Synthetic bubbles or beads having hydrophobic surface
US9327294B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2982
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The synthetic bead has a surface made of or coated with a synthetic material such as a polymer that is naturally hydrophobic or a polymer that is hydrophobically modified. The synthetic bead can be made of glass having a coating or polysiloxane. The synthetic beads can be placed in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, collector molecules, valuable material and unwanted material or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one location to another. The collector chemical can be xanthates. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles are separated from the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are then released from the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation, thermal or electromagnetic treatment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.