Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Overview of the Ultrafine Problem

  • Chapter
Mineral Processing at a Crossroads

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 117))

Abstract

Processing of fines poses many problems mainly because traditional techniques do not work efficiently. In this paper, problems in fine grinding, concentration of fines and ultrafines and dewatering of slimes are reviewed along with the fundamental reasons involved. Effects of chemical additives on grinding and interference by dissolved mineral species in selective separation are examined in detail. Promising techniques considered for the beneficiation of fines include selective flocculation and agglomeration, oil and dissolved air flotation, column flotation, and magnetic, electrostatic and electrophoretic techniques. Subsidence behaviour of slimes utilized in the formulation of phenomenological models is discussed. Finally, important research opportunities in fine particle processing areas are noted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Somasundaran, P., “Fine Particles Treatment”, in Research Needs in Mineral Processing, Somasundaran, P. and Fuerstenau, D.W., eds., Columbia University, 1976, pp. 125–137.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Somasundaran, P., “Processing Mineral Fines”, Engineering and Mining Journal, Dec. 1979, pp. 46–67.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fuerstenau, D.W., Chander, S., and Abouzeid, A.M., “The Recovery of Fine Particles by Physical Separation Methods”, in Beneficiation of Mineral Fines, Somasundaran, P. and Arbiter, N., AIME, 1979, pp. 3–59.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Somasundaran, P., “Role of Surface Phenomena in the Beneficiation of Fine Particles”, Mining Engineering, Vol. 36, 1984, pp. 1177–1186.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gow., A.M., Guggenheim, M. and Coghill, W.H., “Review of Fine Grinding in Ore Concentrators”, U.S. Bureau of Mines, IC, 6757, January 1934.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Orr, C. Jr., Particulate Technology, Macmillan, New York, 1966, pp. 44–86.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Locher, F.W. and Seebach, H.M.V., “Influence of Adsorption on Industrial Grinding”, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Process Pes. Dev., Vol. 11, 1972, pp. 190–197.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Korac, V., “Use of Grinding Auxiliary Agents in Cement Production”, Tehnika (Belgrade), 27, 1972, 649–653, Chem. Abstr. 77, 922609.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Popovic, K. “Effects of Grinding Aids on Portland Cement Clinker,” Cement (Zagreb), 15, 14–17, 1971, Chem. Abstr. Vol. 76, 144429 p.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Furukawa, T., Anan, A., and Yamasaki, K., “Use of Grinding Agents in Closed Circuit Grinding System for Cement Clinker”, Semento Gijutsu Nempo, 25, 69–75, 1971, Chem. Abstr., Vol. 77, 14340g.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. El-Shall, H., and Somasundaran, P., “Physico-chemical Aspects of Grinding: A Review of Use of Additives”, Powder Technology, Vol. 38, 1984, pp. 275–293.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Somasundaran, P., and Lin, I.J. “Effect of the Nature of Environment on Comminution Processes”, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Process Pes, and Dev., Vol.11, 1972, pp. 321–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Somasundaran, P. “Theories of Grinding” in Ceramic Processing before Grinding, Onoda, G.Y., Jr., and Hench, L., Wiley, 1978, pp. 105–123.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bond, F.C., “Wet versus Dry Grinding”, Mining Congr. J., Vol. 43, 1957, pp. 38–40.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Goghill, W.H., and Devaney, F.D., “Ball Mill Grinding”, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Tech. Paper No. 581, 1937.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Rose, H.E., Sullican, R.M.E., Ball, Tube and Rod Mills, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, 1958, p. 30.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lin, I.J., and Mitzmager, A., “The Influence of the Environment on the Comminution on Quartz”, Trans. AIME, Vol. 241, 1968, pp. 412–418.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Locher, F.W., Eichartz, W., von Seebach, H.M. and Sprung, S., “Environmental Effects in Grinding”, Extended Abstracts, 163rd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Boston, 1972, p.81.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kapur, P.C., Mular, A.L., and Fuerstenau, D.W., “The Role of Fluids in Comminution”, Can. J. Chem. Eng., Vol. 43, 1965, pp. 119–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hockings, W.A., Volin, M.E., and Mular, A.L., “Effect of Suspending Fluid Viscosity on Batch Mill Grinding”, Trans. AIME, Vol. 232, 1965, pp. 59–62.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kiesskalt, S.Z., Ver Deut Ing. Vol. 91, 1949, pp. 313–315.