Gravity Separation Method in Metallurgy

Magnetic Separation Method

• Utilizes magnetic forces to separate magnetic components from nonmagnetic ones in ores.
• A part of the machine known as the magnetic separator attracts magnetic ingredients from the ore, ensuring effective separation.
• Gangue particles, which are unwanted materials, are separated through the action of the magnetic field, which repels them away from magnetic ores.

Conveyor Belt in Magnetic Separation

• The conveyor belt is typically made of rubber or similar non-magnetic materials, allowing for smooth transportation during the separation process.
• Nonmagnetic particles are carried along the belt as it moves, ensuring their progression away from the magnetic components.

Behavior of Nonmagnetic Particles

• Nonmagnetic particles continue along the conveyor belt and are collected for further processing, effectively eliminating them from the primary concentrated ore.

Froth Flotation Method

• Froth flotation is based on the differential wettability of ore particles where certain particles attach to a froth layer while others sink.
• Metal sulfides in the froth flotation process tend to be predominantly wetted with oil due to their hydrophobic nature, allowing for efficient separation.
• Gangue particles are wetted with water due to their hydrophilic properties, which keeps them submerged and separated from the desired minerals.

Separation Processes in Magnetic and Froth Flotation

• Magnetic separation employs a magnetic field to segregate magnetic from nonmagnetic ingredients, facilitating efficient mineral extraction.
• An example of an ore used in magnetic separation includes magnetite due to its distinctive magnetic properties.
• The method used to concentrate certain ores discussed involves both magnetic separation and froth flotation, optimizing the extraction of valuable minerals.