阅读说明：本技术 冷水矿物浮选捕收剂共混物 (Cold water mineral flotation collector blend ) 是由 N.威尔逊 于 2021-04-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：如下的新型试剂共混物和方法：藉此,可将脂肪酸捕收剂在低于其时所述脂肪酸通常开始凝固的温度下使用。所述试剂共混物可包括脂肪酸、乳化用试剂、和二醇醚。所述乳化用试剂可占所述试剂共混物的5％,而所述二醇醚可占所述试剂共混物的1％。所述试剂共混物可用于矿物浮选而无需添加热。(The novel reagent blends and methods are as follows: thereby, the fatty acid collector can be used at a temperature below which the fatty acid normally begins to solidify. The reagent blend may include a fatty acid, an emulsifying agent, and a glycol ether. The emulsifying agent may comprise 5% of the agent blend and the glycol ether may comprise 1% of the agent blend. The reagent blend can be used for mineral flotation without the addition of heat.)

1. An agent blend for use in mineral flotation, the agent blend comprising:

a fatty acid;

an emulsifying agent; and

a glycol ether.

2. The reagent blend of claim 1, wherein the emulsifying agent comprises 5% by weight of the reagent blend.

3. The reagent blend of claim 1, wherein the glycol ether comprises 1% by weight of the reagent blend.

4. A method of making a reagent blend for use in mineral flotation, the method comprising:

adding 5% emulsifying agent to fatty acid;

mixing;

adding 1% of glycol ether; and

mix to produce a solution.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein both the emulsifying agent and the fatty acid are above the temperature at which solids begin to leave the solution.

6. A mineral flotation process comprising the use of a reagent blend, wherein the reagent blend comprises:

a fatty acid;

an emulsifying agent; and

a glycol ether.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method does not include applying heat.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the emulsifying agent comprises 5% by weight of the agent blend.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the glycol ether comprises 1% by weight of the reagent blend.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to mineral flotation and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to novel reagent blends and methods as follows: thereby, the fatty acid collector can be used at temperatures below which it normally starts to freeze.

Background

Many non-metallic mineral flotation plants rely on the use of fatty acids to make the desired mineral hydrophobic. Since mineral collector adhesion occurs more efficiently at elevated temperatures, at least above the temperature at which fatty acids begin to solidify, many processes rely on some form of heat during conditioning.

In cold water flotation of non-metallic minerals, the recovery rate decreases as the temperature of the process water decreases. This is due to poor binding of the collector to the mineral. Some laboratory studies have been performed in order to find non-metallic mineral collectors that can be used in cold water. Most use fatty acids in combination with some type of emulsifier; however, none have been successful.

The decrease in recovery associated with a decrease in pulp temperature is particularly problematic in cold climates where mineral recovery is always worse in winter than in summer.

Based on the above, it would be desirable to provide novel reagent blends that inhibit the freezing temperature of fatty acids.

It is further desirable that the reagent allows the use of fatty acid collectors at reduced cost to plants, especially in cold climates.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to an agent blend for use in mineral flotation, the agent blend comprising: a fatty acid; an emulsifying agent; and a glycol ether. The emulsifying agent may comprise 5% by weight of the agent blend and the glycol ether may comprise 1% by weight of the agent blend.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of making a blend of reagents for use in mineral flotation, the method comprising: adding 5% emulsifying agent to fatty acid; mixing; adding 1% of glycol ether; and mixing to produce a solution. Both the emulsifying agent and the fatty acid may be above the temperature at which solids begin to leave (precipitate from) the solution.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a mineral flotation process comprising the use of a reagent blend, wherein the reagent blend comprises: a fatty acid; an emulsifying agent; and a glycol ether. The method may not include applying heat. The emulsifying agent may comprise 5% by weight of the agent blend and the glycol ether may comprise 1% by weight of the agent blend.

Detailed Description

The apparatus and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and should not be construed as limiting in scope.

Although the apparatus and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be noted that many changes may be made in the details of the construction and arrangement of the apparatus and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the apparatus and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of illustration.

In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to novel reagent blends and methods as follows: thereby, the fatty acid collector can be used at temperatures below which it normally starts to freeze. The agent blend, when used in specific proportions, suppresses the fatty acid solidification temperature, thereby eliminating the use of heat. This can allow the use of fatty acid collectors at reduced cost in plants, especially in cold climates.

