| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R59090/01 |
| Title: |
In-Situ Investigation of Collector Adsorption on Mineral Oxides and Sulphides for Improved Efficiency of Froth Flotation |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hankins, Professor NP |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemical and Environmental Eng |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 November 2001 |
Ends: |
31 October 2004 |
Value (£): |
60,265
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Mining & Minerals Extraction |
Surfaces & Interfaces |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Energy |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Flotation processes are used to separate or concentrate minerals during their production; flotation processes are both energy intensive and highly inefficient. Small improvements in efficiency will thus lead to significant savings in the consumption of resources. The proposed project aims to develop guidelines for optimising the recovery efficiency of minerals at minimum consumption of reagents and energy.During flotation, the surfaces of mineral particles are rendered hydrophobic by the adsorption of collectors (surfactants), and this enables the particles to attach to air bubbles and float. A technique will be developed to allow a direct, in-situ investigation of the collector adsorption on the mineral particles, and this will be closely correlated with zeta-potential measurements and batch flotation studies in a highly integrated manner. Such an approach will allow an elucidation of the mechanisms of adsorption, and a direct application of this understanding will reduce the consumption of both reagents (such as collectors and pH modifiers), and energy (through reduced process time).The work will focus on oxide and sulphide minerals, using oxyhydryl and sulphydryt collectors, respectively; these systems together represent a significant fraction of total processed volumes in the industry.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |