US4132635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beneficiation of iron ores by froth flotation
Assignee: Michigan Technological University
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Filing: 1977-01-13
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Granted: 1979-01-02
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Expires: 1997-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Iron oxides of finely-ground, low grade, siliceous oxidized iron ores can be effectively floated from the silica-bearing gangue in the presence of slime by conditioning an aqueous pulp of the ore with a reagent formed by incorporating a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt into an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate prior to subjecting the pulp to froth flotation in the presence of an anionic type collector.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Yang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:49
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03D; B03D1/00; B03D1/001; B03D1/004; B03D1/008; B03D1/002; B03D2201/00; B03D2201/02; B03D2203/00; B03D2203/02; B03D2203/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of beneficiating siliceous oxidized iron ores by froth flotation of iron oxide from silica-containing gangue including the steps of forming an aqueous pulp of the ore having a particle size suitable for froth flotation; conditioning the pulp by adding thereto a pre-mixed conditioning reagent formed by mixing a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.05 to about 4 pounds of alkali metal silicate per ton of ore, calculated as SiO 2 equivalent, and to provide from about 0.02 to about 2 pounds of polyvalent metal salt per ton of ore, and by adding thereto an effective amount of an anionic collector selective to flotation of iron oxide; and subjecting the conditioned pulp to a flotation operation whereby a concentrate containing a major portion of the iron oxide and a tailing relatively rich in silica are produced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of beneficiating siliceous oxidized iron ores by froth flotation of iron oxide from silica-containing gangue including the steps of forming an aqueous pulp of the ore having a particle size suitable for froth flotation; conditioning the pulp by adding thereto a pre-mixed conditioning reagent formed by mixing a water-soluble polyvalent metal salt with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.05 to about 4 pounds of alkali metal silicate per ton of ore, calculated as SiO 2 equivalent, and to provide from about 0.02 to about 2 pounds of polyvalent metal salt per ton of ore, and by adding thereto an effective amount of an anionic collector selective to flotation of iron oxide; and subjecting the conditioned pulp to a flotation operation whereby a concentrate containing a major portion of the iron oxide and a tailing relatively rich in silica are produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said alkali metal silicate is sodium silicate having an Na 2 O to SiO 2 weight ratio within the range from 1:1 to 1:3.75.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said conditioning reagent further includes an inorganic acid in an amount sufficient to provide up to about 2 pounds of the acid per ton of ore; said polyvalent metal salt contains a cation selected from the group consisting of iron (ferric and ferrous), copper (cupric), aluminum, lead, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, calcium, barium and mixtures thereof; and said anionic collector is seleced from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids containing about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, water-soluble soaps derived from said fatty acids and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said conditioning reagent further includes an inorganic acid in an amount sufficient to provide up to about 2 pounds of the acid per ton of ore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said polyvalent metal salt contains a cation selected from the group consisting of iron (ferric and ferrous), copper (cupric), aluminum, lead, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, calcium, barium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said sodium silicate has a Na 2 O to SiO 2 weight ratio of about 1:3.22 and said polyvalent metal salt is ferric nitrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said anionic collector is selected from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids containing about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, water-soluble soaps derived from said fatty acids and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of adding up to about 0.5 pounds of a frothing agent per ton of ore to the conditioned pulp prior to the flotation opration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 including adding a sufficient amount of a water-soluble alkaline inorganic compound, to the pulp prior to the conditioning step to adjust the pH thereof within the range of about 7 to about 11.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the pH of the conditioned pulp is within the range of about 6 to about 10 prior to the addition of said collector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the solids content of the pulp is within the range of about 5 to about 30% during said conditioning step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the ore in the pulp is a slimy ore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-01 | 1982-07-03 | 1983-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-01 | 1986-07-03 | 1987-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-01 | 1990-07-03 | 1991-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |