US1088685A - Apparatus for concentrating ores. - Google Patents

Description

W. I'. DBISTER.

APPARATUS PoR CONGENTRATING oRBs.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1913. 1,088,685. Patented Mar.3,1914

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APPARATUS PoR GONGBNTRATING GRES.

I APPLICATION FILED NOT/.13, 1013. 1,088,685. A Patented Mar.3,1914

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W. P. DBISTER. APPARATUS FOR GONCENTRATING CRBS.

APPLIoATloN FILED Nov. 1s, 1913.

1,088,685, .Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

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s lQ wlmsssas mvEN-fon downward or feed inclination from the point UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. DEISTER. F `FORT WAYNE, INDIANA. ASSIGNOR TO DEISTER MACHINE COMPANY. OF FORT WAYNE. INDIANA. A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

APPARATUS FOR CON CENTRATING ORES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented `Mar. 3, 1914.

Application filed November 13, 1913. Serial No. $00,779.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, lVILLiAw F. Dms'rmi, residing at Fort \Vayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, a citizen of the United States, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in A\pparatus for (,oncentrating Orcs, of which improvements the following is a specification.

In concentrating crushed ores on vibrating tables. the material in a pulverized condition is mingled with a sufficienty quantity of water vto form a freely fiowing pulp, which is then fed onto a differentially vibrating table. 'hile on the table opportunity must be afforded for a gravity separation or stratification of theconstituents of the pulp in accordance with their relative specific gravities. After this gravity separation oiI stratification. the mineral or minerals which move down through pulp onto the surface of the table, are caused by the vibration of the table tol move in a certain direction. By reaso-n of the fact that the minerals'are the heaviest constituents and are in contact with the vibrating surface they would, if the table were level move more rapidly in the direction of vibration than the overlying lighter constituents or gangue and would in time if the table were of sufficient-dimensions passcnt-irely from under the ganglio. But inorder to lessen the travel of the materials and to establish a definite line of separation, the table is so inclined as to neutralize so far as the lighter materials or gangue are concerned the movement due to the vibratory action of the table. The stratification and separation by the vibratory action of the table occurs to a greater or less degree over the whole surface of the table which has a of feed.

lt is the general practice to so support the table that its surface is inclined Sulliciently to neutralize the travel duc to the vibrations. Of course this neutralizing inclination which is at an angle to the feed inclination. will also retard to a considerable extent the movement of the values by the vibrations. lt will be understood,l that while the minerals or values and gangue are mingled together, they will be influenced more by the inclination of the table than by thc vibrations and hence will tend to move toward the rear of the table and that thisI movement of the minerals is checked and reversed when the minerals have settled down through the lighter materials toward or into contact with the table. besecu that the neutralizing inclination of the whole surface of the table is objection* able, first because the pulp is caused to move toward the rear before stratification occurs,

thus necessitating a greater travel of the minerals after stratification, and also because such inclination has a'retarding influence on the movement of the minerals by the vibrations of the table.

'lhe object of the invention described herein is to provide for the stratification of the pulp without subjecting it to any force or influence which will retard the separation of the stratified materials.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved concentrating table; Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on planes indicated respectively by the lines II-II and III- III Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the portion of the table where the separation of the stratified material is effected; Fig. 5 is a detail of one of the riflles; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a modification of my improved table; Fig. T is a top plan view of the iVillley type of table having my improvements applied thereto; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showing a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a transverse section on a plane indicated by the line IXmlX Fig. 7, the rifiles and linoleum covering heilig removed.

