US2361927A - Concentrator - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 7, 1944. 5, uc 2,361,927

CONCENTRATOR Filed Oct. 29, 1942 {Sheets-Sheet 1 52 a a: a

Aft

Nov. 7, '1944.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IITTK Nov. 7, 1944. R. s. BUCKMAN CONCENTRATOR Filed Oct. 29, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'j'n v @1111 r R. 5. Buck ma :4 r

Patented Nov. 7, 1944 CONCENTRATOR Ronald Sydney Buckman, Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada, assignor to The Consolidated Mining and smelting Company of Canada, Limited, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a company of Canada Application October 29, 1942, Serial No. 463,842

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for concentrating and separately recovering the heavier ingredients or values of an ore pulp.

-In the treatment of mineral ores for the separation and recovery of the metal values therefrom, concentrating apparatus is commonly used by means of which the heavier ingredients or values in an ore pulp are separated from the lighter gangue material or tailings. Concentrating apparatus may comprise a plurality of superposed decks or tables tiltably mounted in a frame. Ore pulp is fed to the decks at one end thereof for a period of time, during which the heavy ingredients or values are retained on the decks and the lighter gangue material or tailings pass over the decks and are discharged from the opposite ends thereof. At the termination of the feeding period, the decks are tilted at a relatively sharp vertical angle and the values are washed therefrom with water and separately collected.

Oneof the difficulties in the operation of existing concentrating apparatus is the tendency of the heavier ingredients or values contained in the ore pulp to settle out during the time interval the decks are in concentrates discharging position and the flow of ore pulp thereto is stopped. As a result, the ore pulp fed to the decks is not of uniform consistency and this lack of uniformity has an adverse effect on the concentrating efliciency and the rate of treatment of the ore pulp is affected accordingly.

One ofthe principal objects of the presentinvention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby the ore pulp is continuously circulated at a substantially uniform rate of flow from a source of supply through a distributor vessel in communication with one or more concentrator units. During the period the decks of the concentrator unit are in .their concentrates discharging position, the ore pulp passing through the distributor vessel is returned to the source of supply without restriction of the rate of flow, whereby the heavier ingredients or values are given no opportunity to settle out and the ore pulp is constantly of a substantially uniform consistency and can be fed to the tables at a uniform rate with high concentrating efliciency.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a concentrator unit, which -is synchronized with the distribution of the pulp feed from a centrally located distributor vessel by means of which a plurality of concentrator units can be operated in multiple from a single driving unit, each unit receiving the same volume of ore pulp of uniform consistency and the pulp feeding and concentrates. discharging periods being predeterminable to treat the maximum volume of ore pulp and to obtain the maximum concentrating efficiency therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ore pulp distributor vessel in which the continuous flow of Ore pulp therethrough and its distribution to the respective concentrator units therefrom and the return of a portion of the ore pulp to the source of supply are effected by a relatively simple arrangement of parts.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide, in co-operation with the distributor vessel, a relatively simple deflector element which collects, in sequence, the portion of the ore pulp flowing to each concentrator unit during the time interval that unit is in concentrates discharging position, and returns that portion of the ore pulp without interruption to the source of supply from which ore pulp is returned to the distributor vessel without restriction in the rate of circulation.

The objects of the invention are attained by continuously circulating an ore pulp at a substantially uniiorm' rate through a distributor vessel in communication with one or more concentrator units. The ore pulp is passed to each concentrator unit for a predetermined time interval at the termination of which it is deflected from each unit, in sequence, for a further predetermined time interval. The. deflected ore'pulp is returned to the distributor vessel without restriction in the rate of flow into or from the distributor vessel.

