US20130025410A1 - Collector and frothing agent for flotation based on organic residues to recover metals from minerals by froth flotation, collector and frothing agent recovery process and foaming flotation process that uses the collector and frothing agent - Google Patents

Collector and frothing agent for flotation based on organic residues to recover metals from minerals by froth flotation, collector and frothing agent recovery process and foaming flotation process that uses the collector and frothing agent Download PDF

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US20130025410A1
US20130025410A1 US13/574,456 US201113574456A US2013025410A1 US 20130025410 A1 US20130025410 A1 US 20130025410A1 US 201113574456 A US201113574456 A US 201113574456A US 2013025410 A1 US2013025410 A1 US 2013025410A1
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collector
flotation
foaming
agent
sulfide
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César Antonio Saez Navarrete
Rosanna Ginocchio Cea
Miguel Nicolás Herrera Marchant
Lorenzo Reyes Bozo
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CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION MINERA Y METAALURGICA
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
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CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION MINERA Y METAALURGICA
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
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Assigned to HERRERA MARCHANT, MIGUEL NICOLAS, PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE, GINOCCHIO CEA, ROSANNA, CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION MINERA Y METAALURGICA reassignment HERRERA MARCHANT, MIGUEL NICOLAS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: REYES BOZO, LORENZO, SAEZ NAVARRETE, CESAR ANTONIO, HERRERA MARCHANT, MIGUEL NICOLAS, GINOCCHIO CEA, ROSANNA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/001—Flotation agents
    • B03D1/004—Organic compounds
    • B03D1/01—Organic compounds containing nitrogen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/001—Flotation agents
    • B03D1/004—Organic compounds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/001—Flotation agents
    • B03D1/004—Organic compounds
    • B03D1/008—Organic compounds containing oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/02—Froth-flotation processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
    • B03D1/16—Flotation machines with impellers; Subaeration machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/08—Subsequent treatment of concentrated product
    • B03D1/085—Subsequent treatment of concentrated product of the feed, e.g. conditioning, de-sliming
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2201/00—Specified effects produced by the flotation agents
    • B03D2201/007—Modifying reagents for adjusting pH or conductivity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2201/00—Specified effects produced by the flotation agents
    • B03D2201/02—Collectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2201/00—Specified effects produced by the flotation agents
    • B03D2201/04—Frothers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2203/00—Specified materials treated by the flotation agents; specified applications
    • B03D2203/02—Ores
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D2203/00—Specified materials treated by the flotation agents; specified applications
    • B03D2203/02—Ores
    • B03D2203/04—Non-sulfide ores
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
    • C02F11/12—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor by de-watering, drying or thickening
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
    • C02F2103/20—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from animal husbandry

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to collector and foaming agents based on organic waste, useful in froth flotation processes to recover commercially valuable metals from either sulfide minerals (copper, zinc, lead, iron, molybdenum, etc.) or non-sulfide ores (gold, etc.). It consists of multifunctional flotation agents used as collector and foaming agents based on organic waste that are derived from aerobic or anaerobic treatment or decomposition processes, or from just a fraction of them (extract). It also involves the production process and use of such collector and foaming agents in a froth flotation process to recover metals of commercial value from minerals. These processes result in the creation of tailings whose composition is suitable for an environmental remediation treatment.
  • This invention aims to address some of these challenges, particularly with regard to improving the mineral concentration stage through the development of unique, bifunctional, effective, inexpensive and very competitive flotation reagents. It also improves the efficiency of flotation and generates tailings that favor a positive environmental management to implement technologies such as phytoremediation.
  • the froth flotation process is the most use in the beneficiation of either sulfide minerals (copper, zinc, lead, iron, molybdenum, etc.) or non-sulfide ores (gold, etc.) containing metals of value.
  • the process makes it possible to separate commercially valuable metals from the gangue and/or to separate valuable metals from each other, from minerals previously subjected to crushing and grinding stages.
  • sulfide mineral subjected to froth flotation different chemical compounds of specific action, such as frothers, collectors and modifiers are used.
  • Collectors are organic compounds of relatively short carbonic chain and without foaming capacity. After the injection of air into the mineral pulp under stirring, a foam composed of an aqueous solution of the finely ground mineral containing a foaming agent (e.g., pine oil, cresylic acid, ROH alcohols as methyl isobutyl, carbonyl, polyglycols and 2 ethyl hexanol) is formed.
  • a foaming agent e.g., pine oil, cresylic acid, ROH alcohols as methyl isobutyl, carbonyl, polyglycols and 2 ethyl hexanol
  • collectors or promoters are added, which make the selective transformation of a lyophilic surface (hydrophilic in the case of the use of water) into a lyophobic surface (hydrophobic in the case of the use of water) possible in minerals containing the valuable metal to be obtained as final product. From a scientific standpoint, it was found that the separation of a mineral species from another by flotation depends on the wettability of its surfaces in water, which is determined by the net balance of the interfacial energies, i.e. the variation of free energy per unit area among different phases: solid, liquid and gas.
  • xanthates xanthates, xanthate esters
  • carbamates dithiocarbamates, thiocarbamates
  • mercaptans mercaptobenzo-thiazole
  • organic derivatives of phosphoric or phosphorus acid dithiophosphates, thiophosphates, dialkyldithiophosphate acid
  • the application of flotation aims to obtain a range of copper concentrate of 25%-30% (w/w, dry basis), from low grade minerals (0.5-2% Cu).
  • concentration operation by flotation in the copper industry reaches a copper recovery range between 80% and 85%, and in some cases, optimal values close to 90%.
  • the above is obtained at very high operational costs.
  • flotation reagents used are formed by recalcitrant chemicals, which have a negative environmental impact.
  • flotation reagents of lower cost and less environmental impact like organic waste either from treatment processes or aerobic or anaerobic decomposition, or just a fraction of them, such as those generated from household wastewater purification processes (biosolids) and/or livestock production systems (slurry, manure) would have a significant economic impact on the mining industry, and would simultaneously solve environmental and social problems related to its current operational management.
  • the solution proposed in this document is the use of effluents of treatment wastewater plants conditioned with polyglycerol. It is not intended to replace all or part of the foams conventionally used in froth flotation processes, but it is intended to be used as an alternative source of water in mining process in places where the chances of access to natural water sources are limited.
  • multifunctional flotation agent means an agent that can have both, collector and foaming functions.
  • fouling and collector agent refers to a single multifunctional agent that includes both collector and foaming functions.
  • organic matter refers to biosolids from wastewater treatment plants, sewage organic sludge from biogas production systems, water-soluble organic matter from compost or other biologically similar organic waste treated or stabilized under aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions, industrial sludge from treatments of industrial organic liquid waste, organic matter from vegetable peat, manure or a combination of two or more of any of them, or just a fraction of them.
  • full acids refers to organic compounds present in the organic material (i.e. biosolids, manure) which are obtained by basic extraction and do not precipitate at low pH.
  • humic acids refers to organic compounds present in the organic material (i.e. biosolids, manure) which are obtained by basic extraction and precipitate at low pH.
  • liquid extract from multifunctional flotation agent is understood as a liquid agent that may have collector and foaming function. It is a liquid extract obtained from the processing of organic waste derived from treatment processes or aerobic decomposition, such as biosolids and/or manure.
  • the present invention provides multifunctional flotation agents, with both, collector and foaming functions based on organic waste derived from treatment processes or aerobic or anaerobic decomposition, or from just a fraction of them, available for foaming flotation processes for the recovery of valued metals from minerals. Also, it provides a manufacturing process of these agents and how to use them in mineral flotation processes.
  • the main advantage of the present invention over the current state of technology is the lower cost and lower environmental impact of this foaming and collector agent versus the current chemical collector and foaming reagents. Also, it has a better selectivity for the recovery of commercially valuable metals from minerals and a wider range of applications.
  • collector and foaming agents have the advantage of having a much more competitive cost than collectors and foaming agents on the market. Additionally, due to their organic origin, they are harmless to human health, environment and subsequent metallurgical processes, as they are biodegradable. The latter attribute is particularly important in terms of job stress and health, as collector and foaming chemical agents in the market are toxic and flammable organic compounds and are stored in tailings deposits after their use.
  • this invention increases the value to organic waste derived from treatment processes or from aerobic or anaerobic decomposition, or just a fraction of them.
  • water companies could increase the value of biosolids generated by their plants of household wastewater treatment, and the livestock industry could increase the value of its organic waste (manure, slurry).
  • This invention provides an environmentally safe and valued view for massive waste, which has traditionally had a very negative social perception. Simultaneously, the total or partial replacement of existing reagents from organic waste flotation or just a fraction of them would eliminate the environmental hazards associated with the existing chemical flotation reagents.
  • FIG. 1 It shows the stages of froth flotation process for the recovery of commercially valuable metals.
  • FIG. 2 It illustrates the variation of surface tension at pH 7 and 10, at different concentrations of humic substances (HS), biosolids (BS) and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC): (A) shows the results obtained for a total concentration of foaming agent (HS, BS, MIBC), (B) illustrates the results obtained for a concentration of foaming agent corrected by the fraction of sedimented material. Both graphs show the average values (n ⁇ 4); the error bars are within the symbols.
  • HS humic substances
  • BS biosolids
  • MIBC methyl isobutyl carbinol
  • FIG. 3 It shows the quantification of the hydrophobic fractions of the copper sulfide mineral (M), chalcopyrite (CPY) and pyrite (Py) for a dose of HS, BS, goat manure and RQCI obtained for the experimental condition of 100% water (surface tension of 72.1 mN m ⁇ 1 ). Average values (n ⁇ 4) and the error bars are shown.
  • FIG. 4 It illustrates the kinetics of froth flotation obtained from industrial chemical reagent dosage (collector+frother), biosolids (BS) and humic substances (HS), (A) illustrates the results obtained with respect to the copper grade and (B) shows the results obtained with respect to iron grade.
  • the present invention consists of a multifunctional flotation agent with collector and foaming functions used in froth flotation processes for the recovery of commercially valuable metals either from sulfide ores (copper, zinc, lead, iron, molybdenum, etc.) or non-sulfide minerals (gold, etc.), which are organic waste derived from treatment processes or aerobic or anaerobic decomposition, or from just a fraction of them (extract).
  • sulfide ores copper, zinc, lead, iron, molybdenum, etc.
  • non-sulfide minerals gold, etc.
  • the multifunctional flotation agent or “collector and foaming agent” is organic waste derived from treatment processes or aerobic or anaerobic decomposition, such as biosolids and/or manure. Results of physical and chemical analysis obtained from literature for biosolids and manures are shown in Table 1. The percentages are given on a dry basis.
  • the production process of the multifunctional flotation agent of this invention consists of the following stages:
  • the product obtained in number 2 can be subjected to a liquid aqueous extraction process using acids and/or strong bases to maintain the same characteristics mentioned for the multifunctional flotation agent (foaming and collector agent) of this invention.
  • the liquid extraction process of the multifunctional flotation agent consists of the following steps:
  • step 2 Take the product at the end of step 2 as described above. 2. Perform an extraction that considers some of the following alternative methods, depending on its origin and mode of application: a. Extract using an acid-base process that considers a pH reduction between 1 and 2 with a strong acid such as HCl, H 2 SO 4 , H 3 PO 4 , at room temperature. Adjust the volume of the solution with acid until obtaining a ratio between 1:5 and 1:10 organic waste:acidic solution (mass:volume), dry basis. Stir the suspension for a period of time less than or equal to 10 hours. Separate and reserve the supernatant of the solid fraction. Adjust the pH of the solid fraction to neutrality using a strong base such as KOH, NaOH, etc, at room temperature.
