Abstract: The present invention relates to a gravity/flotation circuit where a mineral stream, such as a flotation rougher or cleaner concentrate, undergoes a two stage size separation wherein: i) the screen of the first stage provides a coarse stream of particles greater than 110 microns and a fines stream of particles less than 110 microns; and ii) the fines stream of less than 110 microns is subjected to the second stage separation whereupon a cyclone provides an ultrafine/slimes stream of p80 less than about 25 microns and a middlings stream of p80 greater than around 25 microns. The middlings stream is subjected to flotation to recover nickel sulphide which is sent to final concentrate, and reject or depress magnesia which undergoes gravity separation to concentrate the MgO. It has been discovered that a large proportion of the MgO minerals in the concentrate are contained in the 30 to 100 micron size fraction and that they are well liberated making physical separation possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ammoniated collector (amine, azepine, etc.) alone or in combination with other thiol-type collecting reactants, as well as sodium, iron, magnesium, and/or manganese sulfates, sulfurs, oxides, and hydroxides, acrylic acid polymers and copolymers or other spreading agents, in the process of grinding and floating mineral ores, in order to allow to set new floating operational conditions in existing mineral ore processing plants; to obtain substantial improvements in metallurgic productivity by improving the kinetics of the floating process, which allows to increase recovery of molybdenum, decrease recovery of iron, increase copper grade in copper concentrate, at least keep or improve copper recovery, among others, through the addition of a collecting reactant implying savings of up to 100% of consumption of modifying agents, such as lime, currently used.

Abstract: The use of ozone during certain stages of metal separation by flotation degrades certain collectors that are absorbed on the particle surface, as well as the collectors and frothers in the liquid slurry. As a result, the mineral particle has a fresh surface and new chemical reagent(s) can be added in the subsequent flotation step(s). Also since ozone oxidizes the iron sulfide particles faster than the other mineral particles, depending upon the duration of treatment, the ozone concentration, and the kg O3/ton consumed by the treated ore, the surface of the iron sulfide particles may be partially or even totally oxidized, thus allowing better separation. As a consequence, the iron content is decreased, and the grade of the mineral value such as zinc, copper, and nickel increases. Also, sulfide emissions during heat treatment or further processing of the minerals are decreased due to decrease iron sulfide content.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for flotation of sulphide minerals where a flotation pulp is separated into a coarse stream and a fine stream, preferably containing particles coarser than about 30 micron and particles finer than about 30 micron, respectively. Typically, alkali and depressant are added to the coarse flotation stream only and acid and activator are added to the fine flotation stream only. During flotation of the fine stream, acid and/or activator may be added at the conditioning, cleaning, re-cleaning, cleaner-scavenging or third cleaning stage. During flotation of the coarse stream, alkali and/or depressant may be added at the conditioning or cleaning stage.

Abstract: A mineral separation process includes wet-grinding the ore to liberation of minerals, oxidizing the slurry using air, hydrogen peroxide or other oxidants and floating the valuable minerals at a pH between about 9.0 and 10.0 with a xanthate as collector, and a combination of a polyamine and a sulfur containing species as depressants for arsenide minerals. This depressant suite effectively depresses the flotation of arsenide minerals with no effect on the flotation of the valuable minerals.

