• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    method for enhancing the performance of a foamer in a suspension separation in a medium by foam flotation, microemulsion for enhancing the performance of a foam separation, and, mixing. the invention provides methods and compositions for improving foam flotation type separation. the method uses a microemulsion to improve the effectiveness of a foamer. the improvement allows for low dosages of working foamer as well as much larger amounts of non-microemulsion foamer.
    公开号:BR112016006908B1
    申请号:R112016006908-0
    申请日:2014-09-29
    公开日:2021-06-22
    发明作者:James Adrian Counter；John D. Kildea
    申请人:Ecolab Usa Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Fundamentals of the Invention
    [001] The invention relates to new methods, compositions and apparatus to enhance the effectiveness of foam flotation beneficiation processes. In a beneficiation process, two or more materials that coexist in a mixture (the fines) are separated from each other using chemical and/or mechanical processes. Often, one material (the beneficiary) is more valuable or desired than the other material (the denim).
    [002] As described, for example, in US patents 4,756,823, 5,304,317, 5,379,902, 7,553,984, 6,827,220, 8,093,303, 8,123,042 and in Published Patent Applications US 2010/0181520 A1 and 2011/0198296, and US Patent Application 13/687,042, one form of beneficiation is foam flotation separation. Commonly, flotation uses the difference in the hydrophobicity of the respective components. The components are introduced into the flotation apparatus sprayed with air to form bubbles. The hydrophobic particles preferably attach to the bubbles, buoying them to the top of the apparatus. The floated particles (the concentrate) are collected, the water removed and accumulated as a salable product. The less hydrophobic particles (the tailings) tend to migrate to the bottom of the device where they can be removed.
    [003] Two common forms of flotation separation processes are direct flotation and reverse flotation. In direct flotation processes, the concentrate is the beneficiary and the tailings are the gangue. In reverse flotation processes, the gangue constituent is floated in the concentrate and the beneficiary remains behind in the suspension. The object of flotation is to separate and recover as much of the valuable constituent(s) from the fines as possible in as high a concentration as possible, which is then made available for further downstream processing steps .
    [004] Foam flotation separation can be used to separate solids from solids (such as the constituents of mine ores) or liquids from solids or other liquids (such as separating bitumen from oil sands). When used on solids, foam separation also often includes causing the solids to be comminuted (crushed by techniques such as dry milling, wet milling, and the like). After the solids have been ground, they are more easily dispersed in the suspension and small hydrophobic solid particles can more easily adhere to the spray bubbles.
    [005] There are several additives that can be added to increase the efficiency of a foam flotation separation. Collectors are additives that adhere to the surface of the concentrate particles and enhance their overall hydrophobicity. Gas bubbles, then, preferably adhere to the hydrophobized concentrate and are more easily removed from the suspension than the other constituents, which are less hydrophobic or are hydrophilic. As a result, the collector efficiently pulls particular constituents out of the suspension while the remaining residues, which are not modified by the collector, remain in the suspension. Examples of collectors include oily products such as fuel oil, tar oil, animal oil, vegetable oil, fatty acids, fatty amines, and hydrophobic polymers. Other additives include foaming agents, promoters, regulators, modifiers, depressants (deactivators) and/or activators, which enhance the selectivity of the flotation step and facilitate removal of the concentrate from the suspension.
    [006] The performance of collectors can be enhanced by the use of modifiers. Modifiers can either increase collector adsorption on a particular mineral (promoters), or prevent collector adsorption on a mineral (depressants). Promoters are a wide variety of chemicals that, in one or more ways, enhance the effectiveness of collectors. One way promoters work is by intensifying the dispersion of the collector within the suspension. Another way is by increasing the adhesive force between the concentrate and the bubbles. A third way is by increasing the selectivity of what sticks to bubbles. This can be achieved by increasing the hydrophilic properties of materials selected to remain within the suspension, these being commonly referred to as depressants.
    [007] Foaming agents or foaming agents are chemicals added to the process that have the ability to change the surface tension of a liquid so that the properties of the spray bubbles are modified. Foamers can act to stabilize the air bubbles so that they remain well dispersed in the suspension, and will form a stable foam layer that can be removed before the bubbles burst. Ideally, the foam maker should not enhance the flotation of unwanted material and the foam should have a tendency to break when removed from the flotation apparatus. The collectors are typically added before the foamers and both need to be such that they do not chemically interfere with each other. Commonly used foamers include pine oil, aliphatic alcohols such as MIBC (methyl isobutyl carbinol), polyglycols, polyglycol ethers, polypropylene glycol ethers, polyoxyparaffins, cresylic acid (xylenol), commercially available alcohol blends such as those produced from production of 2-ethylhexanol and any combination thereof.
