Flotation aids and processes for using the same

摘要

This invention relates to particulate and/or liquid droplet separation processes from liquids containing the same and the use of specific chemical additives to control surface wetting, hydrophobicity and surface forces in such processes.

主权项

1. A process for separating finely divided particulate matter and/or liquid droplets from a liquid containing the same including:
(i) a flocculation and flotation step in which an amount of a stimulus-sensitive polymer is added to the liquid containing the finely divided particulate matter and/or liquid droplets for a time and under conditions sufficient to partition a portion of the finely divided particulate matter; (ii) a separation step in which a portion of the partitioned finely divided particulate matter and/or liquid droplets is separated from step (i), wherein the flotation step is conducted under first conditions such that the stimulus-sensitive polymer is substantially hydrophilic and then second conditions such that the stimulus-sensitive polymer is substantially hydrophobic, whereby the substantially hydrophilic stimulus-sensitive polymer minimises heterocoagulation between two different types of finely divided particulate matter and/or liquid droplets.