CA1225967A - Trolley conveyed vertical plane multi zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator - Google Patents
Trolley conveyed vertical plane multi zoned high intensity wet magnetic separatorInfo
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- CA1225967A CA1225967A CA000446123A CA446123A CA1225967A CA 1225967 A CA1225967 A CA 1225967A CA 000446123 A CA000446123 A CA 000446123A CA 446123 A CA446123 A CA 446123A CA 1225967 A CA1225967 A CA 1225967A
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE :
An improved, high intensity wet magnetic separator comprising an endless train of unconnected wheeled cars carrying magnetizable partitions, the cars travelling along a vertically extending, loop-forming track. During a portion of the path of travel along the track, the cars pass through a magnetic field and have a mixture of magnetic and non-magnetic material in water passed relative to their magnetizable partitions so that the magnetics adhere to the partitions and the non-magnetics pass through the cars into a collector. On exiting the magnetic field, the partitions are scoured such as by a fluid stream to cause the magnetic material to be collected. The concept of introducing coarse material and then relatively finer mate-rial in such a separator is also considered.
An improved, high intensity wet magnetic separator comprising an endless train of unconnected wheeled cars carrying magnetizable partitions, the cars travelling along a vertically extending, loop-forming track. During a portion of the path of travel along the track, the cars pass through a magnetic field and have a mixture of magnetic and non-magnetic material in water passed relative to their magnetizable partitions so that the magnetics adhere to the partitions and the non-magnetics pass through the cars into a collector. On exiting the magnetic field, the partitions are scoured such as by a fluid stream to cause the magnetic material to be collected. The concept of introducing coarse material and then relatively finer mate-rial in such a separator is also considered.
Description
~ Z2sg67 The present invention relates to an improved, multi-zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator, for use in separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic or paramagnetic materials contained in mineral ores or similar industrial crude products.
High intensity wet magnetic separators capable of separating magnetic materials from impurities contamina~
ting a magnetic mineral ore or removing magnetic contaimina-tes from a non-magnetic mineral ore are known machines that are industrially used throughout the world. All ~ own machines that have been developped up to now are wor~ing substantially in the same manner. Basically, they all com-prise a plurality of partitioned matrices mounted on a non-magnetic rotor which is moving between the poles of at least one powerf~l stationary electro-magnet defining a magnetic zone. The mineral materials to be separated are introduced in the form of a slurry of ground particles into the matrices at the leading edge of the magnetic zone. The magnetically susceptible particles are attracted and held in contact against the internal partitions of the matrices whilst most of the non magnetic particles discharge vertically after per-colating through the matrices. As the matrices rotate along the magnetic zone, the particles retained onto the internal pa~itions may be subjected to low pressure water jets to remo-ve the paramagnetic materials having a very low magnetic sus-ceptibility from the magnetic materials, and to collect separately these paramagnetic materials a~ a middllng. At the end of the magnetic zone, the magnetic minerals are finally discharged from the matrices with the assistance of a high pressure water jet. Canadian patent No. 717,830 issued on September 14, 1965 in the name of Georges H. Jones is parti-cularly illustrative of this method of separation and kind of separator.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved separator of the above mentioned type, which is much simpler in structure and less expansive to manufact~ure, ~. ~.
and which can be scaled up in size far beyong most of the known separators presently available.
More particularly, the object of the present in-vention is to provide an improved, multi-zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator for use in separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic or paramagnetic mate-rials in a slurry of ground particles, of the type comprising:
- a plurality of partitioned hollow matrices;
- means for creating a high intensity magnetic fieldinat least two zones hereinafter referred to as magnetic zones)>;
- means for moving the partitioned matrices through the magnetic zones;
- means for delivering a slurry of particles to be separated into each of the matrices when they are in each of the magnetic zones;
- means for collecting the portion of the slurry having passed through the matrices while they still are in the magnetic zones;
- means for delivering a scouring fluid into each of the matrices when they get out of each of the magne-tic zones to remove from these matrices all the magnetic materials having adhered thereto in the zones, and - means for collecting this scouring fluid together ~S with the magnetic materials.
In accordance with the invention, this multi-zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator is characterized in that:
- its partitioned matrices are incorporated into a plurality of unconnected, four-wheeled cars, each of these cars being open at both top and bottom and capable of being fed in either way;
- the four-wheeled cars form together an endless train travelling along a vertically extending loop-forming track mounted on a supporting frame;
1;2Z5967 - the track comprises two horizontal lengths of rails located at different elevations one above the other, the lower length of rails of this track having upwardly curving ends;
- each of the horizontal lengths of rails is positioned to pass the four-wheeled cars rolling thereon through at least one of the magnetic zones;
- a set of car transferring means is mounted on the supporting frame in cooperative relationship with respect to the upper and lower lengths of rails to ensure transfer of the unconnected cars from one length of rails to the other and vice versa, one of these transferring means being positioned to lift 'che unconnected cars from the lower length up to the upper length of rails while the other is positioned both to control fall of the cars by gravity from the upper length down to the lower length and to reverse the same during their fall;
- the one transferring means positioned to lift the unconnected cars comprises at least one sprocket wheel having teeth capable of engaging rollers provided onto each of the unconnected cars, the upwardly curving ends of the lower length of rails being located adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel to prevent the rollers of the cars from falling out:of said sprocket wheel when the same are lifted up; and - the endless train of unconnected cars is propelled in a continuous manner along its track by means of a motor driving the at least one sprocket wheel, each of the cars engaged and propelled by this at least one motorized sprocket wheel pushing the other cars along the track.
As can be understood, the physical arrangement of the travelling cars mechanism of the separator according to the invention is very similar to the large travelling grate pelletizing and sinter machines presently used in the mineral dressing and iron making industries.
A major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it is very simple in structure and maintenance. In particular, the maintainance o the partitioned hollow matrices that is rather delicate and time consumming in the known separators, is substantially facili-tated in the separator according to the invention, since each cax travelling along the look-forming track is unconnec-ted and can be easily removed and replaced by another one.
Another major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it can be scaled up to any desired size.
A further major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it may incorporate two different types of magnetic circuits thereby improving the recovery yield and efficiency of the machine.
The invention and its numerous advantages will be better understood with reference to the following descrip-tion of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
fig. l is a perspective view of a high intensity wet magnetic separator according to the inventlon;
fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the separator shown in fig. l;
fig. 3 is a front elevational view in cross-section of the separator shown in figs. l and 2;
fig. 4 is a perspective view of a travelling car - for use in the separator of figs. 1 to 3, with part of its walls cut away to show greater details of its internal structure; and fig. 5 appearing on the same sheet of drawings as ~ig. 2 is a front elevational view in cross-section of a travelling car passing through a high intensity magnetic zone.
The high intensity wet magnetic separator l according to the invention as shown in the drawings, compri-ses a supporting frame 3 constructed with a plurality of I-shaped beam sections 5 connected to each other in any conventional manner. The frame 3 supports a loop-forming .
1~2S96~
track 7 comprising two horizontal lengths oE rails 9 and ll mounted at different elevations one above the other.
A plurali~y of unconnected, four-wheeled cars 13 opened at both top and bottom and capable of being fed in either way are movingly mounted onto the track 7 to form an endless train capable of rolling onto the rails 9 and 11.
The frame 3 also support car transferring means 15 and 17 mounted in cooperative relationship with respect ':
to the upper and lower lengths of rails 9 and 11 to ensure transfer of the unconnected cars 13 from one length of rails to the other and vice versa. One of these car transferring means, namely the one numbered 15, is positioned at one end of the frame 3 to lift the unconnected cars 13 from the lower length of rails 11 up to the upper length of rails 9 while the other one numbered 17 is positioned at the other end of the frame both to control fall of the cars 3 by gravity from the upper length of rails 9 down to the lower length of rails:ll, while:simultaneously reversing the same during their fall.
