GB212436A - Apparatus for washing minerals and other substances - Google Patents

Abstract

212,436. Henry, R. A. April 4, 1923. Upward - current classifiers; stationaryvessel washing-apparatus.-In apparatus for washing minerals of the type wherein a trough is traversed longitudinally by a classifying current which moves in a closed circuit, the lighter material is moved from the circuit by diverting from the main current a small current which is led back into the main circuit after being relieved of the material it carries. The separated materials fall under gravity to the bottom of a reservoir whence they are removed. To avoid choking of the circulating pump by mud, the latter is removed by scavenging apparatus before the material is admitted to the washer. The material is fed into the part 2 of the scavenging apparatus, where the heavy material falls, to be removed by the chain of buckets 5, whereas the light material is carried upwards into the part 7 by a current, assisted by an air blast delivered at 3. Further separation thereof is effected by means of a current in the part 8, the mud being drawn off at a passage 10. The heavier material removed by the buckets 5 is deposited in the trough 11 and sorted by deposition under the action of the current, the denser material falling through orifices 13 into a tank 12, and the intermediate material being carried round towards the passage 16 and circulating pump 14. The latter is only partially submerged so that air may be drawn in by it. The material in suspension in the circulating current traverses the overflow 15 into a tank 17 where it settles, the current therefrom returning via the overflow 18 to the closed circuit. Draining chains may be provided for the tanks 12, 17. A tap 21 supplies water to the tank 12 to prevent water descending through the orifice 13 and, for regulating the water level generally, a supply tap 22 and drawing-off tap 20 are provided.