Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers for adsorption of flotation frothers for mineral processing water reclamation

Todd Gillam; Ashlyn Austin; William Skinner; David A. Beattie; Marta Krasowska; Anton Blencowe

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2024.108764

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Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers for adsorption of flotation frothers for mineral processing water reclamation

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers for adsorption of flotation frothers for mineral processing water reclamation

Todd Gillam, Ashlyn Austin, William Skinner, David A. Beattie, Marta Krasowska and Anton Blencowe

Minerals engineering, Vol.213, 108764

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2024.108764

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Abstract

Adsorption

Flotation

Frother

Mineral processing

Polymer

Water recycling

Highlights • Frother removal for water recycling in mineral processing/flotation was investigated. • Insoluble β-cyclodextrin polymer particles were prepared via emulsion polymerisation. • Analysis of the frother, Interfloat F236N, revealed a complex mixture of alcohols. • Polymer particles allowed the removal of the frother components from solution. • Frother components with larger hydrophobic segments were preferentially adsorbed. Abstract The inclusion complexation capabilities of cyclodextrins permit them to mediate the adsorption of hydrophobic molecules. Though often associated with pharmaceutical formulations these properties afford a capacity for the extraction of appropriate hydrophobic guest molecules within industrial processes, such as water reclamation from frother contamination within mineral flotation circuits. Industrially applied flotation frothers largely comprise of a mixture of aliphatic alcohols, many of which are known to form stable inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD). Cross-linking of β-CD with epichlorohydrin through an emulsion polymerization process, afforded water-insoluble β–CD polymer particles as an effective adsorbent material for frother sequestration. Herein the capacity of these particles to adsorb frother molecules from aqueous solutions is presented. The composition of the industrially relevant frother Interfloat™ F326N, used predominantly for copper-sulfide ore flotation, was firstly elucidated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. These identified components were then shown to be adsorbed by the β-CD polymer particles, demonstrating the successful sequestration of specific frother molecules from aqueous solution. The results of this study indicate that filtration media based on water-insoluble β-CD polymer particles may provide a viable means of removing frother contamination from recycled process waters. Further, this filtration media may find use in other water purification applications where contamination with organic molecules is of concern.

Details

Title: Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymers for adsorption of flotation frothers for mineral processing water reclamation
Authors/Creators: Todd Gillam - Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials (ACTB) Group, Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), UniSA Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
Ashlyn Austin - Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials (ACTB) Group, Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), UniSA Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
William Skinner - Future Industries Institute, UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
David A. Beattie - Future Industries Institute, UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
Marta Krasowska - Future Industries Institute, UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
Anton Blencowe - Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials (ACTB) Group, Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI), UniSA Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
Publication Details: Minerals engineering, Vol.213, 108764
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Identifiers: 991005847356707891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 7 Engineering & Materials Science; 7.229 Mineral & Metal Processing; 7.229.1157 Flotation
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Chemical; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing
ESI research areas: Geosciences