The car transferring means 15 used to lift the unconnected cars 13 comprises two large sprocket wheels 19 rigidly mounted on a same shaft 21. Both wheels 19 have a diameter substantially equal to the height between the rails 9 and 11. They are positioned so that the rails 9 and ll extend tangentially therefrom, and they have teeth 23 capable of engaging rollers 25 provided on each of the unconnected cars 13 when these cars reach the ends of the rails 11. To prevent the rollers of the cars lifted up from alling out of the sprocket wheels 19 when the same are rotating upwardly, the ends 25 of the rails 11 forming the lower length of rails are upwardly curved to follow the periphery of at least the,outer lower ~uadrant of the wheels 19, as shown in fig. 1.
The endless train of unconnected cars 13 is propel-led in a continuous manner along the track 7 by means of a motor 26 connected to the shaft 21 of wheels l9. As can be ~ ~ .
easily understood, each of the cars 13 lifted up by the wheels 19 is forced to push the other cars along the track 6 to find room when it reaches the upper length of rails 9. This pushing occurs permanently when the motor is operated and is sufficient to propel all the car~ along the track.
The other car transferring means 17 at the other end end of the frame may be identical to the means 15, except that its sprocket wheels do not have to be operated by a motor.
Alternatively, it may consist of a mere set of parallel~
semi-circular wheel,guiding rails joining the upper length to the lower one, for guiding the cars 13 downwardly as they fall down.
In accordance with the invention, each length of rails is positioned to pass the four-wheeled carsare rolling thereon through at least one magnetic zone where a high intensity andJor high gradien;t magnetic field is created by suitable means. As shown in the drawings, the upper length of rails 9 pass through one magnetic zone 27 while the lower length of rails 11 pass through another magnetic zone 29 preferably longitudinally offset relative to the other one in the frame 3 supporting the track 7 to give more room to the various delivering and collecting means provided in each zone. If desired, each length of rails may pass through more than one magnetic zone to increase the capacity of the separator, provided that the frame 3 be scaled up to accomodate all of these zones.
Means 31, 31' and 33, 33' are provided for delive-ring a slurry of ground particles of material to be magneti-cally separated into each of the partitioned cars 13 as soon as they enter each of the magnetic zones 27 and 29, respec-tively. Means 35 and 37 are also provided for collecting the portion of the delivered slurry passing through parti-tioned cars while they still are in the maynetic zones 27 and 29 respectively.
These means 35 and 37 may consist of troughs made of a non-magnetic material such as polyethylene or fiberglass, -lL2ZS967 which troughs are positioned below the rails between the same, as shown in Fig. 5.
Means'39 and 41 are also provided for delivering' a scouring fluid such as high pressure water into each of the cars 13 when they get out of each of the magnetic zones to remove from all these partitione'd cars 13 all the magnetic material having adhered thereto while they were in the magne-tic zones 27 and 29. Of course, means 43 and ~5 also in the form of troughs are additionally provided under the rails 9 and 11 for collecting this scouring fluid together with the magnetic materials.
Advantageously, means 47 and 49 may further be provided for delivering a washing fluid such as low pressuri-zed water into each of the cars 13 while they are still in the magnetic zones 27 and 29.respectively to wash the magnetic materials adhering to the partitions of the cars before these cars qet out of the zones and the magnetic materials are scoured by the high~. pressure water fed by the delivering means 39 and 41. Of course, means 51 and 53 are in this case provided under the rails 9 and 11 for collecting.the washing fluid together with the washed materials, as middlings.
In use, the high intensity or high gradient magnetic field generated by means of an adjustable electroma-gnet in each magnetic zone 27 or 29 causes the parti-2S tions extending inside every car to become electromagneticby induction. The so inducted paritions of each car concen-trate the magnetic field across the pa th of the mineral ore to be treated, which ore is delivered by pipes 31, 31', 33, 33' and fed through each car in the .form of a slurry of ground particles having a diameter preferably less than 1 mm. The magnetic materials cont.ained in:the^slurry attach themselves to the magnetically inducted partitions and remain fixed to these partitions as long as they are subject to the magnetic ' field while the non magnetic mateirals including the gangue or reject particles from the crude mineral ore pass through.
the cars 13 and are collected in the troughs 35 and'37. When the cars 13 get out of the magnetic zones, a high pressure 122S96~
washing and scouring water delivered by pipes 39 and 41 is applied above and through the partitions to remove the magnetic materials having adhered thereto because of the magnetic field. The magnetic materials removed by means of this scouring water are then recovered in the concentrate collection troughs 43 and 45.
As shown in Fig. 4, the unconnected cars 3 used in the separator 1 are generally rectangular in shape and each comprise a plurality of vertical partitions 61 made of a material capable of being subjected to electromagnetic induction. The cars 13 may be constructed of steel or of any other suitable material, such as fiberglass. Each car 13 also comprises four wheelS 63 externally mounted on the lateral walls of the car, to facilitate its travelling motion on the track 7 through the magnetic field created in the magnetic zones 27 and 29.
The physical dimensions of the cars 13 and the number of induction partitions contained therein are exclu-sively determined by the designed capacity of the separator.
Preferably, the length of each car is selected so as to be equal to less than half of the length of each magnetic zone. Advantageously, means (not shown) may be provided to seal the space between each car and the other cars adjacent thereto when they are pushed together along the track 7.
Guiding means 65 may advantageously be provided for laterally maintaining the cars 13 in central position when they pass through the magnetic zones and preventing them from being subjected to side thrust movement within the magnetic field. These means 65 advantageously comprises a pair of thrust plates 67 and 69 mounted on the upper and lower parts of each outer lateral wall of each car 13. The thrust plates 67 and 69 are positioned to contact and coope-rate with a double alignment of anti_friction ball-bearings 71 and 73 extending parallel to the rails of each lengths of railsj above and below the poles of the electro-magnet between which the magnetic field is created.
lZ25967 This guiding arrangement may of course be reversed with the antifriction ball-bearings mounted in the outer la-teral walls of the cars and the thrust plates mounted in thealternate position. In either arrangement, the location of the individual ball-bearings 71 and 73 in each magnetic zone must however be selected so that at any instance during travelling of each car in the magnetic field, at least three ball-bearings of each alignment are in contact with the corresponding thrust plate.
The clearance between the ball-bearings and the thrust plate mounted on the outer lateral walls of the cars 3 must be dimensioned so as to preclude the possibility of any significa~t contribution of magnetic forces laterally acting onto each car. Moreover, the guiding means 65 are advantagesouly selected so as to extend beyond the magnetic zones in both directions to lead the cars into and out of the magnetic field. As shown in fig. 5, the ball-bearings 71 and 73 can be lubrificated by graphite blocks 75 located to rub against the bearing surface. However, other petroleum or synthetic lubrifiant could also be suitably used for this purpose.
The induction partitions 61 of each car 13 verti-cally extend inside the car in a direction perpendicular to the general direction of the magnetic field. These partitions 61 can be made in several forms from various materials, pro-vided that these materials have a high resistance to corro-sion and abrasion and are capable of conducting a magnetic field. These partitions can be produced by an injection molding techni~ue, using a polymer composition impregnated with ferric iron particles to give the desired magnetic pro-perties to the resulting partitions. A-thin perforated plate of steel or iron may advantageously be introduced into the mold before injecting the plastic materials, to stiffen the resulting partition. The use of such polymer-made partition substantially reduces the replacement cost. Moreover, such a partition weights approximatively one third of the weight _ g _ - 122596~7 of a conventional partition, thereby allowing machine construction with lighter supporting frame sections.
