Heavy liquid separation

The heavy liquid separation allows the enrichment of heavy minerals such as zircon and monazite using a heavy liquid. The LST heavy liquid "Fastfloat" (a Li-polytungstate solution, density 2.80 g/mL) from Polytungstates Europe (UK) is used for this purpose. The liquid can be purified and reused and is less toxic than previously used heavy liquids such as bromoform or diiodomethane (or methylene iodide). The heavy liquid separation and wet chemical operations are performed in two fume hoods.