Froth flotation separation and analysis
AssigneeHeraeus Quartz UK Limited
InventorMichael Schindler
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Abstract
A method of separating heavy mineral particles, such as zircon, monazites, xenotime etc., from a sample of quartz crystal powder, comprises the steps of: a. conditioning the quartz powder suspected of containing heavy mineral particles as an aqueous pulp using a froth-flotation agent; b. subjecting the conditioned pulp to froth flotation to obtain a tailing; c. combining the tailing with an aqueous solution having a density greater than that of quartz and less than that of a heavy mineral which it is desired to separate; and d. centrifuging the combination. The separated heavy mineral crystals can then be characterized using a micro-analysis technique.
Claims19
A method of separating heavy mineral particles from a sample of quartz crystal powder, comprising the steps of:
- a. conditioning the quartz powder suspected of containing heavy mineral particles as an aqueous pulp using a froth-flotation agent;
- b. subjecting the conditioned pulp to froth flotation to obtain a tailing;
- c. combining the tailing with an aqueous solution having a density greater than that of quartz and less than that of a heavy mineral which it is desired to separate;
- and
- d. centrifuging the combination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.