Column froth flotation
US4592834A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB03D1/24
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The froth flotation device includes a flotation column partially filled with a packing which defines a large number of small flow passages extending in a circuitous pattern between the upper and lower portions of the column. A conditioned aqueous pulp of a mineral ore, such as iron ore, is introduced into the midzone of the column. A pressurized inert gas, such as air, is introduced into the bottom of the column and is forced upwardly through the flow passages in the packing. As the air flows upwardly through these flow passages, it is broken into fine bubbles which intimately contact the floatable particles (e.g., iron oxide) in the aqueous pulp and forms a froth concentrate or float fraction which overflows from the top of the column. Wash water is introduced into the top of the column and flows through the flow passages in the packing countercurrently to the float fraction to scrub entrained non-floatable particles (e.g., gangue) from the froth concentrate. A tailing fraction containing the non-floatable particles is withdrawn from the bottom of the column.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.