WO2016133379A4 - Magnetic flotation and aggregation process and device for the concentration of magnetic iron minerals - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel device and process for enriching magnetic minerals (magnetite) by removing metal sulphides, silicates, phosphates and other unwanted particles, characterised by a device comprising a downflow pipe (mixer) and a separation column surrounded by Helmholtz coils. Pulp is fed into the mixer, in which air bubbles form in the presence of the pulp and bubble-particle collection processes are performed. The mixer discharges the pulp-bubble mixture into the separation column in a region that has a low magnetic field, less than 200 Gauss, which can be adjusted. Non-magnetic particles (gangue) are removed by the bubbles at the upper part of the column to form the tailings from the process, while magnetic particles sediment rapidly on the bottom of the column, from where they are removed to form the iron concentrate. As a result of the increase in the percentage of solids in the concentrate cone, most of the water that enters the device is discharged in the tailings, generating an upward flow of water which drags the gangue particles that were not captured by the bubbles. Using these mechanisms, the gangue is discharged in the tailings by two methods: flotation, and hydrodynamic drag. The magnetite forms aggregates of sufficient weight that they are not conveyed by the bubbles but sediment rapidly on the bottom of the column, allowing selective separation of magnetite and gangue.

Claims

1 MODIFIED CLAIMS received by the International Office on October 18, 2016 (10-18-2016) Having sufficiently described our invention, we consider as a novelty and therefore claim as our exclusive property, what is contained in the following clauses:

 1. Process, characterized by combining the principles of flotation and magnetic separation in a single unit by mixing a flow of water with mineral particles and air in a confined space in a uniform magnetic field. In this confined space of high turbulence, in addition, microbubbles are generated by shear that adhere to mineral particles with hydrophobic surfaces with chemical reagents called flotation collectors. Subsequently, the mixture of pulp-air bubbles is discharged to a column where gangue particles that are not magnetic (quartz, silicates, sulfides, carbonates and phosphates) and adhered to the air bubbles are transported towards the upper part constituting the queues of the process, while magnetic particles such as magnetite that are found as elongated aggregates, even when air bubbles are attached, due to their great weight, they settle quickly towards the bottom, constituting the iron concentrate. With the process, the elimination of gangue of the iron concentrate at a high iron recovery rate is significantly improved and it is not necessary to feed a rising water flow to transport the gangue. This process is original, novel and marketable, so we claim your invention.

2. Equipment, characterized in its realization by a mixer and a column of non-magnetizable material surrounded by coils in Helmholtz configuration, for the generation of a low magnetic field, whose intensity can be regulated to control the size of the aggregates of particles magnetic, the quality of iron concentrates and the recovery of iron. The mixer is fed a flow of water with mineral particles of iron ore and gangue, as well as an air flow for the formation of air microbubbles, which selectively adhere to hydrophobic particles. The mixer is immersed in the column to the region of the magnetic field at a height of the coils (region of the low magnetic fields) and it is at this height where the mixture of pulp-bubbles is dislodged in the column. Regardless of the geometry of the separation column and the mixer, the combination of these air-pulp bubble mixing elements and the assisted magnetic field results in two

a magnetite concentration team that is original and novel; therefore, we claim your invention.

3

 Declaration according to article 19.1 of modification of claims of the international application PCT / MX2016 / 000013 on the patent "MAGNETIC FLOATING AND AGGREGATE PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONCENTRATION OF MAGNETIC IRON MINERALS" by the applicants López Valdivieso Alejandro, Corona Arroyo Mario Alberto , Encinas Oropesa Armando, Nahmad Molinari Yuri, based on the international search report dated August 18, 2016.

In the report it is concluded that the invention seems to be not new, that it does not imply an inventive activity (that is evident) and that it is susceptible of industrial application. Under the arguments that the 4 claims of the patent had been pre-dated by DI (WO 200922895 Al, Nahmad Molinari et al., Abstract, page 6, lines 24-31, pages 9, lines 1-12, figures 2-3) .

We declare that our patent "MAGNETIC FLOTATION AND AGGREGATION PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONCENTRATION OF MAGNETIC IRON MINERALS" is novel, inventive and of industrial application; In addition, it differs significantly from ID:

1) In our process and equipment a flow of water with mineral particles is fed to a mixer which is also fed a flow of air and not air bubbles. Shear air microbubbles form in the mixer, which adhere to particles in a space of high turbulence, where the particles have been hydrophobicized with chemical reagents called flotation collectors.

In DI, the flow of water with mineral particles is fed through the upper part of a reactor; while water and air bubbles are fed from the bottom of the reactor. In DI the turbulence in the environment where the mineral particles and air bubbles interact is less than in our patent.

2) In our process and equipment, a rising water flow is not used to eliminate the gangue particles. This upward flow of water is used in DI to transport gangue particles to the upper part of the reactor. This is a remarkable difference that leads to an unprecedented decrease in water consumption in our process compared to ID.

The equipment and process that we claim results from the need to look for a more efficient approach for the concentration of the magnetite mineral. As indicated, the equipment and process that is claimed has been designed to eliminate the upward flow of water, thus achieving the simplification of the process and the savings derived from water consumption. While, on the other hand, it completely eliminates the need to incorporate a system for the production of air bubbles. It is then, a team and a novel process, with greater efficiency using a simpler and less expensive process.

We also declare that we diminish the claims from 4 to 2, focusing only on the equipment and process.