AERO®7260 HFP: Novel, Safe and Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Hazardous Modifiers
– NaSH, Nokes, Na2S, and Cyanide
NaSH, Nokes and Na2S depressants generate significant
amounts of a toxic, lethal, and flammable gas, H2S. Cyanide,
which is also used as a depressant is both poisonous and has
the potential to generate HCN, a toxic and flammable gas.
In order to insure the safety of workers, the surrounding
communities and the environment, Cu-Mo plants require
several safety measures including H2S alarms and exhaust
hoods over flotation cells and other exposed areas. In
addition, H2S monitors are required on all personnel entering
these plants and workers must adhere to strict safety
protocols which involve rigorous training and evacuation
procedures. In spite of these measures, hazards still persist
Problems with Current/Conventional Depressant Technology
NaSH has been the main Cu sulfide depressant used in
Cu-Mo separations for many decades. However, due to
the danger of generation of high concentrations of toxic,
flammable, hazardous, and lethal H2S gas, NaSH poses
significant issues in plant operations and poses a threat to
the local environment. Transportation of 20 to 40 tons
per day of 40% solution of NaSH present shipping and
logistics issues both in urban and remote areas. Metallurgical
performance with NaSH is also not robust, for instance,
plants can observe large performance swings with changes
Advantages of AERO 7260 HFP
• Depression Efficiency
AERO 7260 HFP is a highly efficient depressant for Cu
sulfides and pyrite which effectively replaces 50 to 90% of
NaSH depending on the process conditions.
• Dosage-Performance
AERO 7260 HFP requires only 10% to 20% of the dosage
of NaSH, providing similar metallurgical performance.
• Stability and Ease of Handling
– Stable and chemically inert reagent in storage,
transportation, and under process conditions
– Does not release H2S or other toxic gases, and is
non-hazardous
– Classified as non-hazardous to the environment
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and the industry is waiting for a safer, economically viable
depressant which will provide the same metallurgical
benefits.
In response, Cytec has developed AERO®7260 HFP
Depressant, a highly efficient and versatile sulfide mineral
depressant with wide applicability as a selective depressant
for Cu sulfides and pyrite and a safer alternative to NaSH,
Na2S, and Nokes reagent.
The following sections discuss in greater detail the issues
with conventional depressants and benefits and application
guidelines for AERO 7260 HFP in Cu-Mo separation.
in ore mineralogy, and often pyrite depression with NaSH is
inadequate even at very large dosages, creating a significant
challenge in flotation operations.
In the absence of a robust and economically viable
alternative, NaSH (Na2S and Nokes in some plants)
continues to be used extensively in Cu-Mo operations
globally despite the hazards and all the safety concerns
associated with it. AERO 7260 HFP is Cytec’s innovative
solution to this challenging issue.
– No downstream or upstream effects to mineral
processing
– Easy-to-handle aqueous solution
– Completely miscible in water
• pH
AERO 7260 HFP is effective in a wide pH range (6 to 12).
• Staged Addition
AERO 7260 HFP is long lasting reagent eliminating the
necessity of staged addition down the bank in scavengers
and cleaner cells as with NaSH.
• Bulk Concentrate Pretreatment
Eliminates pretreatment of bulk Cu-Mo concentrate with
steam, acid and CO2 conditioning, attrition conditioning, etc.