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Von Szantho, E., “Der Einglux Von Oberflachenaktiven Stoffen Beider Feinzerkleinerung”, Erzbergbau Metallhubettenwes, Vol.2, 1949, pp. 353–360.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gilbert, L.A., and Hughes, T.H., “Some Experiments in Additive Grinding”, Symposium Zerkleinern, Verlag Chem., Duseldorf, Germany 1962, pp. 170–193.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Opoczky, L., Epitoanzag, Vol. 19, 1967, 121–125.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. El-Shall, H.E., Gorken, A., and Somasundaran, P., “Effects of Chemical Additives on Wet Grinding of Iron Ore Minerals” in Mineral Processing, Laskowski, J., ed., Elsevier, Vol. 2., Part A, 1981, pp. 695–726 and 738-755.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Somasundaran, P., and Atli, A., “Effect of Chemical Additives on the Pulp Fluidity and Grinding in Wet Batch Milling”, World Congress on Particle Technology, Nuremberg, April 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  27. El-Shall, H.E., “Effect of Chemical Additives on Grinding”, D.E.Sc. Thesis, Columbia University, New York, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Fuerstenau, D.W., Venkataraman, K.S., and Velamakanni, B.V., “Effect of Chemical Additives on the Dynamics of Grinding Media in Wet Batch Grinding in Ball Mills”, International J. Mineral Processing, Vol. 15. 1985, pp. 251–267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Klimpel, R., and Manfroy, W., “Development of Chemical Grinding Aids and their Effect on Selection-for-Breakage and Breakage Distribution Parameters in the Wet-Grinding of Ores”, paper presented at XII Int. Min. Proc. Cong., Sao Paulo, Brazil (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Klimpel, R.R., and Manfroy, W., “Chemical Grinding Aids for increasing throughput in the Wet Grinding of Ores”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Pes. Dev., Vol. 17, 1978, pp. 518–523.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Klimpel, R.R., “The Engineering Analysis of Dispersion Effects in Selected Mineral Processing Operations”, in Fine Particles Processing, Somasundaran, P., ed., AIME, New York, 1980, pp. 1129–1152.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Klimpel, R.R., Powder Technol., Vol. 32, 1982, p. 267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Somasundaran, P., and El-Shall, H., “Mechanochemical Effects in Ultrafine Grinding” in Ultrafine Grinding and Separation of Industrial Minerals, Malgham, S.G., ed., AIME, New York, 1983, pp. 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Brown, J.H., M.I.T. Progress Report, N.Y.O. 7172, 1955.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Stanzyk, M.H. and Feld, I.L., U.S. Bureau of Mines Report 7168, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Frangiskos, A.W.Z., and Smith, H.G., Trans. Miner. Dressing Conqr., Stockholm, Sweden 1957, pp. 67–84.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Becke, B., Principles of Comminution, Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Somasundaran, P., and Moudgil, B.M., “Preparation and Characterization of Clean Mineral Surfaces” in Surface Contamination, Vol. 1, Mittal, K.L., ed., Plenum, 1979, pp. 457–475.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Kulkarni, R.D., and Somasundaran, P., “Mineralogical Heterogeneity of Ore Particles and its effects on their Interfacial Properties”, Powder Technol., Vol. 14, 1976, pp. 279–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Somasundaran, P., and Roussev, R., “Morphology of Fine Particles produced by Grinding”, in Power Metallurgy and Related High Temperature Materials, Oxford and IBM publishing, 1985, pp. 59–68.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Lin, I.J., and Somasundaran, P., “Alterations in Properties of Samples during their Preparation by Grinding”, Powder Tech., Vol. 6, 1972, pp. 171–180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Oliver, J.F., Huh, C., and Mason, S.G., “An Experimental Study of some effects of Solid Surface on Wetting”, Colloid Surfaces, Vol. 1, 1980, pp. 79–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Somasundaran, P., Amankonah, J.O., and Ananthapadmanabhan, K.P., “Calcite-Apatite Interactions and their effects in Selective Flotation using Oleate” in XVth International Mineral Processing Congress, Vol. 11, 1985, pp. 244–254.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Somasundaran, P., Amankonah, J.O.,and Anathapadmanabhan, K. “Mineral-Solution Equilibria in Sparingly Soluble Mineral Systems”, Colloids and Surfaces, pp. 309–333; (b) Amankonah, J.O., Somasundaran, P., and Ananthapadmanabhan, K., “Effects of Dissolved Mineral Species on the Dissolution/Precipitation Characteristics of Calcite and Apatite”, Colloids and Surfaces, pp. 295-307; (c) Amankonah, J.O., and Somasundaran, P., “Effects of Dissolved Mineral Species on the Electrokinetic Behaviour of Calcite and Apatite”, Colloids and Surfaces, pp. 335-353. Vol. 15.

