Patent US4735709A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4735709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for concentration of minerals by froth flotation using dual aeration
Assignee: Deister Concentrator Co Inc
•
Filing: 1987-01-21
•
Granted: 1988-04-05
•
Expires: 2007-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A froth flotation system for separating a mineral fraction from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles. The aqueous pulp is supplied to a pulp-filled vessel (or column) wherein a froth is formed on the surface of the pulp and collected in a launder. Gas bubbles are introduced into the pulp in the vessel by two different means to generate the froth. In accordance with one means, water is aspirated into a stream of pressurized gas (air) to form a stream of aerated water which is injected into the lower portion of the pulp-filled vessel. In accordance, the other means, a second stream of pressurized gas (air), is sparged through a porous wall of one or more micro-diffusers located within the vessel. The dual means for generating bubbles produces a significantly higher level of mineral separation than can be achieved from either means separately.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Zipperian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:40
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03D; B03D1/00; B03D1/14; B03D1/1431; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/231; B01F23/23105; B01F23/2312; B01F23/23123; B03D1/1443; B03D1/1456; B03D1/1468; B03D1/1493; B03D1/24; B03D1/245; B01F23/23126; B01F23/231265; B01F23/237; B01F23/2373
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for separation of minerals by froth flotation from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles, wherein the aqueous pulp is supplied to an enclosed vessel containing a liquid medium having an upper surface on which a froth containing floated mineral particles is formed comprising the steps of: generating a stream of pressurized gas; aspirating a quantity of water into the stream of pressurized gas; turbulently mixing the resulting stream of gas and water to form a stream of aerated water; introducing the stream of aerated water into the vessel beneath the surface of the liquid medium; simultaneously generating a second stream of pressurized gas; and sparging the gas of the second stream into the vessel beneath the surface of the liquid medium through a porous wall of a micro-diffusing means located within said vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for separation of minerals by froth flotation from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles, wherein the aqueous pulp is supplied to an enclosed vessel containing a liquid medium having an upper surface on which a froth containing floated mineral particles is formed comprising the steps of: generating a stream of pressurized gas; aspirating a quantity of water into the stream of pressurized gas; turbulently mixing the resulting stream of gas and water to form a stream of aerated water; introducing the stream of aerated water into the vessel beneath the surface of the liquid medium; simultaneously generating a second stream of pressurized gas; and sparging the gas of the second stream into the vessel beneath the surface of the liquid medium through a porous wall of a micro-diffusing means located within said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the quantity of gas introduced into said vessel by sparging is from about 40% to about 60% of the total quantity of gas introduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the quantity of gas introduced into said vessel by sparging is about 50% of the total quantity of gas introduced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said vessel is separated vertically into a flotation compartment at the upper end with a perforated floor adapted to collect gangue particles from the aqueous pulp, and a distribution compartment below said perforated floor and adapted to receive a continuous supply of said aerated water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said stream of aerated water is introduced into said distribution compartment and said second stream of pressurized gas is sparged into said flotation compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the micro-diffusing means comprises at least one closed tubular element located in said vessel and communicating with said second stream of pressurized gas, said element having a porous cylindrical wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said porous cylindrical wall has pores with a size of about 50 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said closed tubular sparging element is formed of sintered stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said closed tubular sparging element is formed of porous plastic material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for separation of minerals by froth flotation from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles, wherein the aqueous pulp is supplied to an enclosed vessel containing a liquid medium having an upper surface on which a froth containing floated mineral particles is formed, the froth being collected in a launder, and which is separated vertically into a flotation compartment with a perforated floor adapted to collect and discharge gangue particles from the aqueous pulp, and a distribution compartment below the perforated floor and adapted to receive a continuous supply of aerated water, comprising the steps of: generating a stream of pressurized gas; aspirating a quantity of water into the stream of pressurized gas; turbulently mixing the resulting stream of gas and water to form a stream of aerated water; introducing the stream of aerated water into the distribution compartment; simultaneously generating a second stream of pressurized gas; and sparging the gas of the second stream into the flotation compartment through a porous wall of a microdiffusing means located within the flotation compartment.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for separation of minerals by froth flotation from an aqueous pulp containing a mixture of mineral and gangue particles, wherein the aqueous pulp is supplied to an enclosed vessel containing a liquid medium having an upper surface on which a froth containing floated mineral particles is formed, the froth being collected in a launder, and which is separated vertically into a flotation compartment with a perforated floor adapted to collect and discharge gangue particles from the aqueous pulp, and a distribution compartment below the perforated floor and adapted to receive a continuous supply of aerated water, comprising the steps of: generating a stream of pressurized gas; aspirating a quantity of water into the stream of pressurized gas; turbulently mixing the resulting stream of gas and water to form a stream of aerated water; introducing the stream of aerated water into the distribution compartment; simultaneously generating a second stream of pressurized gas; and sparging the gas of the second stream into the flotation compartment through a porous wall of a microdiffusing means located within the flotation compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2753045A
Cited
US2758714A
Cited
US2883169A
Cited
US3298519A
Cited
US3371779A
Cited
US4287054A
Cited
US4431531A
Cited
US4394258A
Cited
US4450072A
Cited
US4617113A
Cited
US4639313A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-10-05 | 1992-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-05 | 1995-10-05 | 1996-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-05 | 1999-10-05 | 2000-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |