| PATENT CLAIMS |
A method of increasing the flotation selectivity & effectiveness of a sulfoxy radical-contg reagent selected from metabisulfite, bisulfite & sulfite radicals, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal & NH4 salts of such compds, & mixt thereof added to condition a slurry of mixt of minerals to be separated in a mineral sepn circuit while simultaneously enhancing the safety of the circuit comprising conditioning the slurry by introducing, under pressure, prior or simultaneously with, or both prior to & simultaneously with the introduction of the sulfoxy radical-contg reagent, a quantity of a non-
oxidizing gas under pressure comprising one or more inert gases sufficient to achieve a chemical environment in the slurry conductive to the flotation sepn of the minerals & create an over-
pressure within the circuit to expel at least a portion of any fumes arising from the sulfoxy radical-contg reagent
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