MINING

During electrowinning of metals (e.g. zinc, copper), gas bubbles are produced in the anodes. When these bubbles reach the surface they burst, liberating an aerosol of sulfuric acid called acid mist, which affects the health of operators, the environment and plant infrastructure.
Quillaja saponins reduce acid mist by decreasing the surface tension of the electrolyte. This modifies the size of the gas bubbles, thereby reducing acid mist.
Inclusion rates of 1- 2 ppm of saponins are sufficient. This is achieved by adding 20 - 25 ppm of Saponin 1000 or 10 ppm of Saponin ULTRA.

LITERATURE
1. Alfantazi, A.M., Dreisenger, D.B., Boissonbealt, M. , and Synnott, J. 1997. Effects of some foaming reagents on acid mist control and zinc electrowinning from Kidd Creek zinc electrolyte. Aqueous Electrotechnologies: Progress in Theory and Practice. Proceedings of the 1997 TMS Annual Meeting, Warrendale, PA, p 139 - 161.
2. Bourke, S. 1999. Control agent for reducing metal acid emmisions from electrolytic cell operations. US Patent 5,997,711.
3. Hachim, P. 1998. Extractos de quillay como supresores de neblina ácida en celdas de electro-obtención de cobre. Memoria Ingeniero Civil de Industrias. P. Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Ingeniería.
4. Mackinnon, D. 1990. The effects of saponin, antimony and glue on zinc electrowinning from Kidd Creek electrolyte. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 20: 955-963.
5. Mackinnon, D. 1991. The effects of Dowfroth, antimony and saponin on zinc electrowinning from Kidd Creek electrolyte. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 21: 213-220.
6. Mackinnon, D. 1994. The effects of foaming agents and their interaction with antimony, manganese and magnesium on zinc electrowinning from synthetic acid sulphate eletrolyte. Hydrometallurgy 35: 11-26.