    [008] The foam must be strong enough to support the weight of the floated mineral and yet not be tenacious and non-floating. The effectiveness of a foamer is also dependent on the nature of the fluid in which the flotation process is conducted. Unfortunately, contradictory principles of chemistry are present at work in the separation of foam flotation which causes difficulties in such interactions. Because foam flotation separation depends on separation between more hydrophobic and more hydrophilic particles, the suspending medium often includes water. Because, however, many commonly used foamers are themselves poorly soluble in water if at all soluble, they do not disperse well in water which causes their interactions with bubbles to be suboptimal.
    [009] Thus, it is evident that it is found to be of definite use in methods, compositions and enhanced apparatus for the application of foam formers in the foam separation suspension. The technique described in this section is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is "prior art" with respect to this invention, unless specifically designated as such. In addition, this section should not be interpreted to mean that a survey has been conducted or that any other pertinent information exists, as defined in 37 CFR § 1.56(a). Brief Summary of the Invention
    [0010] At least one embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for enhancing the performance of the foaming agent in a flotation separation in suspension foam in a medium. The method comprises the steps of: making a stable microemulsion of the foamer, a surfactant (optionally also with a cosurfactant) and water, and mixing this microemulsion with the medium, fines, and other additives, and removing the concentrate from the suspension by spraying the suspension.
    [0011] The microemulsion can enhance the efficiency of the foam separation process. More concentrate can be removed than if a larger amount of foamer had been used in a non-microemulsion form. The microemulsion can comprise a continuous phase which is water and a dispersed phase. The microemulsion as a whole, by weight, may consist of: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of a foaming component such as an alcohol mixture which is from a waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-15% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, 1-20% propylene glycol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0012] The microemulsion, as a whole, by weight, may consist of: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of a foaming component such as an alcohol mixture that is from a stream of scrap from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0013] The microemulsion, as a whole, by weight, may consist of: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of a foaming component such as an alcohol mixture that is from a stream of scrap from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% propylene glycol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0014] The microemulsion, as a whole, by weight, may consist of: 1-99% water, 1-50% of a foaming component such as an alcohol mixture that is from a production waste stream 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-30% 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, 1-20% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0015] The suspension may comprise a mineral containing an item selected from the list consisting of: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar, fluoride, heavy metal oxides , talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, non-sulfide mineral, and any combination thereof.
    [0016] The foam former may be one that does not remain in a stable emulsion state unless in a microemulsion form.
    [0017] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following detailed description. Detailed Description of the Invention
    [0018] The following definitions are given to determine how the terms used in this application and, in particular, how the claims, are to be interpreted. The organization of definitions is for convenience only and is not intended to limit any of the definitions to a particular category.
    [0019] "Collector" means a composition of matter that selectively adheres to a particular constituent of the fines and facilitates the adhesion of the particular constituent to the microbubbles that result from the spraying of a suspension containing fines.
    [0020] "Comminuted" means powdered, pulverized, crushed, or otherwise made into fine solid particles.
    [0021] "Concentrate" means that part of the fine that is separated from the suspension by flotation and collected within the foam layer.
    [0022] "Consisting essentially of" means that the methods and compositions may include additional steps, components, ingredients or the like, but only if the additional steps, components and/or ingredients do not materially change the basic and novel characteristics of the methods and compositions claimed.
    [0023] "Fine" means a composition of matter containing a mixture of a more desired material, the recipient, and a less desired material, denim.
    [0024] "Foaming" or "foaming agent" means a composition of matter that enhances the formation of microbubbles and/or preserves the formed microbubbles containing the hydrophobic fraction resulting from spraying the suspension.
    [0025] "Microemulsion" means a dispersion comprising a substantially uniformly dispersed, continuous-phase material within which are droplets of a dispersed-phase material, the droplets being sized in the range of approximately 1 to 100 nm, generally 10 to 50 nm.
    [0026] "Suspension" means a mixture comprising a liquid medium in which fines (which may be liquids or finely divided solids) are dispersed or suspended, when the suspension is sprayed, the residues remain in the suspension and at least some As the concentrate adheres to the spray bubbles and rises out of the suspension into a layer of foam above the suspension, the liquid medium may be wholly water, partially water, or may contain no water at all.