The apparatus involved in the present invention includes a vertically disposed distributor vessel having a plurality of open outlets in the bottom thereof, each open outlet being in communication with a concentrator unit. Ore pulp is fed into the distributor vessel and is discharged from the vessel through the said open outlets at a substantially uniform rate of flow. Rotating'means are provided below the open outlets for diverting in sequence the ore pulp feed passing through each of. the said outlets and -means are provided forcontinuously returning Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the concentrator units incorporating the improvements of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional front elevation of a series of concentrator units;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevation of the distributor;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the ore pulp distributor;

Figure 5 is a top plan view taken along the line 5-5, Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of a concentrator unit actuating arrangement; and

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blanket material used on the decks of each concentrator unit.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

The multiple unit concentrator of the present invention comprises, in general, a centrally located distributo into which ore pulp of substantially uniform consistency is constantly fed and from which it is continuously discharged at a relatively uniform rate of speed at which the settling out of the heavier ingredients or metal values is substantially avoided: a plurality of concentrator units fed from the distributor; and actuating mechanism for each concentrator unit synchronized with the distribution of the ore pulp in such a manner that ore pulp is fed to each unit for a predetermined period of time andat the termination of which the decks of each unit are tilted to concentrates discharging position for a predetermined period of time, during which latter period the orepulp feed to each unit in which the decks are in concentrates discharging position is diverted and returned to a sump without change in the normal rate of ore pulp circulation.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the ore pulp feed flowing through the launder 3| is received in the sump 32 from which it is pumped, by a pump 33, through pipe line 33a into a distributor 80 which is located above and centrally of the series of concentrator units. The ore pulp flows by gravity from distributor B0 to the respective concentrator units.

The distributor 80 is formed with a series of openings 8| spaced around the periphery of the lower end thereof. An annular trough 95 surrounds the lower end of the distributor. The trough 95 is provided with outlet spouts 35, spaced preferably at equal intervals around the periphery of the bottom. The. number of spouts 35 corresponds to the number of concentrator units fed from the distributor. An outlet opening BI is preferably'formed in the wall of the distributor immediately above each spout 35.

A hopper 36, in which is collected the ore pulp feed to each concentrator unit, is located below each spout 35. Each hopper 36 is provided with an outlet pipe 31 which feeds the pulp into a drum 38, from which it is'fed into the. deck feed boxes 40 through the feed lines 39.

A housing 34 encloses the distributor 80, the trough 95 and the hoppers 36. The outlet pipes 31 extendthrtiugh the wall of the housing 34.

A driven shaft 4| enclosed in casing 42, is verasonozw The shaft 45 is driven from the motor 46 mounted on the top of the housing 34 through a chain or V-belt drive 41 which extends to the motor pulley 48.

An open-top, sector-shaped deflector 49 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft below the bottom of the distributor 80, being interposed between the spouts 35 and the feed hoppers 36. The deflector 49 is rotatable with the shaft 4|.

.The deflector 49 is preferably of sector shape through into the line 5| through which the ore pulp is returned to the sump.

Each concentrator unit comprises a plurality of superposed, tiltable decks mounted in a frame. For the 'purpose of illustrating the ore pulp feeding and concentrates discharging positions of the decks, two units are illustrated in Figure 1, the decks in the unit indicated bythe numeral I being shown in the concentrates washing and discharging position and the decks in the unit indicated by the numeral 2 being shown in pulp feeding and tailings discharging position.

Each unit comprises a plurality of superposed decks or tables 3 mounted in a frame. A standard or column 4 extends from the bottom to the top of the frame. A pivotal bar 5, located preferably centrally of the longitudinal axis of each deck, extends transversely across the underside of the deck. Each deck is carried on and movable with its pivotal bar 5. Each pivotal bar 5 is pivotably secured to the standard 4.

The decks 3 of each unit are moved to their respective pulp feeding and concentrates discharging positions by a lever B, one end of which is pivotably secured to the block 8 mounted on the top of the frame, and the opposite end of which is connected to the rod III which extends downwardly into the frame. A crank I extends from the rod ID to each pivotal bar 5. A cam follower I2 is mounted on the lever 8, between the block 9 and the rod I0. Cam follower I2 is in constant engagement with the periphery of cam |3 which is mounted on and rotatable with cam shaft 4. Cam 3 is designed with an outwardly extending projection |3a which extends a predetermined distance around its periphery.