In the practice of my invention the feed trough or launder l which is of the usual or any suitable construction is arranged along one side of the table, the latter being inclined downwardly from the feed side so that Vthe material will flow slowly toward the gangue or tailings launder 2 secured to the opposite side vof the table. Asthe table is preferably given little and in some cases no downward inclination from its front to its rear end or at. an angle to the direction of feed, the pulp will flow in substantially straight lines from the feed trough across the table. During this movement of the pulp the mineral or minerals will settle down into contact. with the surface of the Thus it will table, to which such a differential vibratory movement is imparted by a suitable mechanism, as to cause the minerals to move toward the front end of the table as indicated by the arrows. A plateau 3 is arranged on the table across the line of movement imparted to the minerals by the vibration of the table. The surface of the plateau is'sufficiently higher than the surface over which the pulp flows and Where the gravity separation or stratification of the constituents of the pulp takes place, so that portions of the material which have passed up into the plateau will be above the surface of material flowing over the rear portion of the table. In order to facilitate the movement of the minerals onto the plateau its rear edge portion 4: is beveled or inclined so as to merge into the surface Where stratification occurs. The plateau is made of such a height that the rear portion 4 of the pla teau may be given sutiicient inclination to form an easy up grade for the minerals thus avoiding an;7 material retardation of the movement of the minerals outof the` gangue and onto the plateau.

It will be observed that as the surface 'of the table over whichstratification Occurs is preferably substantially level as above stated when treating line sand, although it may be inclined when treating coarse sand as hereinafter explained there Will be no retardation to the movement of the minerals by the vibratory movement of the table until the materials begin to move up the inclined sur face 4. This portion 4 made of such a width thatthe grade is low and therefore the onward movement of tbe minerals is but slightlyretarded. Although this grade is low it is suiiicient to prevent a large proportion of the gangue from moving up ontov the plateau as the force tending to cause the gangue to move with the minerals is the fric tional engagement of the gangue With the minerals. As is Well known the gangue is so fluid and of such relatively low specific gravity as to be affected only to a slight degree b v the vibrations of the table. During the stratification which takes place in the main portion of the table thefine sand Will settle down onto the minerals and to a considerable extent. be mingled therewith, and Will be moved onto the plateau with the minerals. The materials which pass onto the plateau, Which is substantially parallel with the main stratifying surface, are caused to travel across the plateau by the differential vibrations imparted to the table. V'Vhile crossing this plateau opportunity afforded for the mineral to settle down out of Whatever fine sand or gangue is carried on to the plateau with the values. ln other Words, the first plateau forms a surface Where a second and practically complete stratification of the materials will take place, and presents the minerals as a stratum to the second plateau.

`While moving across this plateau 3 the materials are also subjected to a Washing action by Water fed onto the plateau by the launder 5 arranged at the higher side of the table in line with the plateau 3 and With a second plateau 6 as shown in Fig. l. This .second plateau is arranged across the table parallel with the plateau 3 and its front edge forms the mineral discharge edge of the table. The height of this plateau above the surface of plateau 3 is preferably less than the height of the latter above the main or stratifying surface of the table as shown in Fig. 5 asthe material passingl over the first plateau is of less depth than. that of the material on the main or first stratifying surface. This second plateau (l is provided `with a beveled portion 7 preferably of substantially the same grade as the portion l ofY the first plateau. As before stated the materials passing across the plateau 3 are subjected to stratification and also to a stream of Water which will not only remove a considerable portion of the gangue, but will render the remainder quite fluid and therefore less liable to be carried along by the minerals and less affected b v the vibrations of thetable. By reason of the fluidity of the enligne any tendency to move up the inclined portion 7 with the minerals Will be quickly checked. and the minerals when the \Y reach the plateau 6 will be practically free from gangue. vln order to effect a final washing and also to facilitate the movement of the minerals over the discharge edge and into the launder 8 a water trough or launder 9 having adjustable blocks l0 for regulating the distribution of the water on the plateau G is arranged across the front end of the table. As shown in Fig. l 'a middlings launder-1l is arranged on the lower side of the table and substantially in line with the plateau. 3.

lt is preferred that suitably spaced riiiles 1Q should extend the surfaces of the table from the rear to the front end, so as to catch the minerals as they settleonto the surface of the table and guide them in substantially straight lines as they move toward the mineral discharge edge. As before stated the inclined portion l of the plateau 8 will hold back the greater part of the gangue and as the. minerals move up out of the gangue, there will be an accumulation of the latter in the rear of the plateau to a depth approximately equal to the heightlof the riflles at that point. In some cases a considerable depth of gangue immediately in the rear of the plateau may be objectionable and in such cases the rillles may be made tapering from A points along the line a a short distance from the foot of the portion 4. rlhis reduction in height of the riflies will permit of a freer flow df the gangue toward the lower side of lllfi llt `surface of the table intermediate the ends the table. From the points a or from the foot of 'the inclined surface 4 the rifiles taper uniformly so thattheir heights above the surface 'o f the plateaus gradually decrease.

