Improved sparge compositions for reverse froth flotation separation and uses thereof, and methods of reverse froth flotation are described. The sparge compositions comprise sulfonated polymeric modifiers which can act as dispersants and depressants, and the compositions are suitably used in the reverse froth flotation of particulate material containing ultrafine particles. For example, the compositions and methods can be used in the separation of phosphate beneficiary from ores comprising phosphates, dolomite, calcite, clay, silica, silicates, carbonates, and mixtures thereof.

A reagent for phosphate flotation, the reagent comprising at least two fatty acids, an alcohol-based surfactant, and chemicals with sulfonate or sulfate groups. The reagent may not comprise fuel oil or diesel. The reagent may increase recovery of phosphate while improving the selectivity, and thus the grade, of the phosphate concentrate.

Improved sparge compositions for reverse froth flotation separation and uses thereof, and improved methods of reverse froth flotation are described. Described are sparge compositions comprising collectors and beneficiating agents, the collectors comprising sulfonated fatty acids and/or salts thereof, and the beneficiating agents comprising a hydroxy fatty acid composition. The sparge compositions are suitably used in the reverse froth flotation to separate phosphate beneficiary from ores comprising phosphate and dolomite, calcite, silicate, and/or other gangues. The disclosed compositions and methods exhibit improved separation of phosphate from such ores.

Provided is a method of beneficiating an ore including contacting an ore with a compound represented by formula (1): ##STR00001##
where the structural variables are defined herein.

Improved sparge compositions for reverse froth flotation separation and uses thereof, and improved methods of reverse froth flotation are described. Described are sparge compositions comprising collectors and beneficiating agents, the collectors comprising sulfonated fatty acids and/or salts thereof, and the beneficiating agents comprising a hydroxy fatty acid composition. The sparge compositions are suitably used in the reverse froth flotation to separate phosphate beneficiary from ores comprising phosphate and dolomite, calcite, silicate, and/or other gangues. The disclosed compositions and methods exhibit improved separation of phosphate from such ores.

The present invention relates to a compound obtainable by reacting an N-acyl neutral amino acid or a salt thereof, or an N-acyl neutral amino acid oligopeptide or a salt thereof with a monohydroxy monocarboxylic acid or a salt thereof. This compound is useful as a collector in a process for froth flotation of non-sulfidic ores, especially phosphate ores. The invention also relates to a method which comprises the steps of a) conditioning a pulped phosphate ore, wherein the phosphate ore comprises a calcium phosphate mineral or a mixture of such minerals, and gangue minerals, with an effective amount of a calcium phosphate mineral collector reagent, which is the above-mentioned compound, and optionally other flotation aids and b) performing a froth flotation process to recover the calcium phosphate mineral(s).

The invention is related to a flotation process using an improved collector to remove alkaline earth metal carbonate impurities from phosphate ores. The flotation feed may be conditioned with the improved carbonate collector at acidic pH, and subjected to a reverse flotation. The cell overflow may be collected as waste in which carbonate minerals dominate, and the cell underflow may be the phosphate concentrate. The collector may be a combination of chemicals, comprising: (1) any kind of fatty acids, either conventional fatty acid, saponified fatty acid, or modified fatty acid; (2) chemicals with sulfonate or sulfate groups, such as dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) or its salt, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium coco sulfate (SCS), etc.; and (3) phosphorous-bearing chemicals, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (SFMP), trisodium phosphate (TSP), Tetrasodiumpyrophosphate (TSPP), etc. With the improved collector, the separation selectivity and phosphate recovery may be significantly improved.

The present invention relates to the use of branched fatty alcohol-based compounds selected from the group of fatty alcohols with 12-16 carbon atoms having a degree of branching of 1-3, and their alkoxylates with a degree of ethoxylation of up to 3, as secondary collectors for the froth flotation of non-sulfidic ores, in combination with a primary collector selected from the group of amphoteric and anionic surface active compounds.

Provided is a method of beneficiating an ore including contacting an ore with a compound represented by formula (1):

##STR00001##

where the structural variables are defined herein.

The present invention relates to the use for ore beneficiation, of at least one derivative of alkoxylated (polyester)amine.

The present invention also relates to the flotation pulp and the tailings comprising said product useful for ore beneficiation.