Mobil Oil Corporation

Stephen W Saunders

Ross A Kremer

Anil K Agrawal

George J Weckesser

Phosphatic clay dispersions are modified by dispersing the phosphate matrix containing the clay in a dilute solution of selected acids prior to screening, sizing and other beneficiation operations.

Ore beneficiation process

There are disclosed method and compositions for reducing the viscosity of phosphate matrix slurries and improving consolidation characteristics of slimes resulting from the beneficiation of the slurries. An unexpectedly greater degree of viscosity reduction and clay consolidation characteristics improvement is obtained by adding the compositions to the water utilized to slurry the phosphate matrix prior to the information of the slurries. The compositions include water-soluble compounds, such as organic acids, mineral acids, monovalent inorganic salts and polyvalent inorganic salts.

Treatment of water used in preparing phosphate matrix slurries

There is disclosed a method of producing water-based phosphate matrix slurries wherein the as-mined phosphate matrix is dried prior to the formation of the slurry. Drying the matrix decreases the viscosity of the slurry and improves the clay consolidation characteristics of the by-product slimes produced during the phosphate slurry beneficiation process steps.

Treatment of phosphate ore used in preparing phosphate matrix slurries

By dispersing a clay-containing mineral matrix in an aqueous solution of EDTA before washing or classifying the ore, one obtains a system in which the subsequently formed clays consolidate at an unexpectedly high rate and to a higher final density.

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Plainsboro, NJ, United States of America

Stephen W Saunders