Patent ID: 7624878
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: B03D

Abstract:
1. A method of separating a first material from a second material, the method comprising: mixing the first material and the second material in a slurry with a beneficiation composition, wherein the beneficiation composition comprises at least one green collector and at least one fatty acid by-product derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process, or at least one fatty acid by-product derived from transesterification reactions involving triglycerides; providing air bubbles in the slurry to form bubble-particle aggregates with the first material; and allowing the bubble-particle aggregates to be separated from the second material, wherein the fatty acid by-product includes at least one of a methyl ester or ethyl ester and said fatty acid by-product further includes glycerin and unsaponifiable matter and the composition further comprises water and inorganic salt.