~ lternatively, the partitions 61 can be manufac-tured using thin steel sheets welded back to back in parallel relationship. Each sheet which may have a thickness of about 1.5 mm,is advantageously punched in a dye prior to being welded, so as to be formed with a plurality of vertically extending corrugations. Every pair of corruga-ted sheets of desired size is assembled to form one partition, by placing the sheets back face to back face and welding together their edges using an induction welding technique.The size of each sheet and the control parameters of the induction welding technique can be selected to give all the desired properties and the required shape and size to the requested induction partitions.
It should be noted that this particular method of construction is particularly interesting in that the result-ing partitions are made from a lesser amount of material than the conventional partitions This method can be easily automatized for macs production, with the accompanying manufacture savings. It should also be noted that the above described types of partitions especially designed for use in the separator according to the invention, may also be used in any other similar separator, where matrices with consummable, ~5 replaceable induction partitions are used.
The above mentioned partitions are mounted at pre-determined spacing within each car. When the partitions are corrugated, they are advantageously mounted so that the respective corrugations of each pair of adjacent sheets are opposite,with an air gap left between their grooves and peaks. The selection of the air gap width depends on the type and size to the particles of mineral being processed through the separator. Preferably, the corrugated partitions nominal dimension will be 200 mm high by 300 mm long.
However, the size and number of partitions per car may be varied according to the desired processing capacity of the separator.
;, -- 10 --~22sg~7 Means can be provided to remove tramp and over-sized particles contained in the slurry delivered into each car in at least one of the magnetic zones. These means may consist of an hinged screen 77 fitting over the top of each car for collecting the tramp or oversized particles contained in the slurry delivered by the pipes 31 and 31'.
The screen 77 will arrest the coarse particles and tramp that could block the partitions openings and air-gap. The screen 77 will also swing free from the top of the car and will hang loose in non-intervening position when the car is reversed and rolls on the lower length of rails.
As aforesaid, the travelling cars 13 are propelled in a continuous manner along the track by a pair of driving sprocket wheels 19 mounted on the same shaft 21. The rollers 25 engages by these wheels are mounted on the wheel axles of each car between the walls and wheels of the car. As shown in fig. 2, the driving sprocket wheels 19 are connect-ed via a suitable mechanical gear reduction box 79 to the motor 26. Advantageously, a torque tube (not shown) may be provided onto the shaft 21 of the car transferring means 15 to provide constant stress value on all-the driving wheels.
The motor can be an AC, variable fre~uency, variable speed motor with the required electrical swi~h gear, motor control center and rectifier, sized according to the individual machi-2S ne requirement. Other type of AC of DC drive motor couldalso be used.
Advantageously, means may be provided to facilitate fast and easy removal of one or more cars from the track,for maintenance or replacement purposes. As shown in fig. 1, these means may consist of a hinged portion of rails 81, forming part of the upwardly curving ends-of the lower end of rails 9 in the upper outer section or quadrant of the ! sprocket wheel assembly 15. Removal of one or more cars 13 from the track 7 can then be effebted by pulling back the hinged rails 81 to open the track 7, such opening giving direct access to the cars 13.
, .The means used for creating a high intensity or high gradient magnetic field through the partitioned cars in the magnetic zones 27 and 29 may advantageously consist of electromagnets.custom made to conform with the grate design and to produce a 8,000 to 20,000 Gause magnetic field, using a 600, 415 or 230 volt electrical supply.
To create a high intensity magnetic field, use can be made of an electromagnet like the one shown in the magne-tic zone 27 of the separator 1. This electromagnet comprises a C-shaped yoke 83 constructed from laminated soft iron sheets with associated copper or aluminium coil windings 85 that can be either air or oil cooled. The yoke 83:which defines a pair of opposite poles 87 and 89 may be mounted either below or above (as shown) the corresponding length of rails 9 in such a way that the poles of electromagnet be very close to and substantially identical in size with the lateral walls of the cars 13 travelling on the rails 9, to ensure creation and passage of the desired magnetic field in a horizontal plane passing through-the cars at right angle with respect to their t~ravelling direction and to their partitions. This kind of electromagnet can be independently controlled and des:igned to locate the neutr~ axis of the magnetic field perpendicular to..the central line of the car.
All the magnetic zones of the machine may be provided with such a C-shaped yoke.electromagnet. However, in cases where a high gradient magnetic field is preferred to a high intensity one, an electromagnet assembly made of two endless coils 91 and 93 s.ymmetrically positioned-one above the ot~er with respect to the corresponding length of rails can be used, as shown in the magnetic zone 29 of the separator 1. With this-arrangement, the coils are fitted around the travelling cars 13 in such a way as to pass the high gradient magnetic field vertically through the induction partitions 61 of the cars 13.
In other words7 the alignment of the polarity of the magnetic field is made in such a way as to extend lZ2S967 vertically through the partitions. As a result, the neutral axis of the magnetic field passes horizontally through the geometric center line of each partition 61, the upper part of each partition above the neutral axis forming one pole, the lower part of the partition below the neutral axis form-ing the opposite pole.
Double coil magnet assemblies of the above mentioned type can advantageously be used for separating very fine mineral values, such usually requiring a much higher magnetic field gradient than is practical or possible with a C-shaped yoke magnet.
Advantageously, means may be provided for classi-fying the ground particles of materials to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry. These classi-fying means can be a hydro-cyclone or any other type of classifying device capable of differenciating the size range of the particles.
In one embodiment of the invention, the coarse particle slurry is fed into the cars 13 in the upper magnetic zone 27 exClusively via the pipes 31 and 31', while the fine particle slurry is fed by-the pipes 33 and 33' in the same cars when they pass through the lower magnetic zone 29 exclu-sively. In this particular case, use can advantageously be made of a yoke-type magnet in the upper magnetic zone 27 and of a double coil type magnet of the lower magnetic zone 29 as shown in the drawings. Indeed, better separation is obtai-ned when the coarser faction of the slurry is fed through the high intensity magnetic field definedby the yoke-type magnet while the finer faction of the slurry is fed through the high 3~ gradient magnetic field defined bythe double endless coil type magnet. ~ ~
In another embodiment of the invention, both the coarse and fine particle slurries are introduced successively in each magnetic zone. Advantageously, the classified coarse particle slurry is first introduced in the cars 13 via the pipes 31 and 33. Thereafter, the fine particle slurry is :IZ25967 introduced into the same cars 13 through the pipes 31' and 33'. In this case, the coarse particles are attracted first by the induction partitions 61, thereby reducing the air gap across these partitions. Subsequently, the finer particles supplied by 31' and 33' are be attracted by the coarse particles already adhering to the partitions.
This way of proceeding is interesting in that it improves recovery the fine particle values and allows more efficient use of the magnetic circuits.
In operation,-the mineral particles on which the separator l is the most effective are those having a size ranging between one millimeter and ten microns. The crude mineral feed, in slurry form, rejected by previous concen-trator process steps, or prepared in a comminution circuit to give the necessary size content, can be thickened using a thickening hydro-cyclone or other dewatering device, to a concentration of approximately forty per cent ~40~) solids by weight. The concentration of the slurry may vary according to the characteristics of the mineral being treated. The feed material is directed to a feed distri-butor, to be proportioned to the machine according to the number of electro-magnet-circuits used with the machine.
As aforesaid, the electro-magnets used for creating the electromagnetic fields in the upper and lower lengths of rails may be identical or of different types. However, they have to be independent of each other in operation for better results, controlled variation of the magnetic field intensity and gradient in the upper and lower zones 27 and 29 permitting indeed to better complement the relative particle size, feed rate, and feed slurry concentration of the mineralS
being treated.
As aforesaid, the slurry feed containing the crude mineral is introduced on a continuous basis at the fed points 31, 31', 33 and 33 , where the cars 13 enter the magnetic field. Each feed point may incorporate a feed box mechanism as shown in fig. 5 to promote low velocity dispersal of the "'''' ' .
~a225967 slurry over the full width of the induction partitions 61.
As also aforesaid, the troughs located underneath the travelling cars 16 are arranged to collect the various separated mineral factions. The first troughs 35 and 37 located immediately beneath the stationary electro-magnets, collect the reject or tailings material from the slurry.
This material is normally rejected as waste. The second troughs 51 and 53 located under and towards the end of the electro-magnets, collect a middlings faction, containing some mineral values. This faction is generated by the introduction of the low pressure washingwater over and through the induction partitionsin the last parts of the magnetic zones. The low pressure washing water serves to dislodge very feebly magnetic and therefore material of questionable value, from between the plates. This material is normally recycled through the machine with the new feed, or is removed from the cycle for further treatment using a different process. As the cars 13 leave the stationary magnetic fields, a high pressure scouring water is introduced from above, through the induction partition, in a similar manner as the feed and low pressure wash water was introduced. The high pressure water passes between the induction partitions moving the concentrate particles downward, into the third troughs 43 and 45 located beneath the cars. The so collected concentrate product is then directed, if required, for Eurther quality improvement, to a second stage separator or other process cycle. Alternately,it can be directed to a filter or to another type of dewatering device for inclusion with final concentrate product.
Depending on the machine capacity, multiple magne-tic field circuits can be located along a lengthened travel-ling grate machine upper length of rails. With this arrangement, an equal number of electro-magnet circuits wouId also be provided on the lower length of rails. After passing through the last upper magnetic circuit, the travelling cars 16 continue through the car transferring and reversing means 17, -'1225g~
arriving at the lower length of rails in a reversed, i.e., upside down position. The induction partition enclosures of the cars are symmetric in their construction, so that on the lower length, a cycle iclentical to the one performed on the upper length be repeated, with the slurry and wash-water being introduced from the bottom of the plate car.
After completion of the lower length of rail, the motorized drive sprockets l9 return the cars to the upper length.
The total operation mode is a continuous cycle. Induction partitions that require to be removed from the machine because of blockage between the partitions or because of partitions wear, are removed individually or in a complete car assembly. The car removal mechanism 81 located on the drive sprocket, is designed to allow rapid removal of cars and immediate substitution of a spare car element assembly, with a minimum of process interruption.
.
High intensity wet magnetic separators capable of separating magnetic materials from impurities contamina~
ting a magnetic mineral ore or removing magnetic contaimina-tes from a non-magnetic mineral ore are known machines that are industrially used throughout the world. All ~ own machines that have been developped up to now are wor~ing substantially in the same manner. Basically, they all com-prise a plurality of partitioned matrices mounted on a non-magnetic rotor which is moving between the poles of at least one powerf~l stationary electro-magnet defining a magnetic zone. The mineral materials to be separated are introduced in the form of a slurry of ground particles into the matrices at the leading edge of the magnetic zone. The magnetically susceptible particles are attracted and held in contact against the internal partitions of the matrices whilst most of the non magnetic particles discharge vertically after per-colating through the matrices. As the matrices rotate along the magnetic zone, the particles retained onto the internal pa~itions may be subjected to low pressure water jets to remo-ve the paramagnetic materials having a very low magnetic sus-ceptibility from the magnetic materials, and to collect separately these paramagnetic materials a~ a middllng. At the end of the magnetic zone, the magnetic minerals are finally discharged from the matrices with the assistance of a high pressure water jet. Canadian patent No. 717,830 issued on September 14, 1965 in the name of Georges H. Jones is parti-cularly illustrative of this method of separation and kind of separator.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved separator of the above mentioned type, which is much simpler in structure and less expansive to manufact~ure, ~. ~.
and which can be scaled up in size far beyong most of the known separators presently available.
More particularly, the object of the present in-vention is to provide an improved, multi-zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator for use in separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic or paramagnetic mate-rials in a slurry of ground particles, of the type comprising:
- a plurality of partitioned hollow matrices;
- means for creating a high intensity magnetic fieldinat least two zones hereinafter referred to as magnetic zones)>;
- means for moving the partitioned matrices through the magnetic zones;
- means for delivering a slurry of particles to be separated into each of the matrices when they are in each of the magnetic zones;
- means for collecting the portion of the slurry having passed through the matrices while they still are in the magnetic zones;
- means for delivering a scouring fluid into each of the matrices when they get out of each of the magne-tic zones to remove from these matrices all the magnetic materials having adhered thereto in the zones, and - means for collecting this scouring fluid together ~S with the magnetic materials.
In accordance with the invention, this multi-zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator is characterized in that:
- its partitioned matrices are incorporated into a plurality of unconnected, four-wheeled cars, each of these cars being open at both top and bottom and capable of being fed in either way;
- the four-wheeled cars form together an endless train travelling along a vertically extending loop-forming track mounted on a supporting frame;
1;2Z5967 - the track comprises two horizontal lengths of rails located at different elevations one above the other, the lower length of rails of this track having upwardly curving ends;
- each of the horizontal lengths of rails is positioned to pass the four-wheeled cars rolling thereon through at least one of the magnetic zones;
- a set of car transferring means is mounted on the supporting frame in cooperative relationship with respect to the upper and lower lengths of rails to ensure transfer of the unconnected cars from one length of rails to the other and vice versa, one of these transferring means being positioned to lift 'che unconnected cars from the lower length up to the upper length of rails while the other is positioned both to control fall of the cars by gravity from the upper length down to the lower length and to reverse the same during their fall;
- the one transferring means positioned to lift the unconnected cars comprises at least one sprocket wheel having teeth capable of engaging rollers provided onto each of the unconnected cars, the upwardly curving ends of the lower length of rails being located adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel to prevent the rollers of the cars from falling out:of said sprocket wheel when the same are lifted up; and - the endless train of unconnected cars is propelled in a continuous manner along its track by means of a motor driving the at least one sprocket wheel, each of the cars engaged and propelled by this at least one motorized sprocket wheel pushing the other cars along the track.
As can be understood, the physical arrangement of the travelling cars mechanism of the separator according to the invention is very similar to the large travelling grate pelletizing and sinter machines presently used in the mineral dressing and iron making industries.
A major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it is very simple in structure and maintenance. In particular, the maintainance o the partitioned hollow matrices that is rather delicate and time consumming in the known separators, is substantially facili-tated in the separator according to the invention, since each cax travelling along the look-forming track is unconnec-ted and can be easily removed and replaced by another one.
Another major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it can be scaled up to any desired size.
A further major advantage of the separator according to the invention is that it may incorporate two different types of magnetic circuits thereby improving the recovery yield and efficiency of the machine.
The invention and its numerous advantages will be better understood with reference to the following descrip-tion of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
fig. l is a perspective view of a high intensity wet magnetic separator according to the inventlon;
fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the separator shown in fig. l;
fig. 3 is a front elevational view in cross-section of the separator shown in figs. l and 2;
fig. 4 is a perspective view of a travelling car - for use in the separator of figs. 1 to 3, with part of its walls cut away to show greater details of its internal structure; and fig. 5 appearing on the same sheet of drawings as ~ig. 2 is a front elevational view in cross-section of a travelling car passing through a high intensity magnetic zone.
The high intensity wet magnetic separator l according to the invention as shown in the drawings, compri-ses a supporting frame 3 constructed with a plurality of I-shaped beam sections 5 connected to each other in any conventional manner. The frame 3 supports a loop-forming .
1~2S96~
track 7 comprising two horizontal lengths oE rails 9 and ll mounted at different elevations one above the other.
