Apparatus features a signal processor or signal processing module configured to: receive signaling containing information about a central air-core of an overflow pipe of a hydrocyclone where fluid flow is concentrated in an outer annular region of the overflow pipe that is against an inner wall of the overflow pipe during a normal operation of the hydrocyclone; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a collapse of the central air-core of the overflow pipe of the hydrocyclone during an abnormal operation of the hydrocyclone, based upon the signaling received. The signaling contains information about a fluid flow rate of the fluid flow by detecting a change in the magnitude of a force and/or a moment on the probe.

An apparatus (20) for monitoring flotation performance apparatus comprises an arm (21) having a paddle (22) attached at one end. The apparatus (20) forms a sensor to monitor real-time flotation performance by measuring the drag exerted by the overflowing froth onto a cantilever beam arm. The strain exerted on the beam or arm can be directly correlated to the efficiency of the froth flotation process. Methods for monitoring and controlling a froth flotation process and a method to determine ash content in coal undergoing flotation are also described

A flotation line for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry, including at least three flotation units arranged in fluid connection with each other for allowing gravity-driven slurry flow between flotation units, and a feed inlet for supplying slurry into a first flotation unit; wherein at least three flotation units are configured to be uniplanar, each flotation unit includes at least one flotation cell; and wherein the launder lip height of each uniplanar flotation unit is lower than the launder lip height of the preceding uniplanar flotation unit in the direction of the slurry flow, so that an angle of sloping between a first uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 150 m.sup.3, and a last uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 40 m.sup.3, is formed; and the angle is 1.5 to 10 degrees relative to horizontal.

A flotation line for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry, including at least three flotation units arranged in fluid connection with each other for allowing gravity-driven slurry flow between flotation units, and a feed inlet for supplying slurry into a first flotation unit; wherein at least three flotation units are configured to be uniplanar, each flotation unit includes at least one flotation cell; and wherein the launder lip height of each uniplanar flotation unit is lower than the launder lip height of the preceding uniplanar flotation unit in the direction of the slurry flow, so that an angle of sloping between a first uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 150 m.sup.3, and a last uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 40 m.sup.3, is formed; and the angle is 1.5 to 10 degrees relative to horizontal.

A mineral processing method capable of efficiently separating a copper mineral from a molybdenum mineral is provided. The mineral processing method includes: a conditioning step of adding sulfite as a surface treatment agent to a mineral slurry containing a copper mineral and a molybdenum mineral; and a flotation step of performing flotation using the mineral slurry after the conditioning step. The hydrophilicity of the copper mineral can be selectively enhanced by sulfite, so as to be able to produce a difference in hydrophilicity between the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral. Therefore, the molybdenum mineral can be selectively caused to float, and the copper mineral and the molybdenum mineral can be efficiently separated from each other.

A granular litter cleaning apparatus comprises a separation system having a separation tank adapted to receive a mixture of granules and plastic litter, and water therein, the separation tank having a top opening, and a closeable bottom outlet, and at least one water inlet for feeding water to the separation tank. A collect subsystem is for conveying a mixture of granules and plastic litter to the separation tank. A pump system is in fluid communication with the water inlet. The pump system is operated to raise a level of water in the separation tank to skim water with plastic litter out through the top opening of the separation tank. The closeable bottom outlet is openable to empty the separation tank from granules decanted in a bottom of the separation tank. A process for separating plastic litter from granules is also provided.

An apparatus for removing mineral particles from loaded engineered collection media includes one or more solvents with sufficiently low surface tension. The engineered collection media are made of a synthetic material and have a surface coated with a hydrophobic material to provide a chemical bond between the mineral particles and the surface. The solvents together with a releasing mechanism are arranged to disrupt the chemical bond. Preferably, a surfactant or a nonionic surfactant is also added to the solvents.

An apparatus for removing mineral particles from loaded engineered collection media includes one or more solvents with sufficiently low surface tension. The engineered collection media are made of a synthetic material and have a surface coated with a hydrophobic material to provide a chemical bond between the mineral particles and the surface. The solvents together with a releasing mechanism are arranged to disrupt the chemical bond. Preferably, a surfactant or a nonionic surfactant is also added to the solvents.

Apparatus uses engineered collection media to recover mineral particles in a mineral extraction process, e.g., for processing a tailings stream at the end of a flotation separation process. The engineered collection media are added to slurry/tailings containing the mineral particles. The engineered collection media have collection surfaces coated with a chemical selected for attracting the mineral particles to the collection surfaces so the engineered collection media becomes mineral laden media in the slurry/tailings in a loading stage. The apparatus include three stages: removing unwanted material from mineral laden media; using a stripping agent to strip the mineral particles from the mineral laden media; and separating the engineered collection media from the mineral particles and the stripping agent. The stripping agent is reused for stripping, and the engineered collection media are returned to the loading stage. The engineered collection media can have a smooth or foam-like surface.

Method of recycling a textile material which comprises cellulose for manufacturing regenerated cellulosic molded bodies, wherein in the method the textile material is comminuted, at least a part of non-fiber-constituents of the comminuted textile material is separated from fiber-constituents of the comminuted textile material, at least a part of non-cellulosic fibers of the fiber-constituents is mechanically separated from cellulosic fibers of the fiber-constituents, at least a further part of the non-cellulosic fibers is chemically separated from the cellulosic fibers, and the molded bodies are generated based on the cellulosic fibers after mechanically separating and chemically separating.