RU2845038C1 - Orbital vibration concentrator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to mineral processing, specifically to an orbital vibratory concentrator, which can be used to separate metal particles of precious metals (gold, platinum, etc.) from sands or crushed ore, in particular for additional extraction of gold from an intermediate product obtained on tables-concentrators. Orbital vibratory concentrator comprises flushing vessel (1) and rinsing tank drive connected thereto. Flushing vessel (1) has outer cylindrical wall (4), inner cylindrical wall (5), bottom (7) and central discharge hole (8) limited by the upper edge of inner wall (5) and located above the level of bottom (7), but below the upper edge of outer wall (4). Besides, it comprises cover (2) arranged inside flushing vessel (1) above central discharge opening (8). Cover (2) has horizontal base (13) with holes (14) for supply of material into rinse vessel (1), as well as cylindrical wall (15) located below base (13) between outer (4) and inner (5) walls of flushing vessel (1). Bottom (7) of flushing vessel (1) is horizontal. Orbital shaker (3) is used as a means of moving the flushing vessel, designed with the possibility of transmitting flushing vessel (1) orbital motion along a circular trajectory strictly in a horizontal plane.

EFFECT: reduced loss of fine metal particles (less than 0.1 mm) in separation, higher efficiency of separation irrespective of shape and size.

10 cl, 10 dwg, 1 tbl, 1 ex

Description

[01] Field of technology

[02] The invention relates to the field of mineral enrichment, namely to an orbital vibratory concentrator, which can be used to separate metallic particles of precious metals (gold, platinum, etc.) from sand or crushed ore and, in particular, for the additional extraction of gold from the intermediate product obtained on concentration tables.

[03] State of the Art

[04] The closest analogue of the invention is the washing device disclosed in US Patent US254123A, 28.02.1882. The device contains a washing tank in the form of a bowl, as well as drives for rotary and rocking (shaking) movement of the bowl. The washing tank has an outer annular wall, an inner annular wall limited by a protective plate, an inclined bottom, and a central discharge opening passing through the protective plate. The discharge opening is made above the bottom, but below the upper edge of the outer wall. In this device, the initial pulp in the form of a mixture of ore/sand particles and water is discharged into the bowl. During centrifugal rotation and vibrational movement of the bowl, light particles (waste) are carried away by water to the center and removed through the central opening, and heavy particles (gold) settle on the periphery of the bowl in a groove.

[05] The main disadvantage of this device is the low efficiency of separating small-sized metal particles (less than 0.1 mm), due to the fact that most of them will be carried away into the central hole along with the vortex flow of water.

[06] The above-mentioned disadvantage defines the main technical problem solved by the claimed invention.

[07] Disclosure of the essence of the invention

[08] The technical result of the invention is a reduction in the loss of small metal particles (less than 0.1 mm) during separation, and an increase in the efficiency of separation of particles of different densities, regardless of size and shape.

[09] The specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that the orbital vibration concentrator includes a washing tank and a means for moving the washing tank connected to it, wherein the washing tank has an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, a bottom and a central discharge opening limited by the upper edge of the inner wall and located above the bottom level, but below the upper edge of the outer wall. Unlike the analogue, the device additionally contains a cover installed inside the washing tank above the central discharge opening, the specified cover has a horizontal base for feeding material into the washing tank, as well as a cylindrical wall located below the base between the outer and inner walls of the washing tank. The bottom of the washing tank is made horizontal. An orbital shaker is used as a means for moving the washing tank, made with the possibility of transmitting the orbital motion of the washing tank along a circular trajectory strictly in a horizontal plane.

[010] In addition, the specified technical result is achieved in particular embodiments of the invention due to the fact that:

[011] - the orbital shaker (3) is additionally equipped with a vibration motor;

[012] - the base of the lid is made round, and the openings in the base of the lid for feeding material into the washing tank (1) are formed by cutouts located along the edge of the said base;

[013] - the base of the cover is placed on the internal support annular projection (10) of the outer wall of the washing tank;

[014] - the lower edge of the lid wall is located no higher than the upper edge of the inner wall of the wash tank;

[015] - holes are made in the wall of the lid for air release or intake.

[016] - the inner wall at the top has an extension that forms a drain neck;

[017] - the bottom of the washing tank has annular grooves on the inside;

[018] - the bottom of the wash tank has a fixing annular groove on the outside for connecting the wash tank to the orbital shaker;

[019] - a drain for water from the wash tank is made in the outer wall of the bottom.

[020] The main differences between the invention under consideration and its closest analogue are the horizontal design of the container bottom, the additional use of a lid, and the use of an orbital shaker.

[021] The use of a horizontal tank bottom eliminates the uncontrolled movement of particles to the central discharge opening and reduces the likelihood of small metal particles being carried away by the water flow.

[022] The use of a cover with a wall allows to reduce flow turbulence, to divide the working space of the tank into external and internal circuits, connected according to the principle of communicating vessels. The external circuit serves as a zone for the initial sedimentation of heavy particles. The internal circuit prevents the rapid entrainment of dense particles to the discharge opening, giving them more time to settle on the bottom of the tank.

[023] The use of an orbital shaker, which ensures the movement of the washing tank strictly in a horizontal plane along a circular trajectory (without rotating the tank around its axis), makes it possible to create a stable swirling flow of water, minimizing vertical oscillations and vertical turbulence, which improves the conditions for separating particles by density.

[024] All these features create more stable and controlled separation conditions, in which dense metal particles (e.g. gold) have time to settle to the bottom of the container. Thus, the claimed orbital vibratory concentrator provides a significant reduction in the loss of small particles and an increase in the efficiency of particle separation compared to analogues.

[025] Particular embodiments of the device are aimed at enhancing the specified technical result. Making holes for feeding material along the perimeter of the lid base allows for uniform distribution of the source material across the working space, eliminating the formation of local zones with a high flow rate, where small particles could be carried away. Making the lid wall with holes allows for faster compensation of the pressure difference between the internal and external contours. The use of horizontal grooves on the bottom of the container prevents the particles from being carried away and fixes them in local zones, from where they cannot be removed by the water flow. The use of an expansion (neck) of the container additionally prevents gold particles from leaving the container along with the water flow, providing improved protection against losses.

[026] Brief description of drawings

[027] The design of the declared vibration concentrator is explained by drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows the general diagram of the claimed device;

Fig. 2 shows a view of the washing tank at an angle;

Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the flushing tank from the side;

Fig. 4 shows a view of the flushing tank from above;

Fig. 5 shows the bottom view of the wash tank;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative version of the bottom of the washing tank;

Fig. 7 shows a view of the cover at an angle;

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the cover;

Fig. 9 shows a view of the cover from above;

Fig. 10 shows the bottom view of the cover.

[028] The structural elements of the device are designated on the drawings by the following positions:

1 – washing container (bowl);

2 – cover;

3 – orbital shaker;

4 – outer wall of the container;

5 – inner wall of the container;

6 – expansion (neck) of the inner wall;

7 – bottom of the container;

8 – central discharge opening;

9 – working space of the container;

9a - outer contour;

9b – inner contour;

10 – internal support ring projection;

11 – fixing annular groove of the bottom;

12 – grooves on the bottom;

13 – base of the lid;

14 – hole in the base of the lid;

15 – lid wall,

16 – hole in the wall of the lid for air release/intake;

17 – water drain.

[029] Implementation of the invention

[030] The claimed orbital vibration concentrator is a structurally unified device containing a washing tank (1), a cover (2) placed in the washing tank and an orbital shaker (3) connected to

capacity (1) with the ability to transmit orbital motion strictly in a horizontal plane.