    Google Scholar 

  45. (a)Acar, S., and Somasundaran, P., “Effect of Dissolved Mineral Species on Flocculation of Sulphides”, Minerals and Metallurgical Processing, Vol. 2, 1985, pp. 231–235; (b) Acar, S., “Interactions between Polymer, Complexing Reagent and Dissolved Mineral Species in Selective Flocculation System”, D.E.Sc, Columbia University, New York, 1985.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Ananthapadmanabhan, K.P. and Somasundaran, P., “Surface Precipitation of Inorganics and Surfactants and its role in Adsorption and Flotation”, Colloids and Surfaces, Vol. 13, 1985, pp. 151–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Chia, Y.H., and Somasundaran, P., “Carrier Flotation of Anatase from Clay and its Physicochemical Mechanisms”, in Ultrafine Grinding and Separation, Malgham, S.G., ed., AIME, 1983, pp. 117–131.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Chia, Y.H., and Somasundaran, P., “A Theoretical Approach to Flocculation in Carrier Flotation for Beneficiation of Clay”, Colloids and Surfaces, Vol. 8, 1983, pp. 187–202.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Chia, Y.H., and Somasundaran, P., “Role of Agitation in Electrokinetics and Carrier Flotation of Clay using Calcite and Oleate”, Transactions SME, Vol. 272, 1983, pp. 1970–1973.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Somasundaran, P., and Cleverdon, J., “A Study of Polymer/Surfactant Interaction at the Mineral/Solution Interface”, Colloids and Surfaces, Vol. 13, 1985, pp. 73–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Kulkarni, R.D., and Somasundaran, P., “Effects of Reagentizing Temperature and Ionic Strength and their Interactions in Hematite Flotation”, Trans. SME, 202, 1977, pp. 120–125.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Nagaraj, S.R. and Somasundaran, P., “Copper, Flotation with Anti-5-Nonyl-2-Hydroxy Benzophenone Oxime”, U.S. Patent 4 130–415, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Nagaraj, D.R., and Somasundaran, P., “Commercial Chelating Extractants as Collectors: Flotation of Copper Minerals using ‘LIX’ Reagents”, Trans. Am. Inst. Min. Engrs., Vol. 266, 1979, pp. 1892–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Nagaraj, D.R. and Somasundaran, P. “Chelating Agents as Flotaids: LIX-Copper Minerals System” in Recent Developments in Separation Science, Li, N. et al, eds., CRC Press, Vol 5, 1979, pp. 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Nagaraj, D.R., and Somasundaran, P., “Chelating Agents as Collectors in Flotation: Oximes-Copper Minerals Systems”, Mining Engineering, Vol. 33, 1981, pp. 1351–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Somasundaran, P., and Nagaraj, D.R., “Chemistry and Applications of Chelating Agents in Flotation and Flocculation”, in Reagents in the Minerals Industry, IMM (London) 1983, pp. 209–219.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Carta, M., et al, “Investigations on Beneficiation of Ultrafine Fluorite from Latium”, Xlth International Mineral Processing Congress, Cagliari, 1975, paper 41.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Usoni, L., et al, “Selective Properties of Flocculants and Possibilities of their use in Flotation of Fine Minerals”, VIIIth International Mineral Processing Congress, Leningrad, 1968, paper D-13.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Somasundaran, P., “Foams and Flotation” in Theory, Practice and Process Principles for Physical Separation, Freeman, M.P., and Fitzpatrick, J.A., ed., Engineering Foundation, N.Y., 1981, pp. 237–242.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Somasundaran, P., “Principles of Selective Aggregation” in Beneficiation of Mineral Fines, Somasundaran, P., and Arbiter, N., ed., AIME, 1979, pp. 183–196.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Iwasaki, I., Cooke, S.R.B., and Colombo, A.F. Report of Investigations, No. 5593, U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Colombo, A.F., “Selective Flocculation — Flotation of Oxidised Taconites”, in Theory, Practice and Process Principles for Physical Separations, Freeman, M.P., and Fitzpatrick, J.A., eds., Engineering Foundation, N.Y., 1981, pp. 221–225.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Read, A.D., “The Use of High Molecular Weight Polyacrylamides in the Selective Flocculation Separation of a Mineral Mixture”, Brit. Polym. J., Vol. 4, 1972, p. 253.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Attia, Y.A., and Kitchener, J.A., “Development of Complexing Polymers for the Selective Flocculation of Copper Minerals”, Proc. Xlth Int. Min. Proc. Conqr., Cagliari, 1975, p. 1233.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Read, A.D., and Hollick, C.T., “Selective Flocculation Techniques for Recovery of Fine Particles”, Min. Sci. Eng., Vol. 8, 1976, p. 202.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Rubio, J., and Kitchener, J.A., “New Basis for Selective Flocculation of Mineral Slimes”, Trans. IMM (London), Vol. 86, 1977, p. C97.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Somasundaran, P., and Lee, L.T., “Polymer-Surfactant Interaction on Flotation of Quartz”, Separation Sci. and Tech., Vol. 16, 1981, pp. 1475–1490.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Sirianni, A.F., Capes, C.E., and Pudding, I.E., “Recent Experience with the Spherical Agglomeration Process”, Canadian J. of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 39, 1969, p. 166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Farnand, J.R., Smith, H.M., and Puddington, I.E., “Spherical Agglomeration of Solids in Liquid Suspension”, Canadian J. of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 39, 1961, p. 94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Read, A.D. and Hollick, C.T., “Selective Flocculation Techniques for Recovery of Fine Particles”, Minerals Science Engineering, Vol. 8, 1976, p. 202.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Gaudin, A.M., and Malozemoff, P., “Recovery by Flotation of Mineral Particles of Colloidal Size”, J. Physical Chemistry, Vol. 37, 1933, p. 579.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Iannicelli, J., “High Intensity, High Gradient Magnetic Separation” in Beneficiation of Mineral Fines, Somasundaran, P., and Arbiter, N., ed., AIME, 1979, pp. 363–379.