The water system comprises a spray pipe 14 which extends transversely across the end of each deck remote from the ore pulp feed and concentrates discharge end. Each spray pipe 14 is connected, by means of a branch line 13, to the main distribution line or header 12. A valve 1|, preferably of the plunger-operated, quick-opening, spring-closed type is interposed between the water supply line 10 and the distribution line or header 12,

The valve H is opened by a projection 16 extending outwardly from the periphery of cam 15. Cam 15 is mounted on and rotatable with shaft 4 and the projection 16 is designed to open and to hold in open position the valve 1| for a predetermined period during each complete rotation of cam 15.

Cam shaft [4 is driven from shaft 45 through a chain 11 or other positive means.

fed to the tables with the maximum rate of feed from which a high concentrating efliciency can be realized.

As an example of the operation of the app'aratus, it may be assumed, for purposes of illustration, that a complete cycle of operations for each unit of the apparatus. can be eifected in five minutes-four minutes taken in feeding ore pulp to the tables and one minute fordischarging the concentrates from the tables. The various driving gears are, therefore, designed to drive shafts 4| and Il one complete revolution in five minutes. The projection I30 is designed to extend one-fifth of the distance around the periphery of cam ll. During the time in which cam follower I2 is in contact with projection Ha,

that is. one minute, the tables I are tilted to discharging position, washed with water, and returned to feeding position. Projection 16 on cam II is designed to actuate valve II when the .tables are in discharging position, thereby reend of the decks. Each deck is covered by a rubher-like cloth material of grid-like pattern in which the raised grids 90 extend transversely of the deck as illustrated in Figure '7. .The heavier ingredients or values of the ore pulp flowing over the decks are retained on the grid-like deck covering between the grids 90, and the lighter .ingredients, or tailings, flow downwardly over the grid lines and are discharged into tailings launder 6.

When the decks have been receiving feed for a predetermined time, the rotation of shaft 4| brings the deflector under the spout 3i, and the feed to that particular unit is shut ofl. The decks of that particular unit are then tilted to their concentrates discharging position as illustrated in Figure 1 by the position of the decks in the unit indicated by the numeral I. In this unit,

' the decks are tilted to a relatively sharp angle,

leasing a flow ofwater over the tables to wash the concentrates into concentrates launder l.

The positions of deflector 49 on shaft ll and of projections lid and It on cams l3 and 15 for example'about 48, towards the concentrates launder I by the actionof cam follower l2 rising on projection I 3a which raises lever B. When the decks are tilted, projection I6 actuates valve 1| into open position and the flowof water to the spray pipes 14 washes the concentrates from the decks 3 into the concentrates launder 1. 0n completion of the washing and discharging period, as terminated by the further rotation'of the cams I5 and 13, the decks are returned to their feeding position and the flow of pulp to the decks is resumed by further rotation of shaft ll which carries deflector 49 clear of the spout 35.

An apparatus comprising five concentrator units with a period of five minutes to effect a respectively are so arranged, in the operation of a particular concentrator unit, that when the deflector moves under spout 35, thereby shutting off the flow of material to hopper 36 and diverting that portion of the feed to the sump 32. the lever I is raised by the action of cam follower I2 contacting projection l3a. and, when the tables have been tilted to discharging position, valve H is opened by the action of projection 16 coming into contact with the valve openin plunger.

