Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a ....Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a number of mineral companies. The combination of fundamental and applied research makes this project unique in the study of polymers at mineral interfaces, and will enable us to solve real processing problems through a rational choice of polymers for a given application.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0345760
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe ....Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe (Asylum Research) instrument will allow precise and flexible force measurements on the nano-metre scale. The proposed multi-disciplinary facility will advance research in the areas of engineering, chemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology.
Read moreRead less
Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral f ....Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral from mineral concentrates, as well as a reduction in concentrate grade and quality. An expected outcome of this project will be a series of new tools and methodologies to optimize froth zone performance, which will have industry wide application.Read moreRead less
Polymers in the Depression, Aggregation and Dispersion of Particles in the Mineral Industry. The aim of this project is to use a generic approach to the selection of the best-suited polymer for specific applications such as in the depression, aggregation and dispersion of particles in the mineral industry. A "tool box" of particular tests will be developed based on key chemical structure-solid surface activity relationships between the polymer and the host solid surface in each application consi ....Polymers in the Depression, Aggregation and Dispersion of Particles in the Mineral Industry. The aim of this project is to use a generic approach to the selection of the best-suited polymer for specific applications such as in the depression, aggregation and dispersion of particles in the mineral industry. A "tool box" of particular tests will be developed based on key chemical structure-solid surface activity relationships between the polymer and the host solid surface in each application considered. Potential process improvements leading to improved flotation grades, increased fine particle recovery, increased slurry throughput in pipelines and decrease in reagent dosage will result.Read moreRead less
Improving Aqueous Processing and Control of Copper-Uranium Leach Tails Behaviour. The research will provide essential training and equip us with better understanding, appropriate scientific knowledge and diagnostic tools for establishing an effective U and Cu mineral leaching and subsequent treatment processes. Specifically, improved valuable mineral dissolution rate, greater pulp handleability, efficient particles washing and pulp dewatering technology for treating U-Cu metal containing pulps ....Improving Aqueous Processing and Control of Copper-Uranium Leach Tails Behaviour. The research will provide essential training and equip us with better understanding, appropriate scientific knowledge and diagnostic tools for establishing an effective U and Cu mineral leaching and subsequent treatment processes. Specifically, improved valuable mineral dissolution rate, greater pulp handleability, efficient particles washing and pulp dewatering technology for treating U-Cu metal containing pulps, significant increase in productivity and production with reductions in reagents and human risk, will emerge. These beneficial outcomes will increase profitability and competitiveness of BHP-Billiton and Australian mineral export. Read moreRead less
Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the imp ....Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the impact of being able to separate the copper sulphide minerals at the mineral processing stage is a significant reduction in operating costs, which is a result of reduced ore handling, mining and smelting costs.Read moreRead less
Adsorption and recovery of gold thiosulfate using nanoporous carbon. The gold industry is a major export earner for both Australia and the United States. This collaborative project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable, cost effective process for the recovery of gold from thiosulfate leachate. Development of this process will remove one of the barriers to the acceptance of thiosulfate leaching over conventional cyanide extraction, leading to substantial benefits to the gold industry and ....Adsorption and recovery of gold thiosulfate using nanoporous carbon. The gold industry is a major export earner for both Australia and the United States. This collaborative project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable, cost effective process for the recovery of gold from thiosulfate leachate. Development of this process will remove one of the barriers to the acceptance of thiosulfate leaching over conventional cyanide extraction, leading to substantial benefits to the gold industry and the environment. A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export earnings resulting from technology transfer and an enhanced reputation for high quality research.Read moreRead less
Impact of recycled and low quality process water on sustainable mineral processing practices. Water is in short supply and needs to be considered as a 'key reagent'. The quality of this reagent can vary widely. For a sustainable mineral processing practice, the use of recycled or low quality/saline process water will be essential for a plant to operate in the future. The major benefit is recognition that significant recycle of process water for flotation is achievable if simple water quality con ....Impact of recycled and low quality process water on sustainable mineral processing practices. Water is in short supply and needs to be considered as a 'key reagent'. The quality of this reagent can vary widely. For a sustainable mineral processing practice, the use of recycled or low quality/saline process water will be essential for a plant to operate in the future. The major benefit is recognition that significant recycle of process water for flotation is achievable if simple water quality control and management practices are implemented. In addition, a better understanding and control of water quality in recycled/saline process water may lead to improved flotation stability and performance, and reduced reagent consumption.Read moreRead less
Optimising the Capture of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The aim of this project is to optimise the physical conditions for the capture of both fine and coarse particles by gas bubbles in flotation. The projects significance lies in the fact that fine and coarse particles represent the major economic loss of minerals in flotation. New methods to characterise the physical environment in flotation, as well as new approaches to modelling flotation will be expected outcomes of the ....Optimising the Capture of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The aim of this project is to optimise the physical conditions for the capture of both fine and coarse particles by gas bubbles in flotation. The projects significance lies in the fact that fine and coarse particles represent the major economic loss of minerals in flotation. New methods to characterise the physical environment in flotation, as well as new approaches to modelling flotation will be expected outcomes of the project.
Read moreRead less
Mineral Flotation - Integrating Science and Practice. Froth flotation is one of the most important processes in the recovery of valuable minerals from ores. This project aims to achieve a quantum improvement in the understanding of flotation, delivered as a computer model that will predict flotation response from measurable particle properties such as size, mineral composition and hydrophobicity. Providing the scientific foundation for the current practice of flotation, it will also allow floa ....Mineral Flotation - Integrating Science and Practice. Froth flotation is one of the most important processes in the recovery of valuable minerals from ores. This project aims to achieve a quantum improvement in the understanding of flotation, delivered as a computer model that will predict flotation response from measurable particle properties such as size, mineral composition and hydrophobicity. Providing the scientific foundation for the current practice of flotation, it will also allow floatability to be predicted when regrinding, oxidation or reagent addition occurs, which is beyond the scope of any current modelling approach. The model will be validated on full-scale flotation plants in Australian mineral processing operations.Read moreRead less