# US 2019/0169709 A1 · Process for the depression of iron sulphides and other disposable elements in the concentration of mineral by flotation and electrochemical reactor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0169709 A1 - Document ID: US20190169709A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/323,029 - Filed: 2017-08-02 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-03 - Assignees: Inforock S.L. - Applicants: Inforock S.L. - Inventors: Eva Maria LAÍN RODRÍGUEZ - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190169709A1 ## CPC - C22B 1/11: Removing sulfur, phosphorus or arsenic other than by roasting - B03D 1/02: Froth-flotation processes - B03D 1/06: differential - B03D 1/085: {of the feed, e.g. conditioning, de-sliming} - B03D 1/1437: {using electroflotation (waste water treatment using electroflotation C02F1/465)} - C22B 3/22: by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means {, or by thermal decomposition} (treatment or purification of solutions by liquid-liquid extraction C22B3/26) - C25C 1/12: of copper - C25C 1/16: of zinc, cadmium or mercury - C25C 1/18: of lead - B03D 2201/06: Depressants - B03D 2203/02: Ores - C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS - B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D) - C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR ## Abstract A process for the depression of iron sulphides and other disposable elements in the mineral concentration by flotation and electrochemical reactor. The proposed invention represents a method based on the action of electrodes on the mineral, which can replace, compliment or minimise the consumption of chemical reagents, as well as improving the effect thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process for the depression of iron sulphides and other disposable elements in the flotation of mineral particles in liquid, which after the stages of extraction, crushing, grinding and suspension of the mineral in liquid, is characterised in that at least one sulphide is electrochemically depressed through the application of at least one electric potential. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one iron sulphide or another disposable element is electrochemically depressed through the direct action of at least one electrode, with an at least partial direct contact between the electrode and the mineral particles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one iron sulphide or another disposable element is electrochemically depressed through the indirect action of at least one electrode, wherein at least one potential of the electrode is transferred to the mineral particles by means of the at least one mediator, typically dissolved in the liquid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one potential is lower than the electric potential required to oxidise and/or reduce water. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one potential of at least one electrode is modulated without altering the pH of the liquid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The process, according to claim 5, characterised in that the pH is altered solely at a localised level but not at a macro/general level. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the pH is altered at a macro/general level. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the cathode electrodeposits and/or precipitates and/or eliminates metals or other compounds from the solution, optionally selectively, compartmentally and/or sequentially. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that other mineral species are floated or depressed in a differential manner, optionally through the use of chemical reagents and/or electrodes, simultaneously, in parallel, in series, sequentially and/or in different treatment lines, for example to obtain different concentrates of copper and zinc. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the mineral is subjected to a pre-treatment or additional treatment, for example bio treatments, passivation or oxidation by aeration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid is fresh water, mains water, recirculated process water, cleaned/treated process water and/or distilled water or water that is treated in any way, which optionally contains agents or to which agents that are active at an electrochemical and/or pH level are added. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The process, according to claim 1, characterised in that it is (a) galvanic, or (b) electrolytic. ### Claim 13 An electrochemical reactor for the treatment of mineral pulp, with the aim to of depressing iron sulphides and other disposable elements in the flotation of mineral particles in liquid, characterised in that it comprises: At least one counter electrode (1), At least one working electrode (2), At least one electric source (3) and At least one connection between these three elements (4). ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The reactor, according to claim 13, characterised in that at least one of the electrodes is at least partially coated or inside a compartment delimited to isolate said electrode from the mineral pulp. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The reactor, according to claim 14, characterised in that said electrode is delimited by ion exchange membrane(s), for example anionic or cationic exchange membrane(s), dialysis membrane(s), liquid membrane(s), organic phase(s), grate(s), ionic bridge(s), filter(s), sponge(s), (porous) separator(s) for batteries or of any type, or a combination of these, arranged in any manner, including zero-gap and finite-gap configurations.