The reagent blend may include three components: a fatty acid; an emulsifying agent; and a glycol ether. The fatty acid and the emulsifier may be above the temperature at which the solids begin to leave the solution. The reagent blend may be prepared by: add 5% emulsifier to the fatty acid and mix well. Then 1% glycol ether may be added to the mixture and blended again. The fatty acid and emulsifier combination may not have the desired effect without the addition of the glycol ether.

The fatty acid can be any desired fatty acid. Likewise, any desired emulsifying agent may be used. In particular, PM950 supplied by Axis House was used as the emulsifying agent during the test.

In plants where heat must be applied to the system, typically in order to use the fatty acids, the use of the reagent blend may allow for mineral recovery without the application of heat. In plants that typically do not use heat, the use of the reagent blend can result in increased mineral recovery. In cold climates, which typically experience reduced rates of harvest during winter compared to summer, the use of the agent blend can equalize seasonal harvest rates.

Example (b):

the reagent blends of the present invention were tested using the Sylfat FA2 fatty acid collector. The results of this test are as follows.

FA2 had a cloud point of about 14 ℃ due to its saturated fat content. Fat consists of: fatty acids and glycerol; those having one or more double bonds in the carbon-carbon linkage are referred to as unsaturated fatty acids and examples include oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. Sylfat FA2, Tall Oil Fatty Acid (TOFA), is an acid functional combination of a relatively highly unsaturated (unsalted) long chain (C18) with a carboxyl group (-COOH).

The cloud point of the fatty acid mixture slowly decreases as the unsaturated fatty acid content increases. The cold resistance of the fat can be improved if it is inhibited from undergoing crystal growth when the fat is cooled. If one were able to find a chemical that dissolves the saturated component that crystallizes first from the fatty acid upon cooling and has itself a very low freezing point, it would lower the freezing point of the blending agent. The agent must not have a negative effect on the properties of the original fatty acid. One such chemical having a freezing point well below 0 ℃ is a glycol ether, which is the main component of the W31 blowing agent.

Tests have shown that a solution of 0.5% W31 in emulsified FA2 reduces the cloud point from 14 ℃ to 7 ℃ and 1% W31 reduces the cloud point to 1 ℃.

Four laboratory tests were performed, one at ambient, the second with feed water reduced to 6 ℃ and two with feed water temperature reduced to 3 ℃. The collector used in the cold water test was a blend of 95% fatty acid and 5% emulsifier, with the addition of 1% W31.

Test 1:

this is a baseline, standard environmental test that yields a concentrate grade of 98.5% CaF2, 0.46% SiO2, and an open circuit recovery of 80.5%.

Test 2:

the first cold water test was conditioned at 7 ℃ and cleaned at 10 ℃ to give a concentrate grade of 99% CaF2 and 0.47% SiO2 with an open circuit recovery of 78.9%. Since this is encouraging, it was decided to use the same reagents but clean at 3 ℃ to perform a third test. This lower temperature must be tested to ensure that the oleate-fluorite bond is strong enough to withstand the cold water factory cleaner spray.

Test 3:

this colder water does affect flotation and has significant over-suppression. As a result, the test was terminated at the second detergent stage. The inversion calculation resulted in a first cleaner recovery of only 61.6% with a grade of 97.6% CaF 2. Therefore, a fourth test using reduced inhibitors is necessary.

Test 4:

in this test, fluorite was conditioned at 7 ℃ and floated in a cleaner at 3 ℃. The inhibitor used in this test was half that used at ambient temperature. The resulting concentrate was identified as over 99% CaF2, and had 0.45% silica and 83.9% open circuit recovery. For such cold water, these results are considered to be non-trivial.

Discussion:

for cold water flotation, it is often the case that a thick immobile froth is produced due to the excess collector required. This results in a high foam factor and difficulties in breaking up the foam in the launder and subsequent pumping problems. With the new agent, no such difficulties are encountered and an open, well draining foam is formed throughout. It should be noted that clean water was used in the laboratory work.

While the apparatus and method have been described in connection with the claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications besides those shown or suggested herein may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.