It is preferred in order to insure a proper distribution of the pulp across the surface along which it flows to provide Afa pool a short distance xbelow the upper side of the table. To this end a rffle 13 of considerable height sayone and a quarter inches at its rear endl and taperingto about one-half of anl inch is'arranged parallel with the riflies 12 and extends from the rear end of the table to and preferably slightly overlaps the portion et of the first plateau. As shown in F ig. 6, two, three or more of these relatively high riffles may be arranged at suitable intervals on the stratifying surface of the table.

As shown in Figui my inmprovementl may be applied to what is known as the W'ilfley type of table, having its rifiles arranged `to establish a definite diagonal line of separation between the values and gangue. The table is inclined downward from its upper side, sothat the pulp will flow from the feed trough 1-f across the riiles 15 toward the lower side or tailings discharge edge 'of the table. The riffles 15 which are tapering as described in connection with the construction shown in Fie. 1 are arranged on the surface of the able substantially parallel with the direction of vibration.` The front ends of the riffles terminate in a line forinin an acute' angle with the direction of viration of the table and define the line of separation of the values and gangue. The

of the riffles and the mineral discharge edge 16 forms the washing surface and is supplied with Water from the trough 17.

-It is necessary iii using the present forni of VViltiey table to give it a downward iiiclination from the mineral discharge edge to prevent the gangue from moving toward such edge with the minerals or values. AThis inclination will have a retarding effect on the movementl of the. values, and as the en tire table is so inclined the values are suhjected during their entire travel over the tablcfto such retardiiig or, neutralizing action. By applying my improvement to the Wilfiey table. the latter need not be inclined downwardlv from the mineral discharge edge when treating fine sands. although if may be slightly inclined when treating coarse sands.

ln applying my improvement to the iVilfiey table the plat lau 18 having an inclined or beveled rear portion 19 extends from side to sido of the table at an acute angle to the direction of vibration of the tahle and at such a point along the length of the table i that. practically complete stratification has been effected by the time the material has reached the foot of the inclined portion 19. The plateau 18 onto which water is fed from the trough 17 is made of any suitable or desired width. The second plateau 20 having an inclined or beveled rear portion 21 is arranged diagonally across the table with its rear edge substantially parallel with the rear edge of the first plateau. The surface of this second plateau, which extends to the mineral discharge edge from the final washing surface of' the table, is supplied with water from the trough 17. As in the construction shown in Fig. 1 thcl surfaces of the. plateaus 18 and '20 arc made substantially parallel with the niain or sfratifying surface of the table. The plateau 18 is made of such a height that its surface will be slightly above the surface of the material on the main surface of the table. and the surface of the plateau 2() is slightly above the surface of the material on the plateau 18. but as the depth of material on the latter is less than that of the material on the main surface, the height of plateau "0 above plateau 18 may be proportionally less than the height ot' the latter above the main surface.

It is preferred as described in connection with construction shown iii Fig. l that the riflles 15 should begin to taper from points on line a a short distance in the rear of the edge of the inclined surface 19. so as to prevent the gangue from being dainiiied up against such surface and overflowing onto the plateau 18. It is also preferred that the 4riflles should extend a` short distance onto the plateau 20, and if desired they may extend entirely across the plateau to the inineral discharge edge. as shown in Fig. 8.