During the period that the flow of ore pulp to a unit is shut off, there is no decrease in the volume of ore pulp flowing through the distributor; that portion of the ore pulp which would otherwise be fed to the unitwhich is shut off, is

diverted, by the deflector, to the feed sump, from which the ore pulp is pumped to the distributor vessel 80. By maintaining the'circulation ofv a constant volume or ore pulp through the distribcomplete cycle of operations will serve todllustrate an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the distributor is equipped with five outlet spouts, each supplying feed to a correspondingconcentrator unit. The rotation of the deflector is regulated. to complete one rotation in five minutes. As it rotates, the deflector diverts the flow from each spout, in turn, fOr one minute. During the one-minute interval that the feed to a concentrator unit is shut ofl, the decks of that unit are tilted, washed, and returned to feeding position. When the deflector has completed one rotation, each of the five units, in turn, will have been discharged. At any one period of the cycle. four concentrator units will be receiving feed and one unit will be discharging concentrates. each unit discharging, in sequence, once every five minutes.

The apparatus has been described with reference to five concentrator units and a distributor utor; no opportunity is afforded for any of the ingredients of the pulp to segregate or settle in any part of the distributor unit. When the feed is cut oil? from a concentrator unit, the remaining feed material in the'hopper, drum and feed lines of the unit, drains onto the concentrator decks by gravity. As there is no accumulation of pulp in any part of the distributor system, a feed of uniform consistency is supplied to the concentrator decks, and difficulties dueto plugging of pipe lines and conduits are avoided.

The cycle of the operation of the apparatus may be considered as commencing with the decks example. a series of ten concentrator units may be su plied from 'a 'distributor which has two deflectors: in this case, there would always be in feeding position, as illustrated in Figure 1 by the unit indicated by the numeral 2. In this position, a feed box 4. is located to distribute ore pulp substantially uniformly across the width of one end of each deck. The periphery of cam II is designed to cause lever B to hold the tables at a slight downward angle towards the opposite two units discharging concentrates while eight units are receiving feed.

The time required for a complete cycle may be varied with the rate of circulation of the ore pulp. the volume of pulp to be treated and the l composition of the pulp. The feeding and con-- cent-rates discharge periods are determined to give the maximum concentrating efilciency and the mechanism of the apparatus is adjusted accordingly.

It has been found that the present apparatus is particularly adaptable for the concentration of values in a finely divided ore pulp. The contlnuous circulation of the ore pulp during the complete cycle of operations prevents any settling out of the heavier ingredients or values in any part of the system and ensures a substantially uniform rate of feed of ore pulp of uniform consistency to the concentrating tables which permits a rapid rate of treatment with high concentrating efliciency. The timing of each operation is positive in its action and can be controlled precisely to attain the most satisfactory results. In addition, a number of units can be driven from a single driving and distributing arrangement and the various operations of each unit positively controlled to attain the maximum results without interference with the sequence of operations of any of the other units.

The distributor device of the present invention can be incorporated into apparatus other than the concentrator units described and illustrated herein. It can be used effectively with other .forms of apparatus where a slurry or ore pulp is to be divided into several equal streams. such as for supplying feed to a series of filters or centrifuges. These and other embodiments of the invention may become apparent to others skilled in the art in the light of the teachings herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' feed hopper below each open outlet to feed ore pulp to the decks of a concentrator unit in communication therewith, and constantly rotating means between said open outlets and said feed hoppers for interrupting in sequence the flow of feed to each feed hopper, and'means for tilting the decks of each concentrator unit to a discharging position during the interval the feed thereto is interrupted and for returning said decks to a feed receiving position at the termition of said interval.

2. A concentratorapparatus comprising a plurality of concentrator units, each unit comprising a frame having superposed decks tiltable in a vertical plane mounted therein, a centrallylocated vertically-disposed feed distributor having a plurality of open outlets in the bottom thereof, the number of open outlets. corresponding to the number of concentrator units in said apparatus, means for continuously feeding ore pulp from a source of supply into said feed distributor, a feed hopper below each open outlet to feed ore pulp to the decks of a concentrator unit in communication therewith, and constantly rotating means between said open, outlets and said feed hoppers for diverting from each ofsaid feedhoppers in sequence the feed flowing through each of said open outlets, and means synchronized with said rotating means for holdingthe decks of each unit in a feed receiving position during the period of communication between the feed hopper thereof and the feed distributor and for tilting the'decks of each unit to a discharging position duringthe period the.

