Method for separating fine particles by selective hydrophobic coagulation

Publication Date
1992-11-10Filing Date
1990-04-24Inventor
Yoon, Roe-Hoan
Luttrell, Gerald H.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A process of selectively agglomerating coal in an aqueous environment while leaving the mineral matter dispersed has been developed. This process is autogenous for hydrophobic particles in that neither an agglomerating agent nor an electrolytic coagulant is needed. It is based on the finding that hydrophobic particles are pushed against each other by the surrounding water structure. This process, which is referred to as selective hydrophobic coagulation, is driven by the so-called hydrophobic interaction energy, which is not included in the classical DLVO theory describing the stability of lyophobic suspensions. The relatively small coagula formed by the selective hydrophobic coagulation process can be readily separated from the dispersed mineral matter by several different techniques such as screening, elutriation, sedimentation and froth flotation.
Assignee
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
Patent Number
5161694
Application Number
7513884
Primary/U.S. Class
209/5
Other/U.S. Class
209/8
209/9
209/165
209/167
44/624
44/627
CPC Class
B03D3/02
B03B1/04
B03C1/01
Patent Type
utility
Collections
- Virginia Tech Patents [619]