A plurali~y of unconnected, four-wheeled cars 13 opened at both top and bottom and capable of being fed in either way are movingly mounted onto the track 7 to form an endless train capable of rolling onto the rails 9 and 11.
The frame 3 also support car transferring means 15 and 17 mounted in cooperative relationship with respect ':
to the upper and lower lengths of rails 9 and 11 to ensure transfer of the unconnected cars 13 from one length of rails to the other and vice versa. One of these car transferring means, namely the one numbered 15, is positioned at one end of the frame 3 to lift the unconnected cars 13 from the lower length of rails 11 up to the upper length of rails 9 while the other one numbered 17 is positioned at the other end of the frame both to control fall of the cars 3 by gravity from the upper length of rails 9 down to the lower length of rails:ll, while:simultaneously reversing the same during their fall.
The car transferring means 15 used to lift the unconnected cars 13 comprises two large sprocket wheels 19 rigidly mounted on a same shaft 21. Both wheels 19 have a diameter substantially equal to the height between the rails 9 and 11. They are positioned so that the rails 9 and ll extend tangentially therefrom, and they have teeth 23 capable of engaging rollers 25 provided on each of the unconnected cars 13 when these cars reach the ends of the rails 11. To prevent the rollers of the cars lifted up from alling out of the sprocket wheels 19 when the same are rotating upwardly, the ends 25 of the rails 11 forming the lower length of rails are upwardly curved to follow the periphery of at least the,outer lower ~uadrant of the wheels 19, as shown in fig. 1.
The endless train of unconnected cars 13 is propel-led in a continuous manner along the track 7 by means of a motor 26 connected to the shaft 21 of wheels l9. As can be ~ ~ .
easily understood, each of the cars 13 lifted up by the wheels 19 is forced to push the other cars along the track 6 to find room when it reaches the upper length of rails 9. This pushing occurs permanently when the motor is operated and is sufficient to propel all the car~ along the track.
The other car transferring means 17 at the other end end of the frame may be identical to the means 15, except that its sprocket wheels do not have to be operated by a motor.
Alternatively, it may consist of a mere set of parallel~
semi-circular wheel,guiding rails joining the upper length to the lower one, for guiding the cars 13 downwardly as they fall down.
In accordance with the invention, each length of rails is positioned to pass the four-wheeled carsare rolling thereon through at least one magnetic zone where a high intensity andJor high gradien;t magnetic field is created by suitable means. As shown in the drawings, the upper length of rails 9 pass through one magnetic zone 27 while the lower length of rails 11 pass through another magnetic zone 29 preferably longitudinally offset relative to the other one in the frame 3 supporting the track 7 to give more room to the various delivering and collecting means provided in each zone. If desired, each length of rails may pass through more than one magnetic zone to increase the capacity of the separator, provided that the frame 3 be scaled up to accomodate all of these zones.
Means 31, 31' and 33, 33' are provided for delive-ring a slurry of ground particles of material to be magneti-cally separated into each of the partitioned cars 13 as soon as they enter each of the magnetic zones 27 and 29, respec-tively. Means 35 and 37 are also provided for collecting the portion of the delivered slurry passing through parti-tioned cars while they still are in the maynetic zones 27 and 29 respectively.
These means 35 and 37 may consist of troughs made of a non-magnetic material such as polyethylene or fiberglass, -lL2ZS967 which troughs are positioned below the rails between the same, as shown in Fig. 5.
Means'39 and 41 are also provided for delivering' a scouring fluid such as high pressure water into each of the cars 13 when they get out of each of the magnetic zones to remove from all these partitione'd cars 13 all the magnetic material having adhered thereto while they were in the magne-tic zones 27 and 29. Of course, means 43 and ~5 also in the form of troughs are additionally provided under the rails 9 and 11 for collecting this scouring fluid together with the magnetic materials.
Advantageously, means 47 and 49 may further be provided for delivering a washing fluid such as low pressuri-zed water into each of the cars 13 while they are still in the magnetic zones 27 and 29.respectively to wash the magnetic materials adhering to the partitions of the cars before these cars qet out of the zones and the magnetic materials are scoured by the high~. pressure water fed by the delivering means 39 and 41. Of course, means 51 and 53 are in this case provided under the rails 9 and 11 for collecting.the washing fluid together with the washed materials, as middlings.
In use, the high intensity or high gradient magnetic field generated by means of an adjustable electroma-gnet in each magnetic zone 27 or 29 causes the parti-2S tions extending inside every car to become electromagneticby induction. The so inducted paritions of each car concen-trate the magnetic field across the pa th of the mineral ore to be treated, which ore is delivered by pipes 31, 31', 33, 33' and fed through each car in the .form of a slurry of ground particles having a diameter preferably less than 1 mm. The magnetic materials cont.ained in:the^slurry attach themselves to the magnetically inducted partitions and remain fixed to these partitions as long as they are subject to the magnetic ' field while the non magnetic mateirals including the gangue or reject particles from the crude mineral ore pass through.
the cars 13 and are collected in the troughs 35 and'37. When the cars 13 get out of the magnetic zones, a high pressure 122S96~
washing and scouring water delivered by pipes 39 and 41 is applied above and through the partitions to remove the magnetic materials having adhered thereto because of the magnetic field. The magnetic materials removed by means of this scouring water are then recovered in the concentrate collection troughs 43 and 45.
As shown in Fig. 4, the unconnected cars 3 used in the separator 1 are generally rectangular in shape and each comprise a plurality of vertical partitions 61 made of a material capable of being subjected to electromagnetic induction. The cars 13 may be constructed of steel or of any other suitable material, such as fiberglass. Each car 13 also comprises four wheelS 63 externally mounted on the lateral walls of the car, to facilitate its travelling motion on the track 7 through the magnetic field created in the magnetic zones 27 and 29.
The physical dimensions of the cars 13 and the number of induction partitions contained therein are exclu-sively determined by the designed capacity of the separator.
Preferably, the length of each car is selected so as to be equal to less than half of the length of each magnetic zone. Advantageously, means (not shown) may be provided to seal the space between each car and the other cars adjacent thereto when they are pushed together along the track 7.
Guiding means 65 may advantageously be provided for laterally maintaining the cars 13 in central position when they pass through the magnetic zones and preventing them from being subjected to side thrust movement within the magnetic field. These means 65 advantageously comprises a pair of thrust plates 67 and 69 mounted on the upper and lower parts of each outer lateral wall of each car 13. The thrust plates 67 and 69 are positioned to contact and coope-rate with a double alignment of anti_friction ball-bearings 71 and 73 extending parallel to the rails of each lengths of railsj above and below the poles of the electro-magnet between which the magnetic field is created.
lZ25967 This guiding arrangement may of course be reversed with the antifriction ball-bearings mounted in the outer la-teral walls of the cars and the thrust plates mounted in thealternate position. In either arrangement, the location of the individual ball-bearings 71 and 73 in each magnetic zone must however be selected so that at any instance during travelling of each car in the magnetic field, at least three ball-bearings of each alignment are in contact with the corresponding thrust plate.
The clearance between the ball-bearings and the thrust plate mounted on the outer lateral walls of the cars 3 must be dimensioned so as to preclude the possibility of any significa~t contribution of magnetic forces laterally acting onto each car. Moreover, the guiding means 65 are advantagesouly selected so as to extend beyond the magnetic zones in both directions to lead the cars into and out of the magnetic field. As shown in fig. 5, the ball-bearings 71 and 73 can be lubrificated by graphite blocks 75 located to rub against the bearing surface. However, other petroleum or synthetic lubrifiant could also be suitably used for this purpose.