    [0027] "Stable emulsion" means an emulsion in which droplets of a material dispersed in a carrier fluid that otherwise fuse to form two or more phase layers are repelled from each other by an energy barrier, the barrier of energy being higher than that, as low as 20 kT, or less, the repulsion may have a half-life of a few years. Descriptions of stable emulsions and emulsions are specified generally in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Edition, Volume 9, and in particular on pages 397-403 and Emulsions, Theory and practice, 3a. ed., by Paul Becher, Oxford University Press, (2001).
    [0028] "Surfactant" and "cosurfactant" is a broad term that includes anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants, a cosurfactant is an addition of one or more surfactants present with a distinct first surfactant that acts in addition to the first surfactant, to further reduce or reduce the surface tension of a liquid. Other descriptions of surfactants and cosurfactants are given in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, third edition, volume 8, pages 900-912, and in McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
    [0029] "Sprinkling" means the introduction of gas into a liquid for the purpose of creating a plurality of bubbles that migrate upwards in the liquid.
    [0030] In the event that the above definitions or a description given elsewhere in the application are inconsistent with a meaning (explicit or implied) that is commonly used in a dictionary, or indicated in an incorporated source by reference to this application, the The terms of the application and the claims are, in particular, to be understood as being interpreted in accordance with the definition or description of this application, and not in accordance with the common definition, dictionary definition, or the definition which has been incorporated by reference. In light of the foregoing, in the event that a term can be understood as interpreted by a dictionary, if the term is defined by Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th. ed., (2005), (published by Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.), this definition should control how the term should be defined in the claims.
    [0031] In at least one embodiment, a foam flotation separation process is enhanced by adding a composition of the invention to the suspension. The composition comprises a foamer, a solvent (such as water and/or another solvent) and one or more surfactants (optionally with one or more cosurfactants) and is in the form of a microemulsion. In at least one embodiment, the foamer is added in an amount that is insufficient to effectively foam the suspension alone or only at a lower rate than desired. However, because it is dispersed in the form of a microemulsion, the composition foams the suspension much more effectively.
    [0032] The composition not only intensifies the concentrate recovery, but increases the selectivity of the bubbles increasing the beneficiary ratio and reducing the proportion of gangue in the concentrate. Although effective in many forms of beneficiation, the invention is particularly effective in coal flotation.
    [0033] A microemulsion is a dispersion comprising a continuous-phase material, dispersed within which are droplets of a dispersed-phase material. Droplets are sized in the range of approximately 1 to 100 nm, usually 10 to 50 nm. Due to the extremely small droplet size, a microemulsion is isotropic and thermodynamically stable. In at least one embodiment, the composition comprises materials which, if dispersed in droplets larger than microemulsion size, would not be thermodynamically stable and would separate into two or more layers in discrete phase. In at least one embodiment, the continuous phase material comprises water. In at least one embodiment, the dispersed phase material and/or the continuous phase material comprises one or more hydrophobic materials. In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion is, as described, within the Terminology of polymers and polymerization processes in dispersed systems (IUPAC Recommendations 2011), by Stanislaw Slomkowski et al, Pure and Applied Chemistry Vol. 83 Issue 12 , pp. 2229-2259 (2011).
    [0034] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion is sufficiently stable for storage and transport before being added to the suspension. In at least one modality, the microemulsion is stable for at least 1 year. In at least one modality, because the droplets are so small, the hydrostatic forces, which otherwise coalesce larger droplets into phased layers, effectively retain the micro-sized droplets in position, thus making the microemulsion highly stable and highly effective .
    [0035] Without being limited to a particular theory of the invention and, in particular, in interpreting the claims, it is believed that by forming a microemulsion, the properties of the foam former are fundamentally modified. One effect is that the microemulsion increases the surface area of the dispersed-phase foamer and thus increases its effectiveness by increasing the number of particle-bubble interactions. This has the effect of forming smaller and smaller spray bubbles than they would otherwise form. These more populous, smaller bubbles adhere more effectively to concentrate and more selectively bind the recipient material.
    [0036] Although some microemulsions can form spontaneously, when they form, the selection of their components and relative amounts are very critical to their formation, their final characteristics, such as optical appearance, and their organoleptic and thermodynamic time stability . Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to convert a foaming composition into a microemulsion. Many foamers are naturally hydrophobic and will tend to coalesce and phase out. Furthermore, many emulsifying agents will either not form the appropriately sized droplet or inhibit the foaming effectiveness. As a result, the following microemulsion foamer compositions are surprisingly effective.
