GB547098A - Improvements in or relating to the separation of solid materials of different specific gravities - Google Patents

Abstract

547,098. Wet-separating. TROSTLER F., ANDREWS, T., SKELTON, W. R., and HUNTINGTON, HEBERLEIN & CO., Ltd. Nov. 7, 1940, No. 16215. [Class 82 (ii)] In a sink-and-float process of separating materials by the use of a heavy medium consisting of a substantially stable suspension, the circulation of medium to and from the body of medium in the separating vessel is controlled by admitting the medium at a determined rate and medium from the top of the body is removed at a determined rate by pushing or lifting accurately measured amounts of medium at determined intervals, outlet means for the medium being provided from the bottom of the body for the overflow or outflow therefrom at a rate equal to the admission rate less the sum of the top removal rate and the rate of removal of medium adhering to the separated particles, and the outflow or overflow rate being varied by varying the amounts pushed or lifted successively from the upper part of the medium in the separating vessel. The heavy medium is fed at 9a into a tank 9 and is fed therefrom at a determined rate at 10 into the separating vessel 1 below the surface 8 so that it divides into two streams, one flowing gently upward and then across and the other causing a gentle downward current and overflowing at the weirs 11. Sunk particles are removed by an elevator 4 and the float material is discharged over the boom 23 into a shoot 6. The medium is removed from the upper part of the surface 8 by a paddle wheel 22 rotatably mounted above the extension 24 constituting a trough the bottom 25 of which is concentric with the wheel 22 which has a large number of blades 27 attached to a hub 28, Fig. 2, the attachment being strengthened by one or more webs 29 to which the blades are also welded. Rubber blades 30, one for each blade 27, are secured to angle bars 31 mounted on the blades and provide sealing means for the paddle blades at both the side edges and tips of the blades and the speed of the paddle can be adjusted by the variable - speed drive 39. Additional paddle wheels 22a, 22b, 22c all driven from the same source as the wheel 22 may be provided, the wheel 22a, which has four blades 32 secured to a drum. 33, immersing the ore to be treated which is fed from a shoot 5, the wheels 22b, 22c having four long blades 36 secured to hollow bosses 37 and strengthened by webs 38 conveying the float material across to the trough 24. The webs 29 on the wheel 22 and the webs 38 on the wheels 22b, 22c are in line with each other and so divide the float material into lanes. The present invention is particularly adapted for use with the process and apparatus described in Specification 547,099.