  • a strong acid such as HCl, H 2 SO 4 , H 3 PO 4
  • the froth flotation process for the recovery of commercially valuable metals from sulfide or non-sulfide minerals consists of the following steps:
  • froth flotation process for the recovery of commercially valued metals consists of the additional steps:
  • the froth flotation process is suitable to benefit sulfide minerals (copper, zinc, lead, iron, molybdenum, etc.) or non-sulfide ones (gold, etc.), and also commercially valuable metals present in tails of the first processing phase, out of two, of flotation froth.
  • copper can be benefited from minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) and mixtures of minerals (chalcocite, Cu 2 S, covellite, CuS, bornite, Cu 5 FeS 4 , etc.).
  • copper sulfide ores contain pyrite (FeS) and other metal sulfides that are also benefited.
  • the multifunctional flotation agent is added. It has collector and foaming functions, and the amount will depend on various factors such as the physical and chemical properties, speciation, particle size distribution, mineral grade and release rate, among others.
  • the flotation In the first stage of flotation, between 5% and 25% of the mineral weight collector and foaming agent is added. The pulp is agitated and aerated for a period of time that maximizes the recovery of iron. The specific period of time will depend on the physical, chemical speciation, particle size distribution, rate of liberation and grade properties among others; the time needed to float a certain mineral can be estimated according to the efficiency and production plans of the concentrator plant. Typically, the flotation is conducted for a period between 2 and 20 minutes and more preferably for a period between 5 and 15 minutes.
  • the iron concentrate is collected and the tail is subjected to the second phase of froth flotation.
  • the tail then undergoes a second phase of froth flotation to recover most of the commercially valuable copper content in the foam (copper concentrate) and depress minerals without commercial value and the gangue that remains in the lower phase (tailings).
  • the flotation is conducted for a period between 2 and 20 minutes, and preferably, for a period between 5 and 15 minutes.
  • the copper concentrate is collected and the tailing or new tail is removed and discarded.
  • the tailings are discarded in tailings deposits built for this purpose, according to the procedures established in each tailings plant. A fraction of organic waste used as foaming and collector agents in the froth flotation process of this invention is retained in the generated tailings, leaving them in a better condition for subsequent environmental remediation processes.
  • Both the first and second flotation stages (stages I and II), the multifunctional flotation agent (foaming and collector agent) of the present invention can be supplemented with one or more of the traditionally used frothers and/or collectors in a specific operation of froth flotation of sulfide or non-sulfide minerals; the amount of frother and/or collector added will depend on the desired characteristics and the critical variables of the process, which are determined by the specificities and peculiarities of each mineral concentration process.
  • any of the market collectors such as compounds containing anionic and cationic polar groups (e.g. fatty acids, xanthates, xanthate esters, dithiocarbamates, mercaptans, thioureas and tionocarbamatos), can be used with new collectors shown in phases I and II of this invention ( FIG. 1 ).
  • foaming agents have been successfully used in the flotation of minerals from sulfide ores, such as alcohols dihydrocarbonated of low molecular weight (for example methyl isobutyl carbinol, MIBC, polyglycol, pine oils, polyglycol monoesters and alcohol ethoxylates, etc.). Any of them can be used in a complementary and synergistic way in the process of this invention.
  • alcohols dihydrocarbonated of low molecular weight for example methyl isobutyl carbinol, MIBC, polyglycol, pine oils, polyglycol monoesters and alcohol ethoxylates, etc.
  • While this invention may use a single flotation equipment, both in froth flotation Phase I and Phase II ( FIG. 1 ), it is preferred to use a multiple system of flotation devices in both phases, as this allows a better recovery of commercially valuable metals due to higher-contacting time of the flotation reagents with minerals and the possibility of adding additional amounts of collectors or auxiliary chemicals when they are required.
