3D X-ray tomographic analysis reveals how coesite is preserved in Muong Nong-type tektites

Muong Nong-type (MN) tektites are a layered type of tektite associated to the Australasian strewn field, the youngest (790 kyr) and largest on Earth. In some MN tektites, coesite is observed in association with relict quartz and silica glass within inclusions surrounded by a froth layer. The formation of coesite-bearing frothy inclusions is here investigated through a 3D textural multiscale analysis of the vesicles contained in a MN tektite sample, combined with compositional and spectroscopic data. The vesicle size distribution testifies to a post-shock decompression that induced melting and extensive vesiculation in the tektite melt. Compared to free vesicles, nucleated homogeneously in the tektite melt, froth vesicles nucleated heterogeneously on relict quartz surfaces at the margins of coesite-bearing inclusions. The rapid detachment of the froth vesicles and prompt reactivation of the nucleation site favoured the packing of vesicles and the formation of the froth structure. Vesicle relaxation time scales suggest that the vesiculation process lasted few seconds. The formation of the froth layer was instrumental for the preservation of coesite, promoting quenching of the inclusion core through the subtraction of heat during froth expansion, thereby physically insulating the inclusion until the final quench of the tektite melt.

Effect of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the flotation behavior of coking coal

Kaolinite, as a mineral in fine coal, has an important influence on the flotation of coal particles. In this study, the effects of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the flotation recovery of coal particles were investigated. Flotation tests were carried out using a mixture of coal particles and different amounts of ultrafine kaolinite particles. Combined with the Stefan–Reynold theory, the effect of liquid film drainage rate between coal bubbles in a kaolinite suspension was calculated. The yield of flotation clean coal increases quickly with the increasing content of ultrafine kaolinite particles. The ultrafine kaolinite particles can reduce the surface tension of the suspension, weaken the bubble coalescence, and stabilize the structure of the froth layer. In addition, the ultrafine kaolinite particles increase the apparent viscosity of the flotation pulp slightly. It is concluded that the role of ultrafine kaolinite particles on the positive effect of froth properties conceals the negative effect on the liquid film drainage rate between coal particles and bubbles caused by the kaolinite particles, which ultimately leads to an increasing yield of clean coal with an increasing content of kaolinite particles. This study is important for understanding the influence of ultrafine kaolinite on coal particle flotation.

Gravitational Settling of Glass Fibers on an Air Bubble

Froth flotation is a separation process in which air bubbles are introduced in a water tank to separate the valuable commodities from the valueless material. Based on their relative affinity to water the valuable particles attach to the bubble surface and are carried to the top of the flotation tank to form the froth layer. The resulting froth layer is eventually collected to produce the concentrate. Froth flotation has been used for more than a century in mining operations to separate valuable materials such as rare earth metals from excavated ores. More recently, froth flotation has been employed for the treatment of contaminated water. In the present study, the effect of the particle elongation on the attachment mechanism is investigated in great detail. Using an in-house optical micro-bubble sensor the attachment of micron glass fibres on the surface of a stationary air bubble immersed in stagnant water is investigated. The attachment mechanism is here defined as three successive events: the approach of the particle near the bubble upstream pole, the collision of the solid particle with the gas-liquid interface and the particle sliding on the gas bubble surface. The translational particle velocities together with the particle orientation during entire attachment process are measured and compared with a theoretical model. For the first time the existence of two types of attachment is shown. Upon collision near the upstream pole of the gas bubble the major axis of the fibre aligns with the local bubble surface. If collision occurs at least 30° further downstream the contact is likely to take a punctual form, i.e. the head of the fibre is in contact with the gas-liquid interface.

A novel multistage kinetic modeling of flotation for wastewater treatment

This study develops a new model for description of flotation kinetics. It defines flotation as a process that consists of several stages: separated air bubbles and particles, air bubbles and particles forming an aggregate, aggregate rising to the froth layer. This description significantly differs from known models, which are much simplified. The multistage model gives a novel in-depth description and considers different aspects of flotation, i.e. aggregate formation, which is critically important for flotation to take place. Experimental approval of the new model resulted in its accuracy. The model is to be used for a description of kinetics of all flotation processes in wastewater treatment. It helps in accurate design of flotation treatment plants and may be used for further research of the flotation process.

Study on Seafloor Mineral Processing for Mining of Seafloor Massive Sulfides

Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMSs), which were formed by deposition of precipitates from hydrothermal fluids vented from seafloor, has been expected as one of unconventional mineral resources on deep seafloors in the oceans. The authors have proposed the concept of seafloor mineral processing for SMS mining, where valuable minerals contained in SMS ores are separated on seafloor while gangue minerals are disposed on seafloor in appropriate ways. To confirm the applicability of column flotation, which is one of conventional mineral processing methods, to seafloor mineral processing, the authors carried out experiments simulating column flotation under the pressure conditions corresponding to the water depths down to 1000m in maximum using ore samples containing copper, iron, zinc and lead. In the experiments, formation of fine bubbles suitable to flotation and overflow of froth layer were observed at high pressures. The contents of copper and zinc in the concentrates recovered in the experiments at 1MPa were higher than those in the feed ores while the contents of silicon and calcium in the concentrates were lower than those in the feed ores. These results suggest that column flotation would be applicable to seafloor mineral processing.

Concept of Seafloor Mineral Processing for Development of Seafloor Massive Sulfides

Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS), which were formed by deposition of precipitates from hydrothermal fluids vented from seafloor, is one of unconventional mineral resources beneath deep seafloors in the world. The authors have proposed the concept of seafloor mineral processing for development of SMS, where useful minerals included in SMS ores are separated on seafloor to be lifted while the remaining gangue is disposed on seafloor in appropriate ways. To apply column flotation, one of conventional methods in mineral processing, to seafloor mineral processing, the authors carried out simulating experiments of column flotation on deep seafloor using ores including copper, iron, lead and zinc as metallic elements. Prior to the experiments at high pressures, preparatory experiments at the atmospheric pressure were carried out to find out the optimum condition of the properties of pulp, a mixture of feed ore, water and chemical reagents. In flotation experiments at high pressures, formation and overflow of froth layer by bubbling were observed at 1MPa in both of pulps with pure water and artificial seawater. The analytical data showed that the concentration of metallic elements such as copper and zinc in the concentrates recovered from the experiments was higher than that in the feed ores while the concentration of silicon and calcium, which are assigned to gangue, in the concentrates was lower than that in the feed ores. These results suggest that column flotation can be applied to operation on seafloor.