separation circuit. The method involves adding a non-oxidizing gas to the mineral separation circuit prior to and/or simultaneously with the addition of the sulfoxy radical-containing reagent in a quantity sufficient to achieve a chemical environment conducive to flotation separation of minerals. The process is suitable for use with a broad range of slurries and flotation concentrates having a mixture of valuable materials including sulfidic copper minerals, sulfidic and non-sulfidic copper minerals, valuable lead and/or zinc and/or nickel minerals, sulfidic iron minerals (particularly pyrite) and non-sulfidic gangue material. It is particularly suitable for polymetallic ores containing economic values of copper and/or lead and/or zinc and/or nickel which is frequently in association with iron sulfide.

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: A process for recovery of a precious metals containing mineral from a non-sulphidic gangue mineral comprising:preparing a pulp of a material containing the precious metals containing and gangue minerals;conditioning the pulp with an oxidizing gas containing a gas selected from oxygen and ozone; andsubjecting the conditioned pulp to a flotation operation for recovery of the precious metals containing mineral.

Abstract: Processes for treating fly ash to enhance the fly ash as a pozzolan for portland cement mixes and to separate therefrom a substantial carbon compound and/or to increase the fineness of the fly ash include the treatment of a fly ash slurry with ultrasonic energy using ultrasonic horns immersed in a slurry of fly ash and water and imparting to said slurry such ultrasonic energy as to cause microscopic cavities to form and implode with high localized energy to break up fly ash agglomerations along cleavage lines and to break up carbon particles and matrices which have entrapped fly ash microspheres therein to release the microspheres into the slurry. A conditioner agent may be added at or during ultrasonic treatment to enhance the flotation of the carbon compound.

Abstract: An improved phosphate ore beneficiation process is disclosed which comprises the employment of a novel combination of surfactants which, when combined with fatty acid collectors, enhances recovery of phosphate minerals in anionic flotation, even when used in plant water. The disclosed surfactants include petroleum sulfonates and ethoxylated alcohol ether sulfates.

Abstract: A froth floatation process for separating carbon from coal ash incorporates a step of screening the coal ash before the coal ash is formed into a slurry.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprised of a dialkyl aryl disulfonic acid and a collector different from the dialkyl aryl disulfonic acid are provided, said compositions being useful for beneficiation of ores. Novel methods for using compositions comprised of a dialkyl aryl disulfonic acid and a collector different from the dialkyl aryl disulfonic acid to beneficiate ores are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the production of cobalt concentrate from an ore containing metal sulfides including sulfides of lead, zinc, and cobalt. The ore is crushed and subjected to a lead and cobalt flotation to separate the lead and cobalt from the zinc and produce a bulk lead cobalt concentrate. The lead cobalt concentrate is then subjected to a cobalt flotation to separate the cobalt from the lead and produce a cobalt concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process that employs both non-selective flotation and oxidative leaching of the resulting concentrates to recover an increased amount of copper from porphyry copper ores. The non-selective flotation step uses collectors and conditions, such as pH, that are conducive to the strong flotation of sulfide minerals generally. In the oxidative leach, the copper sulfide minerals in the concentrate fraction are oxidized to copper compounds, which are soluble in the leach solution. The oxidative leach includes the use of ammonia and sulfite under agitation leaching conditions to convert the copper sulfide minerals into ammonia soluble forms.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for recovering valuable minerals using air lift concentration and progressive ore reduction. The ore is ground to a relatively coarse size, the ground ore is classified, and the underflow fraction floated to produce concentrate, middlings, and tailings fractions. The middlings fraction can be reground to liberate the valuable minerals and subjected to further air lift concentration. The classifier overflow fraction is passed through additional classifiers, the underflow fractions of which can be reground and refloated. The overflow fraction of the last classifier can be subjected to flotation to further enhance recovery.

Abstract: Colored impurities are removed from kaolin clay by an improved flotation process in which a blend of a fatty acid compound and a hydroxamate compound is used as a collector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the flotation of a mineral concentrate comprising the steps of forming an aqueous slurry of a milled mineral ore containing particles of a desired mineral species and adding a flotation reagent which causes a desired variation in the flotation tendency of the desired mineral species present within the slurry so as to increase the efficiency of separation of that mineral species from the slurry relative to a situation where said flotation reagent is absent from the slurry. A stabilising agent is introduced to the slurry in an amount which creates electrochemical conditions conductive to separation of the desired mineral from the slurry and causes the destruction of a deleterious component from the slurry which consumes the flotation reagent thereby maintaining or improving the efficiency of separation of the desired mineral species from the slurry of milled ore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a froth flotation process for the separation of paper and wood fibers from printed and copying inks and other contaminants during the recycling of paper. A liquid solution containing a frothing agent is applied from the top of a froth flotation device, preferably in the form of a spray, to the upper surface or portion of an aqueous pulp slurry present in the device, or of a froth phase produced in the device, prior to or during the froth flotation process.

Abstract: An improved reverse crago process for beneficiating siliceous phosphate includes the steps of subjecting a siliceous phosphate ore material to amine floatation so as to obtain a prefloat concentrate, and screening the prefloat concentrate so as to separate it into 1) a fine predominantly phosphate fraction without substantial amounts of silica, and 2) a coarse fatty acid floatation feed fraction containing phosphate and substantial silica. The coarse fraction is subjected to fatty acid flotation so as to recover phosphate as a fatty acid flotation concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process for simultaneously preventing formation of slime stabilized foam and decreasing reagent consumption in a phosphate beneficiation flowsheet comprising adding an effective amount of a polymer to a rougher feed slurry and/or a cationic feed slurry wherein the polymer flocculates slime, adding an effective amount of a collector and removing the flocculated slime by flotation.

Abstract: A process for recovering a secondary base metal mineral from a material containing it involving treatment of a pulp of the material with surface modifying reagent such as a water soluble sulphide. The pulp is subjected to deaeration by introduction of a non-oxidising gas to prevent oxidation of the reagent. The process is applicable to recovery of secondary minerals such as azurite, malachite, cerussite, anglesite and zinc ferrites from host materials.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes multiple circuits and functions which share multiple internal signal buses, three physical and five logical, according to distributed bus access and control arbitration. The multiple internal signal buses are shared among three tiers of internal circuit functions: a central processing unit and a DMA controller; a DRAM controller and a bus interface unit; and peripheral interface circuits, such as PCMCIA and display controllers. Two of the physical buses correspond to two of the logical buses and are used for communications within the IC. The third physical bus corresponds to three of the logical buses and is used for communications between the IC and circuits external to the IC. Arbitration for accessing and controlling the various signal buses is distributed both within and among the three tiers of internal circuit functions.