When treating fine sand. the fine particles of values have less inertia and doiiot. frictionally engage thesiirface of' a` table as.

effectively as coarser particles and are more readily retarded bv a back flow of ganglio due to the inclination ofthe table. and hence iiiy improved table is especially effective iii treating fine sand. as the surfaces over which the materials move are substantially level and there will he no neutralization of the vibrating effects. As the particles of values in coarse sand have considerable inertia and will effectively engage the surfaces of the table. and lieuce will not be materially rctarded in their moveiiieuts due to the vilaation ot' the table by a slow backflow of the gangue. the table may be slightly inclined downwardly from the mineral discharge edge when treating coarse sand.

.\l v iiiipi'oved table is particularly adapted to the treatment of' orcs having two or more mechanically combined minerals differing iii. specific gravity. As for instance in treating` orcs containing lead and zinc by properly piopoi'tioning the height of the first plateau both minerals will beseparated a differential movement alle from the gangue as they pass up onto the first plateau, and by making the height of the second plateau such that `with a given vibratory action, only the heavier of the two minerals will be caused to move up onto the second plateau, the zinc will remain on the firstvplateau and pass down into the launder 11.

Hereto'fore the separation of the values from the gangue has been effected by'causing the former to move out from under the lighter and overlying gangue by imparting to a table having a slight inclination rearwardly to prevent the gangue from following the valuesI in their approximately horizontal movement. This horizontal separation involves the employment of a table having a comparativey large area, especially in the direction 4of travel of the values as the gradual, the overlying strata becoming thinlner and thinner until it entirely disappears.

It has been attempted to effect a separation of the values from the gangue by interposing an upwardly inclined or wedge like ,surface in the line of travel of the values, such surface extending to the mineral discharge edge so that the values would be separated by a combined horizontal and vertical movement. ln this construction the stratifying surface had a slight vupward inclination so as to hold back a large part of the gan'gue, while the values moved to the foot of theineline which had a steeper inclination in order that the values might move up through and above the gangue at that point. It was found that the movement 'of the values up and across this steeper surface was greatly retarded, causing an accumulation or piling up of the minerals at the foot of the incline and that the movement across l the incline was due very largely to this piling up and that unless the inclined surface Was made quite short in the direction of travel of the values, a comparatively small percentage of the latter would reach the mineral discharge edge. And on the other hand, if the surface were made sufficiently' short to permit of the values in practical quantities reaching the discharge edge the line of separation of the values-from the gangue was so close to the discharge edge that values could not be properly washed and consequently a considerable percentage of gangue was carried over the discharge edge;

ln the operation of my improved table having a plurality of plateaus the surfaces of which are substantially parallel with the main or stratifying surface of the table, the values will travel up the short beveled or inclined surfaces with but little diminution of their rate of movement, and as so'on as they reach the plateau surfacestheir rate of travel isaccelerated and they are quickly moved out ofthe way of oncoming values, The surseparation is rate of travel, so that .reached a plateau cannot retarder check the movement of othervalues movlng up the inv face of the first plateau is but slight-ly above the surface ofthe gangue on the main surface, and a percentage of gangue will be carried with the values onto the first' plateau over which the values are moved by thel differential movementof the table,.the movement of the values being more rapid thanl When the foot of the incline leading to the second plateau is reached, the depth of the overlying gangue is slight. The surface of the second plateau is as before stated only slightly higher than the surface of the material on the first plateau and als the inclined or beveled approach to the top of this plateau is short, there will be only a slight retardation in the movement that of the gangue.

of the values, and there Will be an acceleration of the rate of movement as soon as the values reach the surface of the plateau.

It is characteristic of my improved table that the values move up step by step', and although there is probably a slight retardation of the rate of movement of values while moving up through-the overlying gangue, there is an immediate restoration to normal values which have clined approaches.

In the form of surface extending tables having an inclined to the mineral discharge edge, the values, as they reach the Afoot of the incline operate to push ahead those that have previously arrived at that point as the movements of the latter are retarded. In my improved table, there is no such retardation as will give rise to any substantial accumulation or piling up of the values `at the feet of the inclines.

