US4211644A — Froth flotation process and collector composition

Claim 1

Independent Claim 201 words

In the method for the recovery of copper values by froth flotation from copper ores wherein an alkyl mercaptan having the formula C n H 2n+1 --SH wherein n is an integer of from 12 to 16 is used as a collector, the improvement which includes the step of, prior to addition of the mercaptan collector to the copper ore pulp, thoroughly mixing said mercaptan with a polyglycol selected from the following: (a) a polyglycol having the general formula: (I) R 1 --(OR 2 ) m --OH in which R 1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, alkyl, hydrogen and a saturated heterocyclic group, R 2 is an alkylidene group, m is an integer of at least 2 and said polyglycol has a molecular weight between 50 and 2000; and (b) a polyglycol having the general formula: (II) R 1 --(OR 3 ) n --(OR 4 ) p --OH in which R 1 is as defined for formula I herein, R 3 is --CH 2 CH 2 --, R 4 is ##STR10## and n and p are integers ranging from 2 to 5, and the mixture containing greater than 50 percent by volume of said mercaptan.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 201 words

In the method for the recovery of copper values by froth flotation from copper ores wherein an alkyl mercaptan having the formula C n H 2n+1 --SH wherein n is an integer of from 12 to 16 is used as a collector, the improvement which includes the step of, prior to addition of the mercaptan collector to the copper ore pulp, thoroughly mixing said mercaptan with a polyglycol selected from the following: (a) a polyglycol having the general formula: (I) R 1 --(OR 2 ) m --OH in which R 1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, alkyl, hydrogen and a saturated heterocyclic group, R 2 is an alkylidene group, m is an integer of at least 2 and said polyglycol has a molecular weight between 50 and 2000; and (b) a polyglycol having the general formula: (II) R 1 --(OR 3 ) n --(OR 4 ) p --OH in which R 1 is as defined for formula I herein, R 3 is --CH 2 CH 2 --, R 4 is ##STR10## and n and p are integers ranging from 2 to 5, and the mixture containing greater than 50 percent by volume of said mercaptan.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the copper values recovered are selected from the group consisting of oxides and sulphides.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the mercaptan collector is used together with another collector selected from the group consisting of xanthates, mercaptobenzothiazoles, dithiocarbamates, thionocarbamates and dithiophosphates.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the other collector is a xanthate, the ratio on a weight basis between the mercaptan and the xanthate being between 8:3 and 8:4.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the froth flotation is carried out in a plurality of stages, the mixture of mercaptan and polyglycol being added to the pulp in several of the stages.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the froth flotation is carried out in a plurality of stages, the mixture of the mercaptan and polyglycol being first added to the pulp in a stage downstream of the stage in which the other collector is first added to the pulp.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as claimed in claim 1, in which between 0.01 and 0.5 kg of mercaptan is used for each ton of ore processed.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 66 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a polyethylene polypropylene glycol mono(4-alkylphenyl)ether of the formula II in which R 1 is R 5 --C 6 H 4 -- where R 5 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, --C 6 H 4 -- is a disubstituted benzene and n and p are both from 2 to 5 inclusive.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a polyethylene polypropylene glycol ether of the formula II where R 1 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and n and p are both from 2 to 5 inclusive.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 64 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a water soluble polyethylene glycol mono(4-alkylphenyl)ether of the formula I where R 1 is R 5 --C 6 H 4 --, R 5 being a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and --C 6 H 4 -- being a disbustituted benzene, and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a polyethylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula I where R 1 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a water soluble polyoxyethylene glycol of the formula I where R 1 is hydrogen and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

In the method of claim 1, said polyglycol being a water soluble polyoxypropylene glycol of the formula I where R 1 is hydrogen and R 2 is ##STR11##

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

In the method of claim 1, said mercaptan collector being present in the mixture of mercaptan and polyglycol in an amount ranging from greater than 70 up to about 95% based on the volume of said mixture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 188 words

A collector composition for use in a froth flotation process, said composition comprising a mixture of an alkyl mercaptan having the formula C n H 2n+1 --SH wherein n is an integer of from 12 to 16 and a polyglycol, said polyglycol selected from the group consisting of (a) a polyglycol having the general formula: (I) R 1 --(OR 2 ) m --OH in which R 1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, alkyl, hydrogen and a saturated heterocyclic group, R 2 is an alkylidene group, m is an integer of at least 2 and said polyglycol has a molecular weight between 50 and 2000, and (b) a polyglycol having the general formula: (II) R 1 --(OR 3 ) n --(OR 4 ) p --OH in which R 1 is as defined for formula I herein, R 3 is --CH--CH 2 --, R 4 is ##STR12## n and p are integers of from 2 to 5, said mercaptan being present in the mixture in an amount ranging from greater than 50 up to about 95 percent based on the volume of said mixture.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 188 words

A collector composition for use in a froth flotation process, said composition comprising a mixture of an alkyl mercaptan having the formula C n H 2n+1 --SH wherein n is an integer of from 12 to 16 and a polyglycol, said polyglycol selected from the group consisting of (a) a polyglycol having the general formula: (I) R 1 --(OR 2 ) m --OH in which R 1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, alkyl substituted phenyl, alkyl, hydrogen and a saturated heterocyclic group, R 2 is an alkylidene group, m is an integer of at least 2 and said polyglycol has a molecular weight between 50 and 2000, and (b) a polyglycol having the general formula: (II) R 1 --(OR 3 ) n --(OR 4 ) p --OH in which R 1 is as defined for formula I herein, R 3 is --CH--CH 2 --, R 4 is ##STR12## n and p are integers of from 2 to 5, said mercaptan being present in the mixture in an amount ranging from greater than 50 up to about 95 percent based on the volume of said mixture.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 36 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the mercaptan and the polyglycol are soluble in each other, the composition being in the form of a solution of the components thereof in each other.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, which comprises a mixture of said alkyl mercaptans.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 61 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a polyethylene polypropylene glycol mono(4-alkyl-phenyl)ether of the formula (II) in which: R 1 is R 5 --C 6 H 4 -- in which R 5 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and --C 6 H 4 -- is a disubstituted benzene.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a polyethylene polypropylene glycol ether of the formula (II) in which: R 1 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a water soluble polyethylene glycol mono (4-alkylphenyl) ether of the formula (I) in which: R 1 is R 5 --C 6 H 4 --, R 5 being a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and --C 6 H 4 -- being a disubstituted benzene; and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 48 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a polyethylene glycol alkyl ether of the formula (I) in which: R 1 is a normal or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 37 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a water soluble polyoxyethylene glycol of the formula (I) in which: R 1 is hydrogen; and R 2 is --CH 2 --CH 2 --.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol is a water soluble polyoxypropylene glycol of the formula (I) in which: R 1 is hydrogen; and R 2 is ##STR13##

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the polyglycol has a molecular weight between 200 and 1000.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the mixture of mercaptan and polyglycol comprises from 70% to 95% mercaptan on a volume basis.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

A collector composition as claimed in claim 15, in which the mixture of mercaptan and polyglycol comprises from 80% to 90% mercaptan on a volume basis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-07-08	1984-01-07	1984-07-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-07-08	1988-01-07	1988-07-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-07-08	1992-01-07	1992-07-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Froth flotation process and collector composition

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