Process and apparatus for adsorptive bubble separation

Abstract

Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. When a gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced into a separation vessel, a baffle directs the rising bubbles toward the perimeter of the apparatus. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a froth collection launder. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An adsorptive bubble separation process of the type involving froth flotation wherein the floating froth flows into a collection launder, wherein the improvement comprises:
 directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of a flotation chamber with one or more baffles; and   forcing the floating froth to flow on the liquid surface to a region of reduced surface area before overflowing into the collection launder.   
     
     
         16 . An adsorptive bubble separation process of the type involving froth flotation wherein the floating froth flows into a collection launder, wherein the improvement comprises:
 directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of a flotation chamber with one or more baffles; and   utilizing a vacuum to pull and/or collapse froth through the collection launder.   
     
     
         17 . A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion by adsorptive bubble separation, the method comprising:
 introducing the liquid-particle dispersion into a vessel at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein;   introducing a gas into the vessel at a point below the introduction point of the liquid-particle dispersion;   forming bubbles comprising a gas-particle agglomerate;   directing the bubbles to the surface of the liquid with one or more baffles so as to form a floating froth, wherein the froth is enriched in particles and wherein the one or more baffles direct the rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel;   directing the froth towards a froth collection launder in a region of lower surface area than the region where it formed; and   collecting the froth in the froth collection launder.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the froth collection launder is located substantially in the center of the vessel. 
     
     
         19 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A froth flotation device of the type wherein froth floating in a vessel flows into a collection launder for collection, the improvement comprising:
 incorporating one or more baffles in the vessel to direct rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel; and   incorporating into the froth flotation device a vacuum generating device to pull and/or collapse froth through the collection launder.   
     
     
         22 . The froth flotation device of  claim 21 , wherein vacuum is generated by a pump, compressor, aspirator, venturi, eductor, and/or blower used to provide gas introduced into the vessel for preparation of bubbles for froth. 
     
     
         23 . A froth flotation device of the type wherein froth floating in a vessel flows into a collection launder for collection, the improvement comprising:
 one or more baffles in the vessel for directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel; and   a collection launder centrally located within the vessel.