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CA-3120449-C - BIN LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM

CA3120449CCA 3120449 CCA3120449 CCA 3120449CCA-3120449-C

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of chemical compounds, compositions and processes. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions having a high-loading capacity in an aqueous medium and to compositions, processes and uses thereof as silica coagulants in hydrometallurgical process streams.

Inventors

  • RANDALL SCHWARTZENTRUBER

Assignees

  • BINSENTRY INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20190731
Priority Date
20181123

Claims (16)

  1. Claims: 1. A silica agglomeration composition comprising: (a) a silica coagulant comprising a reaction product of glycerine and alkylene oxide, wherein the silica coagulant has a molecular weight above 7,000, and (b) water, wherein the silica agglomeration composition compnses the silica coagulant dissolved in the water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water of about 54% or higher.
  2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein (a) the silica coagulant is a compound of formula (I): Ri R2 R3 I I I H,C-CH-CH, - - wherein each ofR1, R2 and R3 is independently -O(AO)nH, wherein each AO group is, independently, an alkyleneoxy group selected from ethyleneoxy ("EO"), propyleneoxy ("PO"), butyleneoxy ("BO"), and combinations thereof, wherein each n is independently 52 to 150.
  3. 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein each (AO)n is selected from a block EO/PO mixture, a block EO/BO mixture, a block PO/BO mixture, a block EO/PO/BO mixture, a random EO/PO mixture, a random EO/BO mixture, a random PO/BO mixture, a random EO/PO/BO mixture, and combinations thereof.
  4. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein (a) the silica coagulant is a compound of formula (I): CA 03145541 2021-12-30 WO 2021/035282 PCT I AU2020/000092 Ri R2 R3 I I I H2C-CH-CH2 wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently -O(AO)n(EO)pH, wherein each AO group is, independently, an alkyleneoxy group selected from ethyleneoxy ("EO"), propyleneoxy ("PO"), butyleneoxy ("BO"), and combinations thereof, wherein each p is independently 1 to 150 and n + p is 52 to 150.
  5. 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein (AO)n is a random EO/PO mixture with a ratio ofEO:PO of3:1.
  6. 6. The composition of claim 2, wherein each n is independently 60 to 80.
  7. 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica coagulant has a molecular weight from about 8,000 to about 12,000.
  8. 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica coagulant has a molecular weight from about 8,000 to about 11,000.
  9. 9. The composition of claim I, wherein the silica coagulant is dissolved in the water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water of about 57% or higher.
  10. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica coagulant is dissolved in the water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water of about 60% or higher.
  11. 11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the silica coagulant is dissolved in the water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water at a range of from about 54% to about 70%.
  12. 12. A method for agglomerating silica particles in an aqueous mineral process stream comprising the steps of: providing a silica coagulant of formula (I): Ri R2 R3 I I I H.,C-CH-CH., - - CA 03145541 2021-12-30 WO 2021/035282 PCT I AU2020/000092 wherein each ofR1, R2 and R3 is independently -O(AO)nH, wherein each AO group is, independently, an alkyleneoxy group selected from ethyleneoxy ("EO"), propyleneoxy ("PO"), butyleneoxy ("BO"), and combinations thereof: wherein each n is independently 52 to 150, wherein the silica coagulant has a molecular weight above 7,000, wherein the silica coagulant is soluble in water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water of about 54% or higher, contacting the silica coagulant and the silica particles in the aqueous mineral process stream to form agglomerated silica particles.
  13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising contacting at least one flocculant agent to the agglomerated silica particles.
  14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one flocculant agent is selected from the group consisting of: a particulate material, a polymeric flocculant, and combinations thereof.
  15. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of removing the agglomerated silica particles from the aqueous mineral process stream.
  16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the removing the agglomerated silica particles is selected from the group consisting of: filtering, settling, flocculating, and combinations thereof.

