Abstract To concentrate constituents of a mixture of slimed minerals, the mixture is formed into a well-deflocculated aqueous pulp. One (or more) of the constituents is selectively filmed with a hydrophobic coating and flocculated by intensively agitating the deflocculated pulp with a suitable selective polar-nonpolar reagent. The pulp is then allowed to settle under quiescent conditions (i.e., without aeration or intensive agitation). The flocculated hydrophobic particles rise and float on the surface of the deflocculated slip as loosely-bonded agglomerates. The deflocculated slip is separated from the floated matter. Separation may be carried out at higher pulp solids and with less expensive equipment than when froth flotation is employed with a slimed pulp that has been similarly conditioned.
Inventors
👤 Samuel R Weir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-29 02:30
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03D; B03D3/00; B03D3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said slimed oxide particles are composed of an oxide of a transition metal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said slimed siliceous particles are kaolin clay and said slimed oxide particles are a colored titania impurity in the clay.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the slip of kaolin clay containing colored titania impurity undergoes an increase in temperature of at least 10* F. during said agitation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the slip is subjected to said intensive agitation and is maintained quiescent at a clay solids content within the range of 15 to 25 percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said slip of deflocculated clay that has been separated from said layer of agglomerates is subjected to high shear agitation without being diluted and, after the agitation has been terminated, the slip is maintained quiescent without aeration until residual titaniferous particles rise and form a floated layer, and the slip is separated from the floated layer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for removing colored titaniferous impurities from a fine size fraction of kaolin clay which consists essentially of providing a deflocculated alkaline aqueous slip of said clay containing sodium silicate and added alkali, agitating said slip with a high energy input at a total solids level in excess of 15 percent with a fatty acid soap and a substantial quantity of minus 325 mesh particles different from said clay and capable of being rendered hydrophobic until the temperature of the slip increases by at least 10* F. and the particles of impurity and added minus 325 mesh particles are coated with soap, discontinuing the agitation, without diluting the slip maintaining it under conditions sufficiently quiescent for the slip to stratify into an upper sponge-like layer containing soap-coated particles, which layer floats on a deflocculated slip of purified clay, and separating the deflocculated slip from said sponge-like layer.