  • the froth flotation process of the present invention provides a better quality copper concentrate due to the lowest content of iron minerals, increasing its commercial value for sale in either the domestic or international market.
  • the copper concentrate obtained by the present invention maintains an adequate iron content to the requirements of the smelting stage, in the case of those processes using Teniente converter furnaces.
  • the copper ore used in this example consists primarily of chalcopyrite-pyrite, with an average content of 0.74% copper and 4.50% iron and a particle size less than or equal to 400 microns.
  • the surface tension measurements were performed on a Krüss K8 tensiometer using the Du Nouy method at a room temperature of 18° C.
  • Solutions of biosolids (BS), humic substances (HS) and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) were prepared with deionized ultrafiltered water, with a resistivity of 18 M ⁇ -cm (equivalent to 5.55 ⁇ 10 ⁇ 2 ⁇ S cm ⁇ 1 electrical conductivity), and a surface tension of 72.1 mN m ⁇ 1 .
  • the concentrations tested for BS were 0, 1, 10, 25, 50 and 100 g L ⁇ 1 ; for HS, 0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10 and 25 g L ⁇ 1 and for MIBC, 0, 0.1; 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g L ⁇ 1 .
  • the tested concentrations expressed in grams per liter of humic substances are equivalent to BS and HS.
  • a pH adjustment for each BS, HS and MIBC solution, at pH 7 and 10 was subsequently carried out, adding small aliquots of NaOH and 0.1 M HCl solution. The samples were measured at least four times for the various concentrations tested. The results obtained are shown in FIG. 2 .
  • Results showed that HS, BS and MIBC have a surfactant activity in the whole concentration range measured.
  • the surface tension of the HS is pH dependent; showing that at pH 10 is more surfactant than at pH 7.
  • a similar behavior showed BS and MIBC.
  • FIG. 2A shows that BS and MIBC are able to change the surface tension, determining that a concentration of 100 g L ⁇ 1 of BS, the surface tension is 40 mN m ⁇ 1 , while MIBC obtains a similar surface tension with a concentration of 7.5 g L ⁇ 1 .
  • FIG. 2B shows that when correcting HS and BS concentrations for the sedimented fraction of these substances, biosolids have a behavior similar to MIBC.
  • BS dosages lower than 4 g L ⁇ 1 are shown to be more surfactant at both pH tested, compared to MIBC, and therefore, they have better foaming properties.
  • Foaming tests were performed using the Bikerman method. This method determines the dynamic generation of foam, ⁇ and the static stability, ⁇ .
  • 20 mL of solution according to the following foaming concentrations of methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), humic substances (HS) and biosolids (BS): 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 g L ⁇ 1 were used.
  • the samples were prepared with double distilled water, adjusting the initial pH of the solutions with small solution aliquots of NaOH and 0.1 M HCl to reach pH 7 and 10, agitating and homogenizing the samples for 10 minutes at 200 rpm. All trials were performed in duplicate and at room temperature.
  • the dynamic foam generation is produced continuously by injection of atmospheric air.
  • a dry air compressor was used with four air flows 1, 2, 3 and 4 L min ⁇ 1 .
  • the injected air passed through an air flow meter (Gilmont Instruments, Inc., USA) and then through Pyrex glass filter of porosity grade 2, with an average diameter between 40 and 100 ⁇ m.
  • the test sample (20 mL of solution) was inside the filter.
  • the air passed through the liquid in a column, and for each flow of air injected, the height of the foam at steady state was determined.
  • the inaccuracy in measuring the foam height at steady state was ⁇ 1 cm, depending on the type and concentration of foaming and air flow used.
  • the static stability of the foam was quantified ⁇ , which corresponds to the total time until total decrease of the foam produced, once the gas flow is turned off. The results are shown in Table 4.