    [0037] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion composition comprises: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of an alcohol mixture that comes from the refuse stream for the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, 1-20% propylene glycol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0038] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion composition comprises: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of an alcohol mixture that comes from the refuse stream for the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0039] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion composition comprises: 1-99% water, mixed with: 1-50% of an alcohol mixture that comes from the refuse stream for the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% propylene glycol, and 110% potassium hydroxide.
    [0040] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion composition comprises: 1-99% water, 1-50% of an alcohol mixture that comes from the refuse stream for the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1 -30% 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0041] In at least one embodiment, the composition comprises less than 32% water.
    [0042] When 2-ethyl hexanol is synthesized, a waste stream is produced. For example, as described in Chinese Patent Publication CN 101973847 B, the scrap stream may include, but is not limited to, 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, C12 and higher alcohols, C8 to C12 and higher diols, alkyl ethers, alkyl esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, C12H24O and C12H22O pyrans, aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic acetals. Some or all of the constituents of this waste stream can be used in the inventive composition. Several commercially available formulations of this blend of alcohols are available for sale.
    [0043] In at least one embodiment, a composition added to the suspension contains one or more materials or is added in accordance with one of the processes described in one or more of: Canadian Patent Application CA 2150216 A1, UK Patent Application United GB 2171929 A, and The use of reagents in coal flotation, by Laskowski, JS; et al, Processing of Hydrophobic Minerals and Fine Coal, Proceedings of the UBC-McGill Bi-Annual International Symposium on Fundamentals of Mineral Processing, 1st, Vancouver , BC, August. 20-24, 1995 (1995), pp. 191-197.
    [0044] In at least one embodiment, the dosage range for the microemulsion foamer in the suspension should be >0 - 100ppm of active foamer.
    [0045] In at least one modality, the microemulsion is applied in any one or more of the following processes: ore beneficiation containing: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite , calamine, feldspar, fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, and any combination thereof, sulfide ores including but not limited to copper , gold and silver, iron, lead, nickel and cobalt, platinum, zinc, complex sulfide ores such as but not limited to copper-lead-zinc, non-sulfide minerals such as coal, barite, calamine, feldspar, fluorite, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite and kaolin clay, and any combination thereof.
    [0046] In at least one embodiment, microemulsions form spontaneously when the components are put together. As long as the components are in the correct proportion, the mixture can be optically clear and/or can be thermodynamically stable. Thus, its manufacture can be reduced to simple kneading without the need for mixing with high costly energy consumption. Also, microemulsions are often not prone to separation or settling, which can result in their long-term storage stability. In at least one embodiment, only gentle mixing is needed to restore a microemulsion if it has already been frozen.
    Representative foamers useful in the invention include, but are not limited to, aliphatic alcohols, cyclic alcohols, propylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and polypropylene glycol ethers, polyglycol ethers, glycerol ethers of polyglycol, polyoxy paraffins, natural oils like pine oil a mixture of alcohol, which comes from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol and any combination thereof.
    Representative surfactants/cosurfactants usable in the invention include, but are not limited to polyoxyalkylene homopolymers and copolymers; aliphatic or aromatic, mono- and polyhydric, straight-chain or branched alcohols and their monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric alkoxylates; salts of saturated or unsaturated, branched-chain or straight-chain C8-C35 fatty acids; di- and tri-propylene glycol; polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ethers and glycol ethers, and any combination thereof.
    [0049] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion is an oil-in-water type of microemulsion.
    [0050] In at least one embodiment, the microemulsion is a water-in-oil type of microemulsion.
    [0051] In at least one embodiment, microemulsion is one or more than one: Winsor type I microemulsion, Winsor type II microemulsion, Winsor type III microemulsion, and any combination thereof.
    [0052] The composition can be used together with, or in the absence of a collector. It can be added to the suspension before, after, or simultaneously with the addition of a collector. It can be added before, during or after spraying and/or milling has started. The composition can be used with or without any collector in any flotation process.