    Google Scholar 

  73. (a)Oberteuffer, J.A., and Wechslet, I., “Recent Advances in High Gradient Magnetic Separation”, pp. 1178–1216; (b) Hopstock, D.M., and Colombo, A.F., “Processing Finely Ground Taconite by Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation”, pp. 1241-1260; (c) Petrakis, L., Ahner, P.E. and Kiviat, F.E., “High Gradient Magnetic Separations of Fine Particles from Industrial Streams”, pp. 1261-1286; (d) Corrans, I.J., “A Development in the Application of Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation”, pp. 1294-1309, in Fine Particle Processing, Somasundaran, P., ed., AIME, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Revnivtsev, V.I., and Khopunov, E.A. “Fundamentals of Tribioelectric Separations of Fine Particles”, in ibid, pp. 1325–1341.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Hopstock, D.M., “Electric and Magnetic Separation”, Morey, B., Discussion in Research Needs in Mineral Processing, Somasundaran, P. and Fuerstenau, D.W., eds., Columbia University, 1976, pp. 88–102.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Somasundaran, P., and Sresty, G.C., “Dewatering of Slow-Settling Sludges”, Second Handbook Volume on Particle-Fluid Separation Technology, IIT Research Institute, Chicago, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Somasundaran, P., Smith, E.L., Jr., and Harris, C.C., “Dewatering of Phosphate Slimes using Coarse Additives”, XIth Int. Minerl. Proc. Congr. Proceedings, Instituto de Arte Minerai e Preparazione dei Minerali, Universita de Cagliari, 1975, pp. 1301–1322.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Somasandaran, P., Smith, E.L., Jr., and Harris, C.C., “Effect of Coarser Particles on the Settling Characterisitics of Phosphatic Slimes”, Proc. 1st. Conf. on Particle Technology, Chicago, IIT Research Institute, 1973, pp. 144–150.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Harris, C.C., Somasundaran, P., and Jenson, R.R., “Sedimentation of Compressible Materials: Analysis of Batch Sedimentation Curves”, Powder Tech, Vol.11, 1975, pp. 74–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Nagaraj, D.R., McAllister, L., and Somasundaran, P., “Subsidence of Suspension of Phosphate Slime and its Major Constituents”, Int. J. Min. Proc., Vol. 4, 1977, pp. 111–129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Somadundaran, P., “Thickening or Dewatering of Slow Settling Mineral Suspensions”, XIIIth International Mineral Process. Congr. Proceedings, Elsevier, 1982, pp. 233–262.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Somasundaran, P., “Fundamentals of Dewatering Fine Particulate Slurries” in Progress in the Dewatering of Fine Particles Conference, USBM and U. Alabama, 1981, p. 35.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Parks, G., Dicks, M., Finkelstein, N.P., Morey, B., and Somasundaran, P., “Summary of Problems and Research Needs”, in Beneficiation of Mineral Fines, Somasundaran, P., and Arbiter, N., eds., AIME, 1979, pp. 391–398.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Henry Krumb School of Mines, Columbia University, New York, USA

    P. Somasundaran

Authors
  1. P. Somasundaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Camborne School of Mines, Redruth, Cornwall, UK

    B. A. Wills (Senior Lecture) & R. W. Barley (Senior Lecture) (Senior Lecture) &  (Senior Lecture)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1986 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Somasundaran, P. (1986). An Overview of the Ultrafine Problem. In: Wills, B.A., Barley, R.W. (eds) Mineral Processing at a Crossroads. NATO ASI Series, vol 117. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4476-3_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4476-3_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8493-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4476-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation