Methods of Preparing Hemicellulose Compositions
AssigneeKemira Oyj
InventorsXihui Yin, Duane C. Wilson, Stephanie A. Kofsky-Wofford, Marcelo Moreira da Costa
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Abstract
Multi-extraction methods for preparing hemicellulose compositions are provided. Depressant compositions comprising hemicellulose compositions are also provided herein. Also disclosed are processes for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and a depressant composition comprising hemicellulose.
Claims34
A method for preparing a hemicellulose composition or a depressant composition comprising hemicellulose, comprising:
- (a) combining new or undigested plant material comprising hemicellulose, at least one caustic base and, optionally, at least one oxidant to form a first reaction mixture;
- (b) reacting the first reaction mixture for a time sufficient to form a first reaction product containing hemicellulose, wherein the reaction product comprises a liquid portion and solid portion;
- (c) separating at least some of the liquid portion of the first reaction product from the solid portion of the first reaction product to provide a first hemicellulose composition;
- (d) combining at least a portion of the first hemicellulose composition with new or undigested plant material, at least one caustic base and, optionally, at least one oxidant to form a second reaction mixture,
- (e) reacting the second reaction mixture for a time sufficient to form a second reaction product containing hemicellulose, wherein the reaction product comprises a liquid portion and a solid portion;
- and
- (f) separating at least some of the liquid portion of the second reaction product from the solid portion of the second reaction product to provide a second hemicellulose composition or depressant composition comprising hemicellulose.
A hemicellulose composition comprising at least about 20 wt % organic solids including hemicellulose, lignin, fatty acids and proteins, and a solvent, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the hemicellulose in the composition is from about 100 kDa to about 600 kDa.
A process for enriching a desired mineral from an ore comprising the desired mineral and gangue, wherein the process comprises carrying out a flotation process in the presence of one or more collecting agents and one or more depressants, wherein at least one of the one or more depressants comprises a hemicellulose composition comprising at least about 20 wt % organic solids including hemicellulose, lignin, fatty acids and proteins, wherein the weight average molecular weight of the hemicellulose in the depressant composition is from about 100 kDa to about 600 kDa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.