Adapting to pH
A unique aspect of Transfoamer™ frothers is their ability to switch from strong frothers to weaker frothers in response to pH changes that occur between the rougher and cleaner stages. The switch progresses at a very slow rate between pH 9.5 and 10.5. It then increases rapidly past pH 11.5, taking about 25 minutes for 80% conversion. The weak froth allows for draining of gangue particles, resulting in lower circulating loads, more efficient mass flow through the cleaners and stable operations.
Preventing Detachment
Transfoamer™ frothers for mineral flotation are strong at a lower pH, thus preventing detachment and improving recovery of coarse particles. Improved coarse particle recovery is the main hurdle to increasing throughput, which can be enabled by Transfoamer™ technology.
Avoiding Accumulation
Transfoamer™ frothers permanently switch from a strong to a weak frother, preventing strong species from accumulating in process water and returning to the roughers, where recirculating frother can create upset conditions, as is the case with other strong frothers such as glycols. In this way, Transfoamer™ frothers can also eliminate hurdles to recycling 100% of water. Additionally, since no strong frothing species remain after 60 minutes at pH 11.5, TransfoamerTM frothers have the potential to improve thickener overflow clarity and recover stranded metal values.