The induction partitions 61 of each car 13 verti-cally extend inside the car in a direction perpendicular to the general direction of the magnetic field. These partitions 61 can be made in several forms from various materials, pro-vided that these materials have a high resistance to corro-sion and abrasion and are capable of conducting a magnetic field. These partitions can be produced by an injection molding techni~ue, using a polymer composition impregnated with ferric iron particles to give the desired magnetic pro-perties to the resulting partitions. A-thin perforated plate of steel or iron may advantageously be introduced into the mold before injecting the plastic materials, to stiffen the resulting partition. The use of such polymer-made partition substantially reduces the replacement cost. Moreover, such a partition weights approximatively one third of the weight _ g _ - 122596~7 of a conventional partition, thereby allowing machine construction with lighter supporting frame sections.
~ lternatively, the partitions 61 can be manufac-tured using thin steel sheets welded back to back in parallel relationship. Each sheet which may have a thickness of about 1.5 mm,is advantageously punched in a dye prior to being welded, so as to be formed with a plurality of vertically extending corrugations. Every pair of corruga-ted sheets of desired size is assembled to form one partition, by placing the sheets back face to back face and welding together their edges using an induction welding technique.The size of each sheet and the control parameters of the induction welding technique can be selected to give all the desired properties and the required shape and size to the requested induction partitions.
It should be noted that this particular method of construction is particularly interesting in that the result-ing partitions are made from a lesser amount of material than the conventional partitions This method can be easily automatized for macs production, with the accompanying manufacture savings. It should also be noted that the above described types of partitions especially designed for use in the separator according to the invention, may also be used in any other similar separator, where matrices with consummable, ~5 replaceable induction partitions are used.
The above mentioned partitions are mounted at pre-determined spacing within each car. When the partitions are corrugated, they are advantageously mounted so that the respective corrugations of each pair of adjacent sheets are opposite,with an air gap left between their grooves and peaks. The selection of the air gap width depends on the type and size to the particles of mineral being processed through the separator. Preferably, the corrugated partitions nominal dimension will be 200 mm high by 300 mm long.
However, the size and number of partitions per car may be varied according to the desired processing capacity of the separator.
;, -- 10 --~22sg~7 Means can be provided to remove tramp and over-sized particles contained in the slurry delivered into each car in at least one of the magnetic zones. These means may consist of an hinged screen 77 fitting over the top of each car for collecting the tramp or oversized particles contained in the slurry delivered by the pipes 31 and 31'.
The screen 77 will arrest the coarse particles and tramp that could block the partitions openings and air-gap. The screen 77 will also swing free from the top of the car and will hang loose in non-intervening position when the car is reversed and rolls on the lower length of rails.
As aforesaid, the travelling cars 13 are propelled in a continuous manner along the track by a pair of driving sprocket wheels 19 mounted on the same shaft 21. The rollers 25 engages by these wheels are mounted on the wheel axles of each car between the walls and wheels of the car. As shown in fig. 2, the driving sprocket wheels 19 are connect-ed via a suitable mechanical gear reduction box 79 to the motor 26. Advantageously, a torque tube (not shown) may be provided onto the shaft 21 of the car transferring means 15 to provide constant stress value on all-the driving wheels.
The motor can be an AC, variable fre~uency, variable speed motor with the required electrical swi~h gear, motor control center and rectifier, sized according to the individual machi-2S ne requirement. Other type of AC of DC drive motor couldalso be used.
Advantageously, means may be provided to facilitate fast and easy removal of one or more cars from the track,for maintenance or replacement purposes. As shown in fig. 1, these means may consist of a hinged portion of rails 81, forming part of the upwardly curving ends-of the lower end of rails 9 in the upper outer section or quadrant of the ! sprocket wheel assembly 15. Removal of one or more cars 13 from the track 7 can then be effebted by pulling back the hinged rails 81 to open the track 7, such opening giving direct access to the cars 13.
, .The means used for creating a high intensity or high gradient magnetic field through the partitioned cars in the magnetic zones 27 and 29 may advantageously consist of electromagnets.custom made to conform with the grate design and to produce a 8,000 to 20,000 Gause magnetic field, using a 600, 415 or 230 volt electrical supply.
To create a high intensity magnetic field, use can be made of an electromagnet like the one shown in the magne-tic zone 27 of the separator 1. This electromagnet comprises a C-shaped yoke 83 constructed from laminated soft iron sheets with associated copper or aluminium coil windings 85 that can be either air or oil cooled. The yoke 83:which defines a pair of opposite poles 87 and 89 may be mounted either below or above (as shown) the corresponding length of rails 9 in such a way that the poles of electromagnet be very close to and substantially identical in size with the lateral walls of the cars 13 travelling on the rails 9, to ensure creation and passage of the desired magnetic field in a horizontal plane passing through-the cars at right angle with respect to their t~ravelling direction and to their partitions. This kind of electromagnet can be independently controlled and des:igned to locate the neutr~ axis of the magnetic field perpendicular to..the central line of the car.
All the magnetic zones of the machine may be provided with such a C-shaped yoke.electromagnet. However, in cases where a high gradient magnetic field is preferred to a high intensity one, an electromagnet assembly made of two endless coils 91 and 93 s.ymmetrically positioned-one above the ot~er with respect to the corresponding length of rails can be used, as shown in the magnetic zone 29 of the separator 1. With this-arrangement, the coils are fitted around the travelling cars 13 in such a way as to pass the high gradient magnetic field vertically through the induction partitions 61 of the cars 13.
In other words7 the alignment of the polarity of the magnetic field is made in such a way as to extend lZ2S967 vertically through the partitions. As a result, the neutral axis of the magnetic field passes horizontally through the geometric center line of each partition 61, the upper part of each partition above the neutral axis forming one pole, the lower part of the partition below the neutral axis form-ing the opposite pole.
Double coil magnet assemblies of the above mentioned type can advantageously be used for separating very fine mineral values, such usually requiring a much higher magnetic field gradient than is practical or possible with a C-shaped yoke magnet.
Advantageously, means may be provided for classi-fying the ground particles of materials to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry. These classi-fying means can be a hydro-cyclone or any other type of classifying device capable of differenciating the size range of the particles.
In one embodiment of the invention, the coarse particle slurry is fed into the cars 13 in the upper magnetic zone 27 exClusively via the pipes 31 and 31', while the fine particle slurry is fed by-the pipes 33 and 33' in the same cars when they pass through the lower magnetic zone 29 exclu-sively. In this particular case, use can advantageously be made of a yoke-type magnet in the upper magnetic zone 27 and of a double coil type magnet of the lower magnetic zone 29 as shown in the drawings. Indeed, better separation is obtai-ned when the coarser faction of the slurry is fed through the high intensity magnetic field definedby the yoke-type magnet while the finer faction of the slurry is fed through the high 3~ gradient magnetic field defined bythe double endless coil type magnet. ~ ~
In another embodiment of the invention, both the coarse and fine particle slurries are introduced successively in each magnetic zone. Advantageously, the classified coarse particle slurry is first introduced in the cars 13 via the pipes 31 and 33. Thereafter, the fine particle slurry is :IZ25967 introduced into the same cars 13 through the pipes 31' and 33'. In this case, the coarse particles are attracted first by the induction partitions 61, thereby reducing the air gap across these partitions. Subsequently, the finer particles supplied by 31' and 33' are be attracted by the coarse particles already adhering to the partitions.
This way of proceeding is interesting in that it improves recovery the fine particle values and allows more efficient use of the magnetic circuits.
In operation,-the mineral particles on which the separator l is the most effective are those having a size ranging between one millimeter and ten microns. The crude mineral feed, in slurry form, rejected by previous concen-trator process steps, or prepared in a comminution circuit to give the necessary size content, can be thickened using a thickening hydro-cyclone or other dewatering device, to a concentration of approximately forty per cent ~40~) solids by weight. The concentration of the slurry may vary according to the characteristics of the mineral being treated. The feed material is directed to a feed distri-butor, to be proportioned to the machine according to the number of electro-magnet-circuits used with the machine.