    [0053] When used together with a collector, the collector can comprise at least one of the collector compositions and/or other compositions described in scientific papers: Application research on emulsive collector for coal flotation, by C.L. Han et al., Xuanmei Jishu, vol. 3 pages 4-6 (2005), The use of reagents in coal flotation, by JS Laskowski, Proceedings of the UBC-McGill Bi-Annual International Symposium on Fundamentals of Mineral Processing, Vancouver, BC, CIMM, August, 20-24 ( 1995), Effect of collector emulsification on coal flotation kinetics and on recovery of different particle sizes, by AM Saleh, Mineral Processing on the edge of the 21st Century, Proceedings of the International Mineral Processing Symposium, 8th, Antalya, Turkey, Oct. 16 -18, 2000, pp. 391-396 (2000), Application of novel emulsified flotation reagent in coal slime flotation, by W.W. Xie, Xuanmei Jishu vol. 2 pp. 13-15 (2007), A study of surfactant/oil emulsions for fine coal flotation, by Q. Yu et al., Advance in Fine Particle Processing, Proc. Int. Symp. pp. 345-355, (1990), and Evaluation of new emulsified floatation reagent for coal, by S.Q. Zhu, Science Press Beijing, vol. 2 pp. 1943-1950 (2008).
    [0054] In at least one modality, at least part of the collector is at least one item selected from the list consisting of: fatty acids, fatty acid esters, neutralized fatty acids, soaps, amine compounds, compounds petroleum-based oils (such as diesel fuels, decanted oils, and light cycle oils, kerosene or fuel oils), organic type collector, and any combination thereof.
    [0055] In at least one modality, the organic-type collector is a sulfur-containing material that includes items such as xanthates, xanthogen formats, thionocarbamates, dithiophosphates (including sodium, zinc and other salts of dithiophosphates), and mercaptans ( including mercaptobenzothiazole), ethyl octyl sulfide, and any combination thereof.
    [0056] In at least one embodiment, the collector includes "extender oil", wherein at least one second collector is used to reduce the required dosage of at least one other more expensive collector.
    [0057] In at least one modality, the emulsifier comprises at least one of the surfactants described in the scientific textbook Emulsions: Theory and Practice, 3rd Edition, by Paul Becher, Oxford University Press, (2001).
    [0058] In at least one embodiment, the surfactant is at least one item selected from the list consisting of: ethoxylated sorbitan esters (such as Tween 81 by Sigma Aldrich), soy lecithin, sodium stearoyl lactylate, DATEM (acid tartaric diacetyl) (monoglyceride ester), surfactants, detergents, and any combination thereof.
    [0059] In at least one modality, the following items are added to a suspension medium: fines, foaming, surfactant forming microemulsion and optionally a collector. Items can be added simultaneously or in any order possible. Any, some, or all items can be pre-mixed together before being added to the suspension medium. The suspending medium can be any liquid, including, but not limited to, water, alcohol, aromatic liquid, phenol, azeotropes, and any combination thereof. Optionally, items can include one or more other additives. EXAMPLES
    [0060] The foregoing may be better understood by reference to the following examples, which are presented for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In particular, the examples demonstrate representative examples of the innate principles of the invention and these principles are not strictly limited to the specific condition described in these examples. As a result, it is to be understood that the invention encompasses various changes and modifications to the examples described herein and all changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. Therefore, such changes and modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
    [0061] Two microemulsion samples of the foam maker were prepared and tested. They have been applied to a coal ore beneficiation process in various quantities and both in the presence and absence of a collector. Its effectiveness is shown in Table 1. % Yield is a measure of the amount of fines that has been removed as a concentrate. Ash % is a measure of the amount of unwanted material that was present in the concentrate when the coal was burned. The performance of the microemulsion samples were compared with the effectives of a commercially available MIBC emulsifier and another commercially available emulsifier (component A).
    [0062] Sample I contained 30%, foaming component A, being a commercially available alcohol mixture, a tailing stream derived from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 5%, commercially available fatty acid, 15%, surfactant 2 commercially available butoxy ethanol, 15%, commercially available polypropylene glycol, 31.5% water and 3.5% potassium hydroxide (45%) solution in water.
    [0063] Sample II contained 50%, foaming component A, being a commercially available alcohol mixture, a tailing stream derived from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 15% commercially available fatty acid, 2-ethyl hexanoic acid , 14.0%, commercially available 2-butoxy ethanol surfactant, 15.5% water, and 5.5% potassium hydroxide solution (45%) in water.
    [0064] Samples 1 and 2 are examples representing the general principle of converting any foaming agent into the form of a microemulsion and using this microemulsion as the foaming agent, Table I.