[031] The washing tank (1) is made in the form of a round bowl, comprising an outer cylindrical wall (4), an inner cylindrical wall (5) and a flat horizontal bottom (7), which form an annular working space (9). In the center of the tank there is a discharge (drain) opening (8), limited by the upper edge of the inner wall (5). The said opening (8) is located above the level of the bottom (7), but below the upper edge of the outer annular wall (4). In other words, the inner annular wall (5), which determines the position of the discharge opening (8), has a height less than the outer annular wall (4). In the upper part of the inner annular wall (5), an extension (6) in the form of a neck (see Fig. 3) can be made, which additionally prevents the release of metal particles from the tank. On the bottom (7) of the tank (1), on the inside, annular grooves (12) (see Fig. 6) can be made to retain the settled metal particles (gold). A drain (17) for water from the flushing tank (1) can be made in the outer wall of the bottom (7).

[032] Various connecting elements can be used to connect the container to the orbital shaker (3). In particular, a fixing annular groove (11) (Fig. 5) can be made on the bottom (7) of the container (1) on the outer (lower) side, and a transition ring (not shown in the figures) is inserted into said groove, which is fixed in the platform of the orbital shaker (3).

[033] The cover (2) is placed inside the washing tank (1) on the inner annular support projection (10) of the outer wall (4), which is preferably placed above its middle part. The cover (2) comprises a circular horizontal base (13), laid on the projection (10), as well as a cylindrical wall (15) extending downwards from the base. The wall of the lid (15) is located between the inner (5) and outer (4) walls of the container (1), wherein its lower edge is located no higher than the upper edge of the inner wall (8) (i.e. no higher than the discharge opening (5). Thus, the wall (15) of the lid divides the working space (9) of the container into an outer contour (9a) and an inner contour (9b), connected according to the principle of communicating vessels. In the base of the lid (13), openings (14) are made for feeding the initial material (pulp) into the outer contour (9a) of the working space (9) of the container. In particular, said openings (14) can be formed by segmental (semicircular) cutouts made along the edge of the base (13) along the entire perimeter of the lid (see Figs. 7, 9, 10). In the upper part of the wall (15), openings (16) are made for releasing air.

[034] An orbital shaker may be a standard device that includes a base (frame), a horizontal platform connected to the frame by hangers or eccentric stands, a vibration motor, and a motor for moving the platform along a circular path.

[035] The vibration concentrator works as follows.

[036] Before the start of washing, the washing tank of the concentrator is set in motion by the orbital shaker (3). Then water is fed into the tank (1). After the bowl is filled with water and a stable flow is formed in it, the vibration motor is turned on. The initial material (concentrate, sand, ore particles) is fed into the upper part of the device, limited by the outer wall (4) of the tank (1) and the base (13) of the cover (2). The material with water through the openings (14) of the base (13) enters the outer contour (9a) of the working space (9) of the tank (1), and due to the orbital movement, swirls in the flow inside the tank (1). Then the flow through the space between the bottom (7) of the tank (1) and the wall (15) of the cover (2) enters the inner contour (9b), rises, flows over the inner wall (5) and is removed through the discharge opening (8).

[037] When in the water flow, the densest and smallest particles of the material (i.e. metal particles) end up at the bottom of the tank and, due to the orbital rotation of the tank along the bottom, are displaced toward the center of the tank, i.e. toward the inner wall (5). The discharge opening (8), located above the bottom level (7), prevents metal particles from leaving the tank. The expansion (6) (neck) on the inner wall (5), if present, additionally prevents metal particles from passing into the discharge opening (8). Together with the water flow, only mineral material (sand, ore particles, etc.), which is inferior to metals (gold) in density, exits through the opening (8). In the case of using annular grooves (12) on the bottom (7), they additionally prevent metal particles from moving.

[038] When the device is operating, water may not be supplied to the tank (1), but the separation process continues. The material is supplied to the outer wall, where it is mixed and washed. Metal particles settle to the bottom and move toward the center of the tank. A smooth decrease in the speed of the water flow inside the tank occurs due to a decrease in the radius, which leads to a moment when the water can no longer move the gold particle. At this stage, the friction force and the force of the water flow acting on the material are balanced, which helps sort the particles by size and density. Less dense particles continue to move, located above the gold). The lightest particles, remaining in motion, go into the drain when water is added.