As aforesaid, the electro-magnets used for creating the electromagnetic fields in the upper and lower lengths of rails may be identical or of different types. However, they have to be independent of each other in operation for better results, controlled variation of the magnetic field intensity and gradient in the upper and lower zones 27 and 29 permitting indeed to better complement the relative particle size, feed rate, and feed slurry concentration of the mineralS
being treated.
As aforesaid, the slurry feed containing the crude mineral is introduced on a continuous basis at the fed points 31, 31', 33 and 33 , where the cars 13 enter the magnetic field. Each feed point may incorporate a feed box mechanism as shown in fig. 5 to promote low velocity dispersal of the "'''' ' .
~a225967 slurry over the full width of the induction partitions 61.
As also aforesaid, the troughs located underneath the travelling cars 16 are arranged to collect the various separated mineral factions. The first troughs 35 and 37 located immediately beneath the stationary electro-magnets, collect the reject or tailings material from the slurry.
This material is normally rejected as waste. The second troughs 51 and 53 located under and towards the end of the electro-magnets, collect a middlings faction, containing some mineral values. This faction is generated by the introduction of the low pressure washingwater over and through the induction partitionsin the last parts of the magnetic zones. The low pressure washing water serves to dislodge very feebly magnetic and therefore material of questionable value, from between the plates. This material is normally recycled through the machine with the new feed, or is removed from the cycle for further treatment using a different process. As the cars 13 leave the stationary magnetic fields, a high pressure scouring water is introduced from above, through the induction partition, in a similar manner as the feed and low pressure wash water was introduced. The high pressure water passes between the induction partitions moving the concentrate particles downward, into the third troughs 43 and 45 located beneath the cars. The so collected concentrate product is then directed, if required, for Eurther quality improvement, to a second stage separator or other process cycle. Alternately,it can be directed to a filter or to another type of dewatering device for inclusion with final concentrate product.
Depending on the machine capacity, multiple magne-tic field circuits can be located along a lengthened travel-ling grate machine upper length of rails. With this arrangement, an equal number of electro-magnet circuits wouId also be provided on the lower length of rails. After passing through the last upper magnetic circuit, the travelling cars 16 continue through the car transferring and reversing means 17, -'1225g~
arriving at the lower length of rails in a reversed, i.e., upside down position. The induction partition enclosures of the cars are symmetric in their construction, so that on the lower length, a cycle iclentical to the one performed on the upper length be repeated, with the slurry and wash-water being introduced from the bottom of the plate car.
After completion of the lower length of rail, the motorized drive sprockets l9 return the cars to the upper length.
The total operation mode is a continuous cycle. Induction partitions that require to be removed from the machine because of blockage between the partitions or because of partitions wear, are removed individually or in a complete car assembly. The car removal mechanism 81 located on the drive sprocket, is designed to allow rapid removal of cars and immediate substitution of a spare car element assembly, with a minimum of process interruption.
.
Claims (21)
1. In a high intensity wet magnetic separator for use in separating magnetic materials from non-magnetic or paramagnetic materials in a slurry of ground particles, said separator comprising:
a plurality of partitioned hollow matrices;
means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in at least two zones hereinafter referred to as <<magnetic zones>>;
means for delivering the slurry of particles to be separated into each of the matrices when they are in each of the magnetic zones;
means for collecting the portion of the slurry having passed through the matrices while they still are in the magnetic zones, means for delivering a scouring fluid into each of the matrices when they get out of each of the magnetic zones to remove from said matrices all the magnetic materials having adhered thereto in the zones, and means for collecting this scouring fluid together with the magnetic materials, the improvement wherein:
- said partitioned matrices are incorporated into a plurality of unconnected, four-wheeled cars, each of said car being open at both top and bottom and being capable of being fed in either way;
- said four-wheeled cars form together an endless train travelling along a vertically extending loop-forming track mounted on a supporting frame;
- said track comprises two horizontal lengths of rails located at different elevations one above the other, the lower length of rails of said track having upwardly curving ends;
- each of said horizontal lengths of rails is positioned to pass the wheeled cars rolling thereon through at least one of the magnetic zones, - a set of car transferring means is mounted on the supporting frame in cooperative relationship with respect to the upper and lower lengths of rails to the other and vice versa, one of said transferring means being positioned to lift the unconnected cars from the lower length up to the upper length of rails while the other transfering means as positioned to control fall of the cars by gravity from the upper length down to the lower length and to reverse said cars during their fall;
- said one transferring means positioned to lift the unconnected cars comprises at least one sprocket wheel having teeth capable of engaging rollers provided onto each of the unconnected cars, the upwardly curving ends of the lower length of rails being located adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel to prevent the rollers of the cars from falling out of said sprocket wheel by gravity; and - the endless train of unconnected cars is propelled in a continuous manner along its track by means of a motor driving said at least one sprocket wheel, each of the cars engaged and propelled by said at least one motorized sprocket wheel pushing the other cars along the track.
a plurality of partitioned hollow matrices;
means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in at least two zones hereinafter referred to as <<magnetic zones>>;
means for delivering the slurry of particles to be separated into each of the matrices when they are in each of the magnetic zones;
means for collecting the portion of the slurry having passed through the matrices while they still are in the magnetic zones, means for delivering a scouring fluid into each of the matrices when they get out of each of the magnetic zones to remove from said matrices all the magnetic materials having adhered thereto in the zones, and means for collecting this scouring fluid together with the magnetic materials, the improvement wherein:
- said partitioned matrices are incorporated into a plurality of unconnected, four-wheeled cars, each of said car being open at both top and bottom and being capable of being fed in either way;
- said four-wheeled cars form together an endless train travelling along a vertically extending loop-forming track mounted on a supporting frame;
- said track comprises two horizontal lengths of rails located at different elevations one above the other, the lower length of rails of said track having upwardly curving ends;
- each of said horizontal lengths of rails is positioned to pass the wheeled cars rolling thereon through at least one of the magnetic zones, - a set of car transferring means is mounted on the supporting frame in cooperative relationship with respect to the upper and lower lengths of rails to the other and vice versa, one of said transferring means being positioned to lift the unconnected cars from the lower length up to the upper length of rails while the other transfering means as positioned to control fall of the cars by gravity from the upper length down to the lower length and to reverse said cars during their fall;
- said one transferring means positioned to lift the unconnected cars comprises at least one sprocket wheel having teeth capable of engaging rollers provided onto each of the unconnected cars, the upwardly curving ends of the lower length of rails being located adjacent the periphery of said at least one wheel to prevent the rollers of the cars from falling out of said sprocket wheel by gravity; and - the endless train of unconnected cars is propelled in a continuous manner along its track by means of a motor driving said at least one sprocket wheel, each of the cars engaged and propelled by said at least one motorized sprocket wheel pushing the other cars along the track.
2. The improved separator of claim 1, further com-prising guiding means for laterally maintaining the wheeled cars in central position when they pass through the magnetic zones and preventing them from being subjected to side thrust movement within the magnetic field.
3, The improved separator of claim 2, wherein said guiding means comprise at least one double alignment of anti-friction ball-bearings laterally positioned with respect to and along the rails within each magnetic zone, said at least one double alignment of antifriction ball-bearings engaging and contacting thrust plates mounted on the outer lateral walls of each car.
4. The improved separator of claim 3, wherein said guiding means comprise two double alignments of ball-bearings, one of said double alignments contacting thrust plates positioned close to the top of each car, the other double alignment contacting thrust plates positioned close to the bottom of each car.
5. The improved separator of claim 4, wherein each double alignment of ball-bearings comprises such a number of ball bearings that at least three of said bearings contact each thrust plate of each car when said or is in the magnetic zone.