    [0065] The data demonstrates that a much smaller amount of active foaming composition (as low as 20-60% or more, or even less) is needed to obtain the same or better effects than a much larger amount of builder of foam, if the foam former is added to the suspension in the form of a microemulsion.
    [0066] Although this invention may be embodied in many different forms, specific preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein. The present description is an example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. All patents, patent applications, scientific articles, as well as any other materials mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, the invention encompasses any possible combination of some or all of the various embodiments described and/or incorporated herein. Furthermore, the invention encompasses any possible combination that also specifically excludes any one or some of the various embodiments described and/or incorporated herein.
    [0067] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives for one skilled in this technique. All of these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims, where the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to". Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
    [0068] All ranges and parameters presented herein are intended to encompass any and all sub-ranges included, and each number between the end points. For example, a described range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all sub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges starting with a minimum value of 1 or more (eg 1 to 6.1), and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, (eg 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 contained within the range. All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight unless otherwise specified.
    [0069] This completes the description of preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents of the specific embodiment described herein, which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (33)
    [0001]
    1. Method for enhancing the performance of a foamer in a suspension separation in a medium by foam flotation, the method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: mixing a stable foaming microemulsion, the medium, the fines, and optionally other additives and removing the concentrate from the suspension by spraying the suspension; wherein the microemulsion comprises a continuous phase which is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, comprises: 1-99% water, 1-50% of a combination of alcohols which is a from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethylhexanol and comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, alcohols with 12 carbon atoms or more, diols with 8 to 12 atoms of carbon or more, alkyl ethers, alkyl esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, pyran C12H24O, pyran C12H22O, aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic acetals, 1-15% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxyethanol, 1-20% of propylene glycol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0002]
    2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the microemulsion improves the efficiency of the foam separation process.
    [0003]
    3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that more concentrate is removed than if a larger amount of foamer has been used in a form other than microemulsion.
    [0004]
    4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the continuous phase is water.
    [0005]
    5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the microemulsion additionally comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: polyoxyalkylene homopolymers, polyoxyalkylene copolymers; straight chain polyhydric polymers, branched chain polyhydric polymers, salts of C8-C35 fatty acids, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ethers, glycol ethers, ethoxylated sorbitan esters, soy lecithin, stearoyl- sodium lactylate, DATEM, detergents, and any combination thereof.
    [0006]
    6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier fluid comprises an item selected from the group consisting of: water, alcohol, aromatic liquid, phenol, azeotropes, and any combination thereof.
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the microemulsion additionally comprises a surfactant.
    [0008]
    8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension comprises a mineral containing an item selected from the list consisting of: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar, fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, mineral other than sulfide, and any combination thereof.
    [0009]
    9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam former does not remain in a stable emulsion state unless in a microemulsion form.
    [0010]
    10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the microemulsion comprises a surfactant together with at least one cosurfactant.
    [0011]
    11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam former comprises only one or a combination of more than one active foam former component.
    [0012]
    12. Method for enhancing the performance of a foamer in a suspension separation in a medium by foam flotation, the method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: mixing a stable foaming microemulsion, the medium, the fines, and optionally other additives, and removing the concentrate from the suspension by spraying the suspension; wherein the microemulsion comprises a continuous phase which is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, comprises: 1-99% water, 1-50% of a combination of alcohols, which is from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxy ethanol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0013]
    13. Method for enhancing the performance of a foamer in a suspension separation in a medium by foam flotation, the method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: mixing a stable foaming microemulsion, the medium, the fines, and optionally other additives, and removing the concentrate from the suspension by spraying the suspension; wherein the microemulsion comprises a continuous phase which is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, comprises: 1-99% water, 1-50% of a mixture of alcohols, which is from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% propylene glycol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0014]
    14. Method for enhancing the performance of a foamer in a suspension separation in a medium by foam flotation, the method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: mixing a stable foaming microemulsion, the medium, the fines, and optionally other additives, and removing the concentrate from the suspension by spraying the suspension; wherein the microemulsion comprises a continuous phase which is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, comprises: 1-99% water, 1-50% of a combination of alcohols which is a from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-30% 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, 1-20% 2-butoxy ethanol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0015]
    15. Microemulsion to enhance the performance of a foam separation, the microemulsion characterized by the fact that it comprises a continuous phase that is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, in which the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, consists of: 1- 99% water, 150% of a combination of alcohols which is from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol and comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of: 2-ethylhexan-1-ol, alcohols with 12 carbon atoms or more, diols with 8 to 12 carbon atoms or more, alkyl ethers, alkyl esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, C12H24O pyran, C12H22O pyran, aliphatic aldehydes and aliphatic acetals, 1-20% C8C10 fatty acids, 1-30% 2-butoxyethanol, and 1-10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0016]
    16. Mixture of a suspension in a medium, characterized in that it comprises the microemulsion as defined in claim 15, a medium, and fines.
