Fine Particle Separation by Selective Flocculation

Abstract

Abstract One of the most promising techniques for separating very small particulates is selective flocculation. A number of successful applications for selective flocculation have been demonstrated on laboratory and pilot-plant testing, but with only a few commercial applications. Understanding of the process parameters and potential applications is still at the early stages, and research is underway to develop this process for cooper, coal, phosphate, and tin ores. Thus far, most of the applications of selective flocculation have been in minerals processing, where separation of the valuable minerals from associated waste rocks is the objective. But potential applications for selective flocculation also exist in other areas, such as the removal of heavy metal oxides from steel dusts and other hazardous incineration residues, separation of the impurities from ceramic mineral powders, the removal of opaque minerals from kaolin, and the recovery of values from secondary sources. In this article the methods involved in obtaining selective flocculation, examples of successful applications, recent developments, and future outlook for this technology are discussed.