Abstract: Froth flotation processes, useful for beneficiating base metal mineral values from metal sulfide ore, utilize a collector comprising N-butoxycarbonyl-O-butylthionocarbamate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a reactive oily bubble carrier comprising: (a) a gas bubble having an oil-coating; and (b) a collector dissolved within the oil-coating. The present invention also provides for the use a reactive oily bubble carrier in a flotation target particle separation process. The present invention also provides for a flotation target particle separation process using the reactive oily bubble carriers disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process and an apparatus for flotation of sulphide minerals, such as sulphide minerals hosted in ores rich in magnesium minerals. The process involves grinding of the nickel ore rich in magnesium minerals and thereafter separation of the ground material into a coarse and fine stream of particles coarser than about 30 microns and finer than about 30 microns, respectively. Optionally, the fines stream may be further separated into a slimes fraction. The coarse and fine flotation streams are then fit to separate parallel flotation circuits. Acid and/or activator is added during flotation of the coarse stream only. Significantly improved recoveries and grades were obtained with reduced acid consumption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of bastnaesite and other minerals containing rate earth oxide from complex, weathered ores containing barite, borite, fluorites and/or barite, fluorites, silicates and iron oxides, and comprises reverse barite flotation using a barite collector containing the following individual reagents: 1. Petroleum sulphonate 30-40% by weight 2. Sulphosuccinate 30-40% by weight 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the variation in content of minerals that float naturally in the feed of a concentration plant flotation circuit processing valuable minerals, such as minerals containing precious metals, copper-, nickel- and zinc-bearing minerals. After grinding, rough flotation is performed on minerals that float naturally, such as talc, into what is termed rough talc concentrate, which is then stored. The rough talc concentrate is fed into the valuable minerals flotation circuit as a pre-defined feed, and as a result the control of the flotation circuit is improved and reagent costs are substantially reduced.

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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to a process for separating pyrite from sulfide ores and coal during flotation separation which comprises the depressing of pyrite with from about 0.05 to 0.75 kilograms per ton of concentrate solids, using a pyrite depressant compounds selected from the group consisting ofR1--S (CH.sub.2').sub.n PO (OH).sub.2 (I)wheren is between 2 and 4, andR1 is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen (H) and amidine, and ##STR1## where Ro is a lower alkyl having carbon atoms in a range of 3 to 8 with 3 to 6 being preferred and a final pH in a range of 4 to 9 depending on the ore being processed, and therafter recovering the flotation concentrate thus obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating pyrite from sulfide ores and coal during flotation separation which comprises the depressing of pyrite with from about 0.05 to 0.75 kilograms per ton of concentrate solids using a pyrite depressant compounds selected from the group consisting ofR1, R2, R3 N.sup.+ O.sub.2 H.sub.4 SR4X.sup.- (I)where R1, R2 and R3 are lower alkyls wherein the final sum of the carbon atoms is in a range of 3 to 6, R4 is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen (H) and amidine and X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, ##STR1## where Ro is a lower alkyl having carbon atoms in a range of 3 to 8 with 3 to 6 being preferred and a final pH in a range of 4 to 9 depending on the ore being processed, and therafter recovering the flotation concentrate thus obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating pyrite from sulfide ores and coal during flotation separation which comprises the depression of pyrite with from about 0.125 to 1.250 pounds per ton of 2-S thironium-ethane sulfonate (IESA) as a pyrite depressant. The aforementioned depressant is surprisingly effective in pyrite removal, being substantially independent of the pH values of the treated ore or coal, compatible with conventional collector reagents such as xanthates in the case of copper sulfide bearing ores as well as being substantially unobtrusive in not depressing other useful ore sulfides, including but limited to chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcosite, etc.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing a gold-bearing sulfide ore which involves maintaining the ore in a substantially oxygen free environment, preferably beginning with comminution of the ore and ending when a desired final concentrate, enriched in sulfide minerals, is obtained by flotation. In one embodiment, nitrogen gas is used to substantially prevent contact between the ore and air during comminution of the ore and during flotation operations. It is believed that oxygen gas present in air detrimentally affects the recovery of sulfide minerals in a flotation concentrate through surface oxidation of sulfide mineral particles. The use of a gas such as nitrogen can significantly reduce the potential for such surface oxidation.