    [0017]
    17. Mixture according to claim 16, characterized in that the fines comprise a mineral selected from: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar , fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, non-sulfide mineral, and any combination thereof .
    [0018]
    18. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that it additionally comprises 1-20% by weight of propylene glycol, wherein the microemulsion contains 1-15% by weight of C8-C10 fatty acids.
    [0019]
    19. Mixture characterized in that it comprises the microemulsion as defined in claim 4, a medium, and fines.
    [0020]
    20. Mixture according to claim 19, characterized in that the fines comprise a mineral selected from: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar , fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, non-sulfide mineral, and any combination thereof .
    [0021]
    21. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the continuous phase is water.
    [0022]
    22. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that it additionally comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: polyoxyalkylene homopolymers, polyoxyalkylene copolymers; straight chain polyhydric polymers, branched chain polyhydric polymers, salts of C8-C35 fatty acids, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol ethers, glycol ethers, ethoxylated sorbitan esters, soy lecithin, stearoyl- sodium lactylate, DATEM, detergents, and any combination thereof.
    [0023]
    23. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the carrier fluid comprises an item selected from the group consisting of: water, alcohol, aromatic liquid, phenol, azeotropes, and any combination thereof.
    [0024]
    24. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the microemulsion additionally comprises a surfactant.
    [0025]
    25. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the foam former does not remain in a stable emulsion state unless in a microemulsion form.
    [0026]
    26. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the microemulsion comprises a surfactant together with at least one cosurfactant.
    [0027]
    27. Microemulsion according to claim 15, characterized in that the foam former comprises only one or a combination of more than one active foam former component.
    [0028]
    28. Microemulsion to enhance the performance of a foam separation, the microemulsion characterized by the fact that it comprises a continuous phase that is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, in which the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, consists of: 1- 99% water, 150% alcohol mixture, which is from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-20% C8-C10 fatty acids, 1-30% propylene glycol, and 1- 10% potassium hydroxide
    [0029]
    29. Mixture characterized in that it comprises the microemulsion as defined in claim 28, a medium, and fines.
    [0030]
    30. Mixture according to claim 29, characterized in that the fines comprise a mineral selected from: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar , fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, non-sulfide mineral, and any combination thereof .
    [0031]
    31. Microemulsion to enhance the performance of a foam separation, the microemulsion characterized by the fact that it comprises a continuous phase that is a carrier fluid and a dispersed phase, in which the microemulsion as a whole, by weight, consists of: 1- 99% water, 150% of a combination of alcohols which is from the waste stream from the production of 2-ethyl hexanol, 1-30% of 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, 1-20% of 2-butoxy ethanol, and 1 -10% potassium hydroxide.
    [0032]
    32. Mixture characterized in that it comprises the microemulsion as defined in claim 30, a medium, and fines.
    [0033]
    33. Mixture according to claim 32, characterized in that the fines comprise a mineral selected from: copper, gold, silver, iron, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, coal, barite, calamine, feldspar , fluoride, heavy metal oxides, talc, potash, phosphate, iron, graphite, kaolin clay, bauxite, pyrite, mica, quartz, sulfide ore, complex sulfide mineral, non-sulfide mineral, and any combination thereof .
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    CA2926011A1|2015-04-09|
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    BR112016006908A2|2017-08-01|
    EP3052243A4|2017-06-14|
    WO2015050807A1|2015-04-09|
    AU2014329820A1|2016-04-21|
    PE20160730A1|2016-07-23|
    AP2016009168A0|2016-04-30|
    ZA201602822B|2017-11-29|
    AU2014329820B2|2017-02-02|
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    EP3052243A1|2016-08-10|
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    法律状态:
    2019-12-10| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2021-05-04| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-06-22| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 29/09/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US14/042,974|US9440242B2|2013-10-01|2013-10-01|Frothers for mineral flotation|
    US14/042974|2013-10-01|
    PCT/US2014/057990|WO2015050807A1|2013-10-01|2014-09-29|Frothers for mineral flotation|
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