6. The improved separator of claim 2, wherein said guiding means comprises at least one double alignment of anti-friction ball-bearings mounted on and along the outer lateral walls of each car, said at least one double alignment engaging and contacting thrust plate laterally positioned with respect to and along the rails within each magnetic zone.
7. The improved separator of claim 2 wherein:
- the unconnected cars are generally rectangular in shape and each comprise a plurality of partitions made of a material capable of being. subjected to electromagnetic induc-tions, said partitions being positioned to extend perpendicu-larly with respect to the magnetic field created in each zone;
- the four wheels of each car are mounted so as to extend outwardly from the lateral walls of said car and each support on their axes a roller for engagement with a sprocket wheel; and - means are provided on each car to seal the spaces between said car and the other cars adjacent thereto when they are pushed together along the track.
- the unconnected cars are generally rectangular in shape and each comprise a plurality of partitions made of a material capable of being. subjected to electromagnetic induc-tions, said partitions being positioned to extend perpendicu-larly with respect to the magnetic field created in each zone;
- the four wheels of each car are mounted so as to extend outwardly from the lateral walls of said car and each support on their axes a roller for engagement with a sprocket wheel; and - means are provided on each car to seal the spaces between said car and the other cars adjacent thereto when they are pushed together along the track.
8. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein each car has a length equal to less than half of the length of each of the magnetic zones.
9. The improved separator of claim 7 wherein the induction partitions of each car are made of mold-in-jected polymer impregnated with ferric iron particles, each of said mold-injected partitions being stiffened with an internal perforated metal plate.
10. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein the induction partitions of each car are each made of two thin steel sheets welded back to back in parallel relation-ship, each of said sheets comprising vertically extending corrugations.
11. The improved separator of claim 10, wherein the induction partitions of each car are positioned with respect to each other so that the respective corrugations of their sheets are opposite.
12. The improved separator of claim 7, further comprising:
- means for delivering awash ing fluid into each of the matrices while they are still in the magnetic zones to wash the magnetic materials before the matrices get out of the zones and said magnetic materials are scoured; and - means for collecting this washing fluid as middlings.
- means for delivering awash ing fluid into each of the matrices while they are still in the magnetic zones to wash the magnetic materials before the matrices get out of the zones and said magnetic materials are scoured; and - means for collecting this washing fluid as middlings.
13. The improved separator of claim 12, wherein the magnetic zones located at different elevations are longitudinally offset with respect to the supporting structure of the track to give more room to the various delivering and collecting means of each of said zones.
14. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein the motor driving the propelling sprocket wheel assembly is electrical and mounted to rotate the sprocket wheels via a gear reduction unit and a torque tube.
15. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein part of the upwardly curving ends of the lower length of rails in the upper outer section of the sprocket wheel assemblies is removably mounted to allow one or more of the cars engaging said assembly to be pulled out and thus easily removed or replaced.
16. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field comprise in at least one of the zones, an electro-magnet having a C-shaped yoke and a pair of opposed poles, said yoke being mounted above or below the corresponding length of rails in such a way that the poles of the electro magnet be in close contact with the side faces of the cars travelling on the said rails and ensure creation and passage of the de-sired magnetic field in a horizontal plane passing through the cars at right angle with respect to their travelling direction.
17. The improved separator of claim 7, wherein said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field comprise, in at least one of the zones, an electro-magnet assembly made of two endless coils symmetrically positioned one above the other with respect to the corresponding length of rail, said coils being mounted so as to ensure creation and passage of a very high gradient magnetic field in a ver-tical plane at right angle with respect to the travelling direction of the cars, said magnetic field inducing magnetic poles in the partitions of each car, the upper part of each partition above the neutral axis of the electro-magnet assem-bly forming one of said poles, the lower part of said parti-tion below the neutral axis forming the opposite pole.
18. The improved separator of claim 7, comprising a pair of upper and lower magnetic zones and wherein:
- said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in the upper magnetic zone comprise an electro-magnet having a C-shaped yoke and a pair of opposed poles said yoke being mounted above or below the corresponding rail portion in such a way that the poles of the electro-magnet be in close contact with the side faces of the cars travelling on the said rail portion and ensure creation and passage of the desired magnetic field in a horizontal plane passing through the cars at right angle with respect to their travel-ling on the said rail portion; and - said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in the lower magnetic zone comprise an electro-magnet assembly made of two endless coils symmetrically positioned one above the other with respect to the corresponding portion of rail, said coils being mounted so as to ensure creation and passage of a very high gradient magnetic field in a vertical plane at right angle with respect to the travelling direction of the cars, said magnetic field inducing magnetic poles in the partitions of each car, the upper part of each partition above the neutral axis of the electro-magnet assembly forming one of said poles, the lower part of said partition below the neutral axis forming the opposite pole.
- said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in the upper magnetic zone comprise an electro-magnet having a C-shaped yoke and a pair of opposed poles said yoke being mounted above or below the corresponding rail portion in such a way that the poles of the electro-magnet be in close contact with the side faces of the cars travelling on the said rail portion and ensure creation and passage of the desired magnetic field in a horizontal plane passing through the cars at right angle with respect to their travel-ling on the said rail portion; and - said means for creating a high intensity magnetic field in the lower magnetic zone comprise an electro-magnet assembly made of two endless coils symmetrically positioned one above the other with respect to the corresponding portion of rail, said coils being mounted so as to ensure creation and passage of a very high gradient magnetic field in a vertical plane at right angle with respect to the travelling direction of the cars, said magnetic field inducing magnetic poles in the partitions of each car, the upper part of each partition above the neutral axis of the electro-magnet assembly forming one of said poles, the lower part of said partition below the neutral axis forming the opposite pole.
19. The improved separator of claim 18, further comprising:
- means for classifying the ground particles of crude material in size to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry;
- means for supplying the coarse particle slurry to the slurry delivering means of the upper magnetic zone exclusively; and - means for supplying the fine particle slurry to the slurry delivering means of the lower-magnetic zone exclusively.
- means for classifying the ground particles of crude material in size to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry;
- means for supplying the coarse particle slurry to the slurry delivering means of the upper magnetic zone exclusively; and - means for supplying the fine particle slurry to the slurry delivering means of the lower-magnetic zone exclusively.
20. The improved separator of claim 18, comprising two successive slurry delivering means for each magnetic zone and further comprising:
- means for classifying the ground particles of crude material in size to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry;
- means for supplying the coarse particle slurry to the first slurry delivering means of each magnetic zone;
and - means for supplying the fine particle slurry to the second slurry delivering means of each magnetic zone.
- means for classifying the ground particles of crude material in size to form a coarse particle slurry and a fine particle slurry;
- means for supplying the coarse particle slurry to the first slurry delivering means of each magnetic zone;
and - means for supplying the fine particle slurry to the second slurry delivering means of each magnetic zone.
21. The improved separator of claim 19, wherein each car comprises a hinged screen fitted over its top for collecting any tramp or oversized material delivered with the slurry in the upper magnetic zone and for automatically depositing it as the car falls from the upper length of rails to the lower one, said screen hanging loose in non-intervening position by gravity when the car rolls on the lower length of rails.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000446123A CA1225967A (en) | 1984-01-26 | 1984-01-26 | Trolley conveyed vertical plane multi zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000446123A CA1225967A (en) | 1984-01-26 | 1984-01-26 | Trolley conveyed vertical plane multi zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1225967A true CA1225967A (en) | 1987-08-25 |
Family
ID=4127037
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000446123A Expired CA1225967A (en) | 1984-01-26 | 1984-01-26 | Trolley conveyed vertical plane multi zoned high intensity wet magnetic separator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1225967A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-01-26 CA CA000446123A patent/CA1225967A/en not_active Expired
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