The present disclosure relates to flotation oils, processes for making such flotation oils, and uses thereof for example in the froth flotation of ores such as sylvinite ores to recover potassium chloride.

The present disclosure relates to flotation oils, processes for making such flotation oils, and uses thereof for example in the froth flotation of ores such as sylvinite ores to recover potassium chloride.

The present invention pertains to a composition comprising at least one compound of formula (I) and to the use of said composition for recovering value minerals from ore and other feedstocks by flotation.

The flotation reagents from acidic olive oil are made by transesterification of acidic olive oil. Acidic olive oil is olive oil having an acid value high enough to render it unsuitable for consumption, typically greater than 3.3% and/or between 3.3-7%. Transesterification of the olive oil with methanol converts fatty acids in the olive oil to an ester fraction and a glycerol fraction. The ester fraction may be sulfonated and used as the collector in a reverse flotation process, selectively removing the carbonate gangue from phosphate-carbonate rock in the froth, leaving phosphates in the sink. The glycerol fraction may be used without modification as the collector in the reverse flotation process. Both fractions are highly selective for carbonates, substantially reducing loss of phosphates in the froth.

A method of processing thin stillage in an ethanol refining operation is provided. The method comprises treating thin stillage upstream of a concentration or evaporation step with an inverse emulsion comprising at least one anionic flocculant and an emulsifying agent selected from a sorbitan ester of a fatty acid, an ethoxylated sorbitan ester of a fatty acid, and combinations thereof, thereby forming treated thin stillage; clarifying the treated thin stillage via at least one of dissolved air flotation and induced air flotation, thereby forming clarified thin stillage and a float layer comprising oil and solids; separating the oil from the solids of the float layer; and recovering the oil.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for effectively separating carbonate gangue from bastnaesite without sacrificing significant REO grade or recovery. In some embodiments, centrifugal concentrators may beneficiate Ultra-Fine (UF) bastnaesite and calcite bearing flotation concentrates. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems can achieve initial gravity REO recoveries exceeding 90% while rejecting on the order of 25% to 35% of the total calcium from an assortment of rougher and cleaner flotation concentrates. Addition of stages of cleaner UF Falcon gravity separation may be operated in an open circuit configuration, from an original fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to upgrade up to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems may comprise UF gravity concentration that may provide for recovery of rare earth oxides at levels of greater than 70%, 80% and 90%, while also rejecting more than 15%, 20%, 25%, 30, or 35% of the total calcium. Also described are benefication of fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods, compounds, and systems may be used to complement existing or modified flotation systems.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for effectively separating carbonate gangue from bastnaesite without sacrificing significant REO grade or recovery. In some embodiments, centrifugal concentrators may beneficiate Ultra-Fine (UF) bastnaesite and calcite bearing flotation concentrates. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems can achieve initial gravity REO recoveries exceeding 90% while rejecting on the order of 25% to 35% of the total calcium from an assortment of rougher and cleaner flotation concentrates. Addition of stages of cleaner UF Falcon gravity separation may be operated in an open circuit configuration, from an original fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to upgrade up to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. The disclosed methods, devices, and systems may comprise UF gravity concentration that may provide for recovery of rare earth oxides at levels of greater than 70%, 80% and 90%, while also rejecting more than 15%, 20%, 25%, 30, or 35% of the total calcium. Also described are benefication of fine feed of 35 microns containing 50.5% REO and 5.5% Ca, to approximately 59% REO and 2.0% calcium. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods, compounds, and systems may be used to complement existing or modified flotation systems.

A process for separating a solid having two or more components, at least one of which is lyophobic and at least one of which is lyophilic. The process comprises, in a single step, comminuting a mixture of the solid in a first liquid to which one of the components is lyophilic and to which the other component is lyophobic and in a second liquid which is immiscible with the first liquid and which will wet the lyophobic component to form agglomerates or floes of the lyophobic component and the second liquid in a mill having positive transport capability such that the mill causes the mixture to be transported therethrough. The second liquid comprises a bio-oil, bio-diesel or combination thereof. The agglomerates are then separated from the mixture. This process may be used for beneficiating a coal containing ash.

A process for separating a solid having two or more components, at least one of which is lyophobic and at least one of which is lyophilic. The process comprises, in a single step, comminuting a mixture of the solid in a first liquid to which one of the components is lyophilic and to which the other component is lyophobic and in a second liquid which is immiscible with the first liquid and which will wet the lyophobic component to form agglomerates or floes of the lyophobic component and the second liquid in a mill having positive transport capability such that the mill causes the mixture to be transported therethrough. The second liquid comprises a bio-oil, bio-diesel or combination thereof. The agglomerates are then separated from the mixture. This process may be used for beneficiating a coal containing ash.

The present disclosure relates to flotation oils, processes for making such flotation oils, and uses thereof for example in the froth flotation of ores such as sylvinite ores to recover potassium chloride.