RECOVERY MEDIA FOR MINERAL PROCESSING, USING OPEN CELL OR RETICULATED FOAM HAVING 3-DIMENSIONAL FUNCTIONALIZED OPEN-NETWORK STRUCTURE FOR SELECTIVE SEPARATION OF MINERAL PARTICLES IN AN AQUEOUS SYSTEM

摘要

An engineered collection medium for use in mineral separation is described. The engineered collection medium has a solid phase body configured with a three-dimensional open-cell structure like foam or sponge to provide collection surfaces. The surfaces are functionalized with a hydrophobic chemical having molecules with a functional group for attaching mineral particles to the collection surfaces. The engineered collection medium can be a foam block, a filter or conveyor belt to be placed in a slurry to collect mineral particles in the slurry. The engineered collection medium carrying the mineral particles is provided to a release apparatus where the mineral particles can be released by using mechanical agitation, sonic agitation and so forth.