  • SH Humic Substances
  • BS Biosolids
  • MIBC Metil-Isobutil-Carbinol
  • Table 4 above shows that for all concentrations and pH tested, HS, MIBC and BS can generate foam.
  • the pH has an effect on the volume of foam generated. In all cases, the foam volume presents a linear dependence on the gas flow.
  • HS, BS and MIBC show a positive relationship between concentration and the generation and static stability of the foam.
  • Concentrations of 0.1 and 1 g L ⁇ 1 of HS, BS and MIBK have ⁇ values that increase depending on the air flow, but at concentrations of 5 and 10 g L ⁇ 1 of HS and BS, the relationship is opposite, showing that for a specific concentration, when increasing the air flow, ⁇ decreases drastically.
  • BS show Bikerman parameters ( ⁇ and ⁇ ) of similar magnitude to those obtained for MIBC, for both, the concentrations and airflows tested.
  • the “film flotation” technique determines the hydrophilic and hydrophobic fractions of a mineral and/or mineral species exposed to different mixtures of water:alcohol.
  • Humic substances (HS), biosolids (BS) and goat manure (GM) were added in a dosage of 1.5% of humic substances (w/w, dry basis), while the industrial chemical collector reagents (ICCR) were used in the following dosages: dialkyl dithiophosphate potassium (Lib-K), 16 g ton ⁇ 1 ; isobutyl xanthate, sodium 5 g ton ⁇ 1 ; mercaptan (P-3), 11 g ton ⁇ 1 .
  • Mineral samples (copper sulfide mineral, chalcopyrite, and pyrite) were conditioned by the addition of collector reagents (SH, BS, GM and ICCR) for a period between 10 and 20 minutes. Afterwards, the pH was adjusted with HCl and/or NaOH, and each experimental condition was agitated on a shaker for 3 hours at 25° C. In each trial, a particle size between 75 and 106 microns was used. Depending on the wettability characteristics of the solid in each sample and at a given surface tension of the mixture water:alcohol, the hydrophilic fraction was recovered, dried and weighed, and using mass difference, the hydrophobic fraction was quantified. The results for the experimental condition of 100% water are seen in FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 3 shows that the natural buoyancy, without addition of reagents, of the copper sulfide mineral and mineralogical species, such as chalcopyrite and pyrite, is low (around 10%).
  • the use of ICCR changes the natural buoyancy of the copper sulfide mineral and mineralogical species, making chalcopyrite and pyrite float 40%. ICCR make such mineralogical species to float in a non-selectively way, increasing the natural hydrophobicity of both mineralogical species.
  • the HS increased the natural buoyancy of copper sulfide ore and/or mineralogical species in 15%.
  • BS and GM show a better affinity with pyrite compared to chalcopyrite.
  • BS makes pyrite to float in a 42%, while GM results in 37.5% of this mineral species to float.
  • GM results in 37.5% of this mineral species to float.
  • BS and GM behaved similarly regarding the sulfide mineral, chalcopyrite and pyrite tested, showing more selectiveness for pyrite.
  • BS and GM change the natural buoyancy of copper sulfide mineral, making it possible to float 36% and 26% of the mineral, respectively.
  • Tests with industrial chemical reagents were used in the following dosage: 300 g ton ⁇ 1 lime; 250 2.5 g ton ⁇ 1 DowFroth; 25 g ton ⁇ 1 methyl isobutyl carbinol; 16 g ton-1 dialkyl dithiophosphate potassium (Lib-K); 5 g ton ⁇ 1 isobutyl xanthate, sodium; 11 g ton ⁇ 1 mercaptan (P-3).
  • Biosolids (BS) and humic substances (HS) were used as frothing and collector agents in a dosage of 1.5% of humic substances (w/w dry basis). For all experimental conditions tested a conditioning time of 10 minutes was used.
  • the experimental procedure considers the opening of the air injection valve of the cell to form a froth phase in the pulp, which is extracted from the surface of the froth using the rotating paddle and the following times: 1-3 minutes, 3-6 minutes 6-10 minutes 10-14 minutes 14-18 minutes. At such times, concentrate samples are collected, filtered, dried and chemically analyzed via atomic absorption method.
