J.r. Simplot Company

Samuel M Polinsky

Laurence W Bierman

David A Hempel

Roger B Humberger

Larry W Bierman

Ores containing mineral values are separated into two slurries, one having primarily fine particles and gangue and the other having primarily coarse particles. The slurry having fine particles and gangue is adjusted to a solids content of less than about 15 percent, as necessary, and then conditioned by the addition of appropriate promoter reagents, a flotation collector, and a froth modifier. The gangue, containing a disproportionate share of impurities, is floated in a column flotation cell wherein the fine particulates are not mechanically agitated, and removed. The remaining fine particulate underflow, containing a disproportionate share of the minearl values, is then processed directly, or combined with the slurry containing the coarse particulate to yield a flow having reduced impurity content and increased recovery of the mineral values.

Process for beneficiating ores containing fine particles

A process and product for achieving uniform, stabilized working and setting times for phosphate-bonded magnesia cements, wherein a solid phosphate is mixed with an aqueous ammonium phosphate solution and magnesium oxide to form a cement. The solid phosphate may be provided dry or in a slurry, and may be first mixed with the ammonium phosphate solution or the magnesium oxide. Introduction of the solid phosphate into the cement stabilizes the setting time of the cement, which otherwise may vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending upon the characteristics of the ammonium phosphate solution. The ammonium phosphate solution may be supplied as a 10-34-0 composition that is readily available commercially. In one embodiment of the invention, the solid phosphate is provided as an ammonium phosphate mixture of an 18-46-0 composition, having an ammonium phosphate content above the solubility limit of ammonium phosphate in water. In another embodiment, dry phosphate is mixed with the magnesium oxide, before the ammonium phosphate solution is added.

Stabilization of setting times of phosphate-bonded magnesia cements

A process for beneficiating phosphate containing ores, wherein promoter reagents are added to the ore slurry prior to the addition of collectors and depressants for flotation of the carbonate and silica components. The promoters aid in increasing the rejection of the magnesium present during carbonate and silica flotation steps and recovery of phosphates, so that acceptably low magnesium levels for phosphoric acid production can be achieved in a phosphate concentrate in a single rougher stage. Preferred promoters include sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide.

Increased reduction of magnesium content by use of inorganic promoters

A process for the selective recovery of cadmium, molybdenum, zinc, nickel and other metal values from wet process phosphoric acid and other acidic to slightly basic carrier solutions, wherein the metal-bearing solution is contacted with an organophosphene extractant to precipitate the metal values for subsequent separation from the solution. Separation may be effected by mechanical means or by scrubbing with a water-immiscible organic solvent such as kerosene for subsequent recovery of the metal values. The metal specie recovered is determined by the concentration of the organophosphene, which may be selectively adjusted to recover a series of metal values in a sequence of stages.

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Pocatello, ID, United States of America

Samuel M Polinsky