Abstract: A multi-stage froth flotation process is provided for concentrating sulphide minerals or middlings containing non-ferrous metal values such as nickel, cobalt and copper, which co-exist with significant amounts of pyrrhotite. The process is carried out without relying on any specific reagent as pyrrhotite depressant, but rather by exploiting the natural pulp environment with low REDOX potentials generated by mild steel grinding media in the grinding step preceding the froth flotation. The concentrate from the flotation stage(s) in which the REDOX potential rises above a predetermined value, is recycled back to the grinding step and/or to preceding flotation stage(s) from which concentrate is collected as the final product or is subjected to an up-grading in a further cleaning stage.

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: A flotation process for the separation of a mineral of non-sulphidic character, such as a talcose mineral, from a mineral of sulphidic character, for example a base metal sulphide, characterized in that a slurry containing a mixture of the minerals is subjected to a sequence of mineral dressing operations in which a non-oxidizing gas or gas mixture and a reducing agent are added to the slurry to maintain an electrochemical potential conducive to the separation of the minerals by flotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of floating calcium carbonate ore containing silicates as impurities. Floatation is performed in the presence of a quaternary ammonium compound and an alkylene oxide adduct of an amine compound. The silicate being concentrated in the float.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of separating variable ores containing copper, lead, zinc and the like as the refining material for non-ferrous metals and gangue minerals such as pyrite, quartz, feld spar and the like from dug out ores and, particularly, it relates to a flotation method. For obtaining non-ferrous metal valuable ores as concentrates from ores by a flotation method, flotation is conducted by using gaseous sulfurous acid or aqueous sulfurous acid as a depressant for controlling the floatability of pyrite. The flotation method comprises measuring the redox potential of an ore solution before and after the addition of gaseous sulfurous acid or aqueous sulfurous acid and determining an optimum addition amount by utilizing a proportional relationship present between the difference of the potential and the valuable quality enhancing rate.

Abstract: A novel process for adsorptive aggregation and also floatation of Carling type gold ores, which goes far beyond the conventional floatation method. Said novel technological procedures comprise fine grinding as well as sluicing of raw ores and adding special floatation agents such as stripping agent, adsorptive aggregation agent as well as collecting agent and flocculant in the course of coarse screening and sweep screenings. The fine ore obtained using the present process is graded as 22 g/T with a recovery yield langer than 83%. Said process has a screening index high and stable, it is safe and reliable and can be effectively put into industrial production.

Abstract: A method for recovering precious metals from carbonaceous ore comprising leaching the ore with a lixiviant solution and then preg-robbingly concentrating the precious metal-lixiviant complexes in solution on to the native carbonaceous component of the ore for subsequent recovery. The preg-robbing capacity of the native carbonaceous component of the ore can be augmented by adding recycled carbonaceous matter or finely ground carbon to the ore-lixiviant mixture. Furthermore, after the carbonaceous component of the ore is separated from the gangue, the gangue material can be treated in a hot CIL process to further increase the recovery of the precious metal.

Abstract: A method for separating plastic particles by types from a particle mixture of plastics of different types by flotation. The plastic particles are initially processed by a type-dependent change in their wetting behavior in such a manner that the various types can be floated individually out of the particle mixture. This surface treatment of the plastic particles takes place prior to flotation and outside of the flotation device in a physically dry manner by plasma processing of the particle mixture followed by storage for a predetermined time period. Storage results in a material-specific classification wetting behavior.

Abstract: Stearic acid monoesters and diesters of polypropylene glycol (PPG), together with a hydrocarbon diluent, give exceptional defoaming performance in mineral processing streams over defoaming compositions made with esters of other fatty acids. The defoaming ability of compositions made from stearic acid esters of PPG is further enhanced by the inclusion of a relatively small amount of a non-ionic dispersing surfactant.

Abstract: A method for the depression of non-sulfide, silicate gangue minerals is provided wherein the depressant is a polymeric mixture of a polysaccharide and a material comprising recurring units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is the polymerization residue of an acrylamide or mixture of acrylamides, Y is an hydroxy group containing polymer unit, Z is an anionic group containing polymer unit, x represents a residual mole fraction of at least about 35%, y represents a residual mole fraction of from about 1 to 50% and z represents a residual mole fraction of from about 0 to about 50%.