  • Type 1 and type 2 biosolids (BS 1 and BS 2) refer to biosolids samples from the same household wastewater treatment plant; BS 1 was generated at least 2 years before BS 2.
  • Type 1 and type 2 Humic substances (HS 1 and HS 2) refer to the same material tested in two different runs (repetitions).
  • ICCR Industrial chemical collector reagent (dialkyl dithiophosphate potassium, sodium isobutyl xanthate, mercaptan)
  • ICFR Industry standard chemical froth reagent (DowFroth, methyl isobutyl carbinol)
  • FIG. 4 Concentrated copper and iron grade results are shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the results prove that BS can recover a concentrate with a copper grade lower than that obtained with HS and ICCR+ICFR.
  • BS produces a concentrate with an iron grade similar to that obtained with HS and ICCR+ICFR.
  • FIG. 4B shows that BS can recover a concentrate with a high iron grade.
  • the extract of the collector and foaming reagent, i.e., humic substances shows in FIG. 4A that such reagent recovers a copper concentrate with a higher grade during the first 10 minutes of flotation, compared to the copper concentrate grade copper using ICCR+ICFR.
  • biosolids are effective frothers and collectors of iron in froth flotation systems, while humic substances are effective copper collectors in the froth flotation systems at levels comparable with standard flotation reagents used.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
US13/574,456 2010-01-22 2011-01-21 Collector and frothing agent for flotation based on organic residues to recover metals from minerals by froth flotation, collector and frothing agent recovery process and foaming flotation process that uses the collector and frothing agent Abandoned US20130025410A1 (en)

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CL2010000051A CL2010000051A1 (es) 2010-01-22 2010-01-22 Agente colector y espumante para flotacion espumosa en la recuperacion de metales a partir de minerales sulfurados o no sulfurados que consiste en residuos organicos derivados de procesos de tratamiento o descomposicion aerobica o anaerobica; proceso de produccion de dicho agente; su uso; y proceso de flotacion espumosa.
CL201000051 2010-01-22
PCT/IB2011/050283 WO2011089572A1 (es) 2010-01-22 2011-01-21 Agente colector y espumante para flotación a base de residuos orgánicos para la recuperación de metales a partir de minerales por flotación espumosa, proceso de obtención del agente colector y espumante de flotación y proceso de flotación espumosa que usa el agente colector y espumante

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FR3012348A1 (fr) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-01 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procede de separation d'un couple forme par un tensioactif et au moins un ion
WO2021034205A1 (es) * 2019-08-01 2021-02-25 Rey Bustamante Felipe Jose Agente depresante complejo para el control de zinc y hierro en flotación de minerales polimetálicos, su proceso de elaboración y aplicación como reemplazo de sulfatos de zinc, de cobre
CN115417483A (zh) * 2022-09-16 2022-12-02 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种利用硫铁矿处理硫化矿矿山废水的方法

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CN112619878B (zh) * 2020-11-10 2023-01-03 西北矿冶研究院 一种铁共生有色金属铜铅锌综合回收工艺

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FR3012348A1 (fr) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-01 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procede de separation d'un couple forme par un tensioactif et au moins un ion
WO2015063073A1 (fr) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-07 Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Procédé de séparation d'un couple formé par un tensioactif et au moins un ion
WO2021034205A1 (es) * 2019-08-01 2021-02-25 Rey Bustamante Felipe Jose Agente depresante complejo para el control de zinc y hierro en flotación de minerales polimetálicos, su proceso de elaboración y aplicación como reemplazo de sulfatos de zinc, de cobre
CN115417483A (zh) * 2022-09-16 2022-12-02 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种利用硫铁矿处理硫化矿矿山废水的方法

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CL2010000051A1 (es) 2010-06-18

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