Column Flotation Technology

1.

Title of Product/Design/Equipment

Column Flotation Technology

2.

IPR Status

Patent/Abroad IPR Details

Patent filed

3.

Application/Uses

Beneficiation

4.

Salient Technical Features including Competing Features

The column flotation technology is a new mineral beneficiation method developed on strong scientific principles for processing of fine low grade ores and minerals. The merits of the technology includes improved metallurgical performance in terms of grade and recovery, effective cleaning of froths, small foot print, low capital investment, less operation and maintenance costs with user friendly controls. Improved metallurgical performance is due to: (i) less entrainment and entrapment, (ii) Independent control of operating variables, (iii) Froth washing provision and (iv) Control over bubble size - effective in fines collection. The Reduced operating & capital costs as a result of: (a) No moving parts & Lower energy consumption, (b) Lower reagent consumption, (c) Substantial reduction in floor area - vertical configuration and (d) One stage of column flotation generally replaces multi stage conventional flotation

5.

Level/Scale of Development

Laboratory - Pilot - Commercial scale

6.

Environmental Considerations

No

7.

Status of Commercialization

The technology is fully commercialized for both, laboratory and industrial columns. The following industrial columns are in operation: M/S Indian Rare Earths Ltd., Chatrapur, Orissa (Sillimanite)

150 tons/day M/S Indian Rare Earths Ltd., Chavara, Kerala (Sillimanite) 150 tons/day M/S Andhra Barites Co. Ltd., Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh (Barites) 700 tons/day M/S W Minerals Ltd., Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh (Sillimanite) 150 tons/day* M/S Oren Hydrocarbons Pvt Ltd., Chennai, Tamilnadu (Barites) 1000 tons/day*

8.

Major Raw Materials to be Utilized

Not applicable

9.

Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required

Programmable controller. Magnetic flow meters and Mass flow controller. Control valve, air spargers, compressor, feed and reagent conditioners

10.

Techno-Economics

A typical column flotation plant (conditioning tank to column discharge) with a capacity of 1000 tpd would cost Rs. 300 lakhs (approx.)

Chemical requirement cost is about Rs.

against product cost of about Rs.

per ton of iron oxide production.

11.

Technology Package

(i) Process and reagent development in collaboration with M/S Somu Organo Chem Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, (ii) Flotation Column design, engineering, erection, commissioning, stabilization and training in collaboration with M/S McNally Bharat Engineering Co. Ltd., Kolkata