[039] The wall (15) of the lid prevents metal (gold) particles that have not had time to be wetted by water from floating toward the outlet (8). The wall (15) also equalizes the water pressure around the inner wall (5). Thus, when the container (1) is rotated by the orbital shaker (3), excess pressure is created at the outer wall (4), and a vacuum is created at the inner wall (5), which causes the material to move faster toward the central zone. The wall (15) reduces the speed of this movement due to the effect of communicating vessels, allowing for better separation of materials in the water flow based on their density. When a swirling flow is formed in the outer circuit (9a), dense particles settle to the bottom, without being carried away by the water flow toward the center of the container. Thus, the use of the wall (15) allows for faster distribution of particles by density and size than in the case of the device operating without a lid.

[040] An example of the device implementation is disclosed below.

[041] A vibration concentrator comprising a washing tank (bowl) with an outer wall diameter (4) of 42 cm, an inner wall diameter (5) of 11 cm, an outer wall height (4) of 26 cm, and an inner wall height (5) of 5 cm. The lid (2) is placed inside the tank (1) at a height of 16 cm from the bottom, the height of the wall (15) of the lid is 12 cm. The tank (1) is secured to the platform of an orbital shaker with the possibility of orbital rotation with an orbit diameter of 32 mm and a frequency of 65 rpm. The capacity of the device is 500 kilograms or 200 liters of concentrate per hour.

[042] The device was tested in Magadan for a month. Table 1 shows the results of laboratory tests for the extraction of various gold fractions for traditional devices (concentration tables), the closest analogue and the device under consideration.

[043] Table 1

Gold fraction, mm Average gold recovery, % Concentration tables The closest analogue Claimed invention -0.025+0.1 76 85±1 97±1 -0.1+0.05 48 65±1 87±1 -0.05 18 35±1 75±1

[044] The test results show that the claimed device allows for a significant reduction in the loss of small-sized metal particles - less than 0.1 mm and, in particular, less than 0.05 mm.

Claims (14)

1. An orbital vibration concentrator comprising a washing tank (1) and a means for moving the washing tank connected to it, wherein the washing tank (1) has an outer cylindrical wall (4), an inner cylindrical wall (5), a bottom (7) and a central discharge opening (8) limited by the upper edge of the inner wall (5) and located above the level of the bottom (7), but below the upper edge of the outer wall (4), characterized in that additionally comprises a cover (2) installed inside the washing tank (1) above the central discharge opening (8), the said cover (2) has a horizontal base (13) with openings (14) for feeding material into the washing tank (1), as well as a cylindrical wall (15) located below the base (13) between the outer (4) and inner (5) walls of the washing tank (1), the bottom (7) of the washing tank (1) is made horizontal, and an orbital shaker (3) is used as a means of moving the washing tank, designed with the possibility of transmitting the washing tank (1) orbital motion along a circular trajectory strictly in a horizontal plane. 2. An orbital vibration concentrator according to item 1, characterized in that the orbital shaker (3) is additionally equipped with a vibration motor. 3. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (13) of the cover (2) is made round, and the openings (14) of the base (13) of the cover (2) for feeding material into the washing tank (1) are formed by cutouts located along the edge of said base (13). 4. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (13) of the cover (2) is placed on the internal support annular projection (10) of the outer wall (4) of the washing tank (1), 5. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower edge of the wall (15) of the cover (2) is located no higher than the upper edge of the inner wall (5) of the washing tank (1). 6. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that holes (16) for the release or inflow of air are made in the wall (15) of the cover (2). 7. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall (5) in the upper part has an extension (6) forming a drain neck. 8. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (7) of the washing tank (1) has annular grooves (12) on the inside. 9. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (7) of the washing tank (1) has a fixing annular groove (11) on the outside for connecting the washing tank (1) to the orbital shaker (3). 10. An orbital vibration concentrator according to claim 1, characterized in that a drain (17) for water from the washing tank (1) is made in the outer wall (5) of the bottom (7).