SYNTHETIC BEADS/BUBBLES FUNCTIONALIZED WITH MOLECULES FOR ATTRACTING AND ATTACHING TO MINERAL PARTICLES OF INTEREST

摘要

A synthetic bead for use in mineral separation is described. The syntheticbead has a surface made of a synthetic material such as polymer and thesyntheticmaterial is functionalized with molecules having a functional group forattractingmineral particles to the surface in a separation process. The synthetic beadscan beplaced in flotation cell containing a mixture of water, valuable material andunwantedmaterial or in a pipeline where the mixture is transported from one locationtoanother. The enriched synthetic beads carrying the mineral particles areseparatedfrom the unwanted materials in the mixture. The mineral particles are thenreleasedfrom the synthetic beads by means of low pH treatment, ultrasonic agitation,thermalor electromagnetic treatment.