rotating means interrupts communication between the feed hopper thereof and the feed distributor. a

3. A concentrator apparatus comprising a plurality of concentrator units, each unit comprising a frame having superposed decks tiltable in a. vertical plane mounted therein, a centrallylocated, vertically-disposed feed distributor having a plurality of open outlets in the bottom thereof, the number of open outlets corresponding to the number of concentrator units included in said apparatus, means for continuously feeding ore pulp from a source of supply into said feed distributor, a feed hopper below each open outlet to feed ore pulp to the decks of a concentrator unit in communication therewith, a vertical rotatable shaft extending through said distributor, a sector-shaped deflector element mounted on said shaft below said open outlets, said deflector element passing under each of said open outlets in sequence during the rotation of said shaft, and a rotatable cam shaft synchronized with the rotation of said rotatable shaft, and a cam mounted on said cam shaft, and lever means actuated by said cam for moving said decks to their pulp feeding and concentrates discharging positions.

4. Apparatus for the treatment of ore pulp and the like which comprises a feed distributor distributor having a plurality of open outlets in the bottom thereof, each open outlet being in communication with an intermittently charged concentrator unit, means for continuously feeding ore pulp from a source of supply into said feed distributor, and rotating means for diverting in sequence the feed passing through each of said outlets and means for continuously returning said diverted pulp feed to said feed distributor through said source of supply, whereby continuous circulation of the diverted portions of the feed material is maintained.

6. In a mechanical ore concentrator, a vertically disposed feed distributor having a plurality of open outlets in the bottom thereof, each open outlet being in communication with an intermittently charged concentrator unit, means for continuously feeding ore pulp from a source of supply into said feed distributor, a vertical rotatable shaft extending through said feed distributor, a sector-shaped deflector element mounted on said shaft below said open outlets, said defiector element passing under each of said open outlets in sequence during the rotationof said shaft, and means communicating with said deflector element for continuously returning de- 7. A concentrator apparatus comprising a concentrator unit, the concentrator unit comprising a frame having at least one deck tiltable in a vertical plane mounted therein, a vertically disposed feed distributor having an open outlet in the bottom thereof, means for continuously open outlet to feed ore pulp to the decks of the concentrator unit, and constantly rotating means between the open outlet and the feed hopper for interrupting the flow of feed to said feed hop er, and means for tilting the decks to a discharging position during the interval the feed thereto is interrupted and for returning the decks to a feed receiving, position at the termip of open outlets corresponding to the number of concentrator units in said apparatus, means for continuously feeding ore pulp from a source of supply into said feed distributor, a feed hopper below each open outlet to feed ore pulp to the decks of a concentrator unit in communication therewith, and constantly rotating means between said open outlets and said feed hoppers for diverting from each of said feed hoppers in sequence the feed flowing through each of said open outlets, and means synchronized with said rotating means for holding the decks of each unit in a feed receiving position during the period of communication between the feed hopper thereof and the feed distributor and for tilting the decks of each unit to a discharging position during the period the rotating means interrupts communication between the feed hopper thereof and the feed distributor, and including means for washing the decks during the period they are tilted to a discharging position, and means for separately recovering the material washed therefrom. f

. 9. In a process for concentrating the heavier ingredients 'or values of an ore pulp in a plurality of intermittently charged concentrator units, the improvement which comprises the steps of continuously circulating ore pulp at a substantially uniform rate, dividing the ore pulp into a plurality of separate streams, the number of streams corresponding to the number of concentrator units, distributing each stream to its respective concentrator unit for a predeter' .mined time interval, diverting the'streams, in

sequence, from their respective concentrator units for a predetermined time interval, and returning each diverted stream to the continuously circulating ore pulp for distribution there- RONALD SYDNEY BUCKMAN.

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