Abstract: A method for the depression of non-sulfide, silicate gangue minerals is provided wherein the depressant is a polymeric material comprising recurring units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is the polymerization residue of an acrylamide or mixture of acrylamides, Y is an hydroxy group containing polymer unit, Z is an anionic group containing polymer unit, x represents a residual mole fraction of at least about 35%, y represents a residual mole fraction of from about 1 to 50% and z represents a residual mole fraction of from about 0 to about 50%.

Abstract: A method for the depression of non-sulfide, silicate gangue minerals is provided wherein the depressant is a mixture of a polysaccharide and a graft polymer of polyvinyl alcohol and an acrylamide.

Abstract: A method for the depression of non-sulfide, silicate gangue minerals is provided wherein the depressant is a graft polymer of polyvinyl alcohol and an acrylamide.

Abstract: In a process for a selective flotation of a copper-lead-zinc sulfide ore the raw ore is ground and slurried with water and the resulting suspension is aerated with air to adjust a certain oxidation-reduction potential and is subsequently successively conditioned with SO.sub.2, Ca(OH).sub.2, and collecting and frothing agents, whereafter a flotation of Cu is effected. An oxidation-reduction potential which is 70 to 90% of the oxidation-reduction potential desired for the flotation of Cu is adjusted by the aeration of the suspension with air before the flotation of Cu, the desired oxidation-reduction potential of 60 to 340 mV is adjusted during the flotation of Cu by the aeration with air, the flotation of Cu is effected at a pH of 8.5 to 10.5 and Cu is removed from the flotation process with the froth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of micas by flotation starting with slurried ore from which the fines have been optionally removed, comprising a stage of bringing the said slurry into contact with an appropriate cationic collector, followed by an actual flotation stage and recovery of the supernatant formed for subsequent treatment and optional rewashing, characterized in that it is carried out at a pH higher than 6 and in that the stage of bringing the said slurry into contact with the cationic collector is preceded by a stage of bringing the said slurry into contact with an activating agent chosen from soluble metal salts.The invention also relates to the micas obtained by the process.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for improved separation of mono/multi-metallic sulphide minerals from significant amounts of iron sulphides, mainly pyrrhotite and/or their finely divided process middlings. The process comprises subjecting such material to a conditioning stage with at least one water-soluble sulphur-containing inorganic compound as a prerequisite step for further conditioning with nitrogen-containing organic chelating agents, preferably polyethylenepolyamines, prior to froth flotation wherein iron mineral, primarily pyrrhotite is depressed, thus allowing selective recovery of mono/multi-metallic minerals containing non-ferrous metal value(s).

Abstract: This invention relates to apatite flotation reagents which can be used simultaneously with silica collectors in a coflotation process without problems of incompatibility between the apatite flotation reagent and the silica collectors. The apatite flotation reagent includes soya lecithin. The soya lecithin can be used as an apatite collector by itself or can be blended with a phosphate ester, preferably an ethylene oxide modified alcohol based phosphate ester. In an additional embodiment, the apatite flotation reagent can be solely comprised of a phosphate ester, preferably an ethylene oxide modified alcohol based phosphate ester.

Abstract: A method is described for processing waste materials in the form of filter rods, filter cigarettes and the like comprising filter material with inner hollow volumes accessible from the outside and at least one other material component, in particular paper and tobacco, wherein the following process steps are carried out: the waste material is distributed in a liquid in a pressure vessel. By increasing the pressure or decreasing the temperature an inert gas is dissolved in the liquid. Subsequently the temperature is increased or the pressure decreased so that fine gas bubbles develop within the filter material which permits the latter to float whereby a separation from the further material components to be separated is possible. With this method a separation of the waste material into its individual component parts is possible so that for example valuable filter material in the form of cellulose acetate is obtained in highly pure form and can be used again for the production of filter materials.