Fluid contaminants may be prevalent in many industries, such as the mining industry. Functionalized saccharide polymers comprising two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and having a portion of the monosaccharide units oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one aminocarboxylic acid covalently bound through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening may be utilized in conjunction with fluid remediation processes, such as froth flotation. In non-limiting examples, the functionalized saccharide polymers may also be useful for promoting dust control, particulate coating, clay stabilization, and various subterranean treatment operations. Glycine represents one example of an aminocarboxylic acid that may be covalently bonded through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening.

Fluid contaminants may be prevalent in many industries, such as the mining industry. Functionalized saccharide polymers comprising two or more monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds and having a portion of the monosaccharide units oxidatively opened and functionalized with at least one aminocarboxylic acid covalently bound through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening may be utilized in conjunction with fluid remediation processes, such as froth flotation. In non-limiting examples, the functionalized saccharide polymers may also be useful for promoting dust control, particulate coating, clay stabilization, and various subterranean treatment operations. Glycine represents one example of an aminocarboxylic acid that may be covalently bonded through nitrogen at a site of oxidative opening.

A machine or apparatus featuring a first processor and a second processor. The first processor is configured to receive a mixture of fluid, valuable material and unwanted material and a functionalized polymer coated member configured to attach to the valuable material in an attachment rich environment, and provide an enriched functionalized polymer coated member having the valuable material attached thereto. The second processor is configured to receive a fluid and the enriched functionalized polymer coated member in a release rich environment to release the valuable material, and provide the valuable material released from the enriched functionalized polymer coated member.

A machine or apparatus featuring a first processor and a second processor. The first processor is configured to receive a mixture of fluid, valuable material and unwanted material and a functionalized polymer coated member configured to attach to the valuable material in an attachment rich environment, and provide an enriched functionalized polymer coated member having the valuable material attached thereto. The second processor is configured to receive a fluid and the enriched functionalized polymer coated member in a release rich environment to release the valuable material, and provide the valuable material released from the enriched functionalized polymer coated member.

Metal contaminants may be problematic in a number of industries, particularly in the mining industry. Fines production and dust control may be similarly problematic in many industries, including the mining industry. Reaction products formed from a saccharide polymer and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) under room temperature to heating conditions in the presence of a hydroxide base or a radical initiator may be effective for promoting removal of metal contaminants from clay-containing substances, such as through froth flotation. The reaction products may also be effective for mitigating fines production and providing dust control by forming a coating upon a plurality of particulates.

Metal contaminants may be problematic in a number of industries, particularly in the mining industry. Fines production and dust control may be similarly problematic in many industries, including the mining industry. Reaction products formed from a saccharide polymer and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) under room temperature to heating conditions in the presence of a hydroxide base or a radical initiator may be effective for promoting removal of metal contaminants from clay-containing substances, such as through froth flotation. The reaction products may also be effective for mitigating fines production and providing dust control by forming a coating upon a plurality of particulates.

A cold water saponification method is disclosed. The method is for preferred use in industrial applications such as mining operations wherein saponification of fatty acids is required. Broadly, the method comprises the steps of filling a tank with a solution comprising water, a base and fatty acids, installing a mixer capable of creating a vortex in order to effectively saponify fatty acid particles. The use of a high-shear mixer installed vertically has been proven successful in saponifying fatty acids in cold water.

A cold water saponification method is disclosed. The method is for preferred use in industrial applications such as mining operations wherein saponification of fatty acids is required. Broadly, the method comprises the steps of filling a tank with a solution comprising water, a base and fatty acids, installing a mixer capable of creating a vortex in order to effectively saponify fatty acid particles. The use of a high-shear mixer installed vertically has been proven successful in saponifying fatty acids in cold water.

The invention pertains to a process for separating mixtures of solids based on their densities. The present invention also relates to the use of a separating liquid (L) for separating plastic solids from metal-containing solids based on their densities, wherein the separating liquid (L) has a density d3 such that 1.5<d3<2.0; wherein the solids have a particle size ranging from 0.1 to 100 mm. The separating liquid (L) is preferably a fluorinated fluid.

The invention pertains to a process for separating mixtures of solids based on their densities. The present invention also relates to the use of a separating liquid (L) for separating plastic solids from metal-containing solids based on their densities, wherein the separating liquid (L) has a density d3 such that 1.5<d3<2.0; wherein the solids have a particle size ranging from 0.1 to 100 mm. The separating liquid (L) is preferably a fluorinated fluid.