Description

TITLE Agents for use in Hydrometallurgical Process Streams FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The present disclosure relates to the field of chemical compounds, compositions and processes. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to compositions having a high-loading capacity in an aqueous medium and to compositions, processes and uses thereof as silica coagulants in hydrometallurgical process streams. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [002] The presence of silica in hydrometallurgical process streams 1s a significant problem in the hydrometallurgical processing industry. Natural silica, as found in ores and mineral concentrates, has a low aqueous solubility. However, when these ores or mineral concentrates are digested in strong acids or alkalis at elevated or ambient temperatures, large amounts of silicic acid or other soluble silica species are released. The silicic acid or other soluble silica species formed can then polymerise in solution to form colloidal silica. If these contaminants are not removed, they can later cause difficulties in hydrometallurgical processes. For example, large quantities of silica, which are extracted in acid leaching of ores, form colloidal particles which, although not visible, may cause problems downstream by forming deposits on equipment, and posing difficulties in solidliquid separations, such as thickening, clarifying and filtration. They can also interfere with solvent extraction processes by forming "Pickering emulsions", stable CRUD and lengthening phase disengagement times. Colloidal silica is also known to interfere with Ion Exchange processes. Such particles are generally less than 0.5 microns in diameter. [003] Current methods to remove silica can include the use of tlocculants, however flocculants alone can be ineffective on colloidal silica removal. Filters can also be used. However, given the fine particle size of the silica particles, these could pass through filters. Although membrane filters of appropriate fineness may be used, use CA 03145541 2021-12-30 WO 2021/035282 PCT I AU2020/000092 of such filters has the disadvantage of significantly increasing processing times and expense. f004] Linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules can be used for coagulation and agglomeration of colloidal silica particles in hydrometallurgical process streams and may negate the deleterious effect of colloidal silica on solvent extraction processes. [005] High molecular weight linear PEG molecules, having a molecular weight of about 1 million, have been used with some success in removing silica by coagulation. However, such high molecular weight polyethylene glycols are not readily available and are expensive. l006J Lower molecular weight linear polyethylene glycols with a molecular weight of about 7,000 to 102,000 have also been used in removing silica by coagulation. Such polyethylene glycols are commercially available and are more affordable than the high molecular weight linear polyethylene glycols mentioned above. Lower molecular weight linear polyethylene glycols for use in coagulation of silica particles in aqueous mineral process streams are conveniently stored and/or transported at up to 50% to 52% w/w in water. [007] There is a need for alternative compounds, compositions and methods for coagulating silica particles in hydrometallurgical process streams. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION f008] In an embodiment, a silica agglomeration composition is disclosed having a silica coagulant and water. The silica coagulant is dissolved in the water at a weight ratio of silica coagulant to water of about 54% or higher. f009] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the silica coagulant is a reaction product of glycerine and alkylene oxide. fOlO] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the silica coagulant is of formula (I): CA 03145541 2021-12-30 WO 2021/035282 PCT I AU2020/000092 Ri R2 R3 I I I H2C-CH-CH2 [011] In formula (I), each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently -O(AO)nH. Each AO group is, independently, an alkyleneoxy group that includes ethyleneoxy ("EO"), propyleneoxy ("PO"), butyleneoxy ("BO"), and combinations thereof. Each n is independently 52 to 150. The silica coagulant has a molecular weight of above 7,000. In some embodiments, the silica coagulant has a molecular weight of about 7,000 to 20,000. [012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, each (AO)n of formula (I) may be a block EO/PO mixture, a block EO/BO mixture, a block PO/BO mixture, a block EO/PO/BO mixture, a random EO/PO mixture, a random EO/BO mixture, a random PO/BO mixture, a random EO/PO/BO mixture, and combinations thereof. l013J According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of R1, R2 and R3 of formula (I) is independently -O(AO)n(EO)pH, having each p independently being 1 to 150 and n + p being 52 to 150. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the (AO)n of -O(AO)n(EO)pH is a random EO/PO mixture with a ratio of EO:PO of 3: I. [014] Acco