I claim herein as my invention:

l. A concentrating table, having in combination therewith a plurality of plateaus arranged transverse of the lines of movevment of the valuestoward the mineral discharge edge, land having their surfaces higher than that of the main or stratifying surface and the surface of each-succeeding plateau-,being .higher than that of the preceding plateau, plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

2f. A concentrating table, having in combination therewith a plurality of plateaus arranged transverse of the lines of movement of the values'toward the mineral discharge edge, the surface ofthe first plateau beingabove the normal surface of the material on the main or stratifying surface of 'the table and the surface of each succeeding the front edge of the finalmaterial on the preceding plateau, the front` edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau er plateaus intermediate the main surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the inineral discharge edge.

3. A concentrating table, having in combination therewith a plurality ot' plateaus arranged transverse of the lilies ot' movement of the values toward the mineral discharge edge, the main or stratifyiiig surface of the table and the surfacesI of the plateaus being in different but parallel planes, the front edge of the tinal plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface et' the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratitication of the material and to deliver coir centrates as a .stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

-l. concentrating table. having in conibination therewith a plurality of plateaus a1- ranged transverse et the lines of movement et' the values toward tlic mineral discharge edge, the main or stratit'yiiig surface of the table aiid the surfacesl of the plateaus being in different but parallel planesl and the rear edges et the plateaus being beveled or inclined to facilitate the upward and onward movements ot the values, the front edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or jilatcaus intermediate the main surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the :nincral discharge edge. i

5I A concentratin; table, having in conibinatioii therewith a pluralityy ot' plateaus arranged'transverse of the lines of movement of the valut-s toward tliekmineral discharge edge and having their sui-faces liirlicr than that of the main or stratifying snrfiicc, and the surface. of each succeeding plateau being higher than that of the preceding plateau, and ritlles arranged on the main 0r stratifying surface and extending onto the yplateau next adjacent to the mineral discharge edge, the front edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface ot' the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

6. A concentrating table, having in conibination therewith a plurality ot' plateaus transverse of the lines of n'iovenient of the values toward the mineral discharge edge,

and having their surfaces higher than that of the main or stratifying surface of the table and the surfaces of succeeding plateaus being higher than that of the next preceding plateau, and ritlles arranged on the main or stratifying surface and extending onto the plateau next adjacent to the mineral discharge edge, said ritlles being tapered from peints in the rear of the first plateau, the front edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface of the table and the last plateau [icing adapted to permit of a further stratitit-ation of the material and to deliver cencentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

T. A concentrating table transversely in clined, in combinatlon with a feed trough arranged at the higher side, a plurality of plateaus arranged transversely of the lines of movement of the values toward the mineral discharge edge, ritllcs arranged on 4the main or stratifying surface ot the table and extending onto the plateau adjacent to the mineral discharge edge and a ritllc substantiallj higher than the other ritlles ar 'anged transverse of the direction of flow of pulp across the table at. a suitable point below the point of feed, the front edge of the filial plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate, the main surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge ed e.

8. A concentrating table transversely inclined, in combination with means for feeding material onto the table, a plurality of plateaus arranged transversely of the line of movement of the values toward the inineral discharge edge, ritiles arranged en the main or stratifying surface and extending onto the plateau adjacent to the mineral discharge edge, and a ritlle below the point` of feed and extending from the rear end of the table onto the first plateau, said ritlle bcing higher .than the other ritlles but tapering from its rear end, the front edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface ot' thel table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

9. -X concentrating table inclined transverscly. in combination with means for feeding material onto the table, a plurality of plateaus arranged transversely of the lines of movement of the material toward the mineral discharge edge, rit'tles arranged en the main or stratifying surface and extending onto the plateau adjacent to the* mineral discharge edge and a plurality of suitably spaced riiles below the point of: feed and extending from the rear end of the table onto the first plateau, said riilies bei ing higher' than the other rili'les but tapering from their rear ends7 the front edge of the final plateau of the series forming the mineral discharge edge, and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main'surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the minerai discharge edge.-

10. A concentrating table transversely iuclined, in combination with a plurality of plateaus arranged tra-nsversel)Y of the lines of movement of the values toward the mineral discharge edge', the surfaces of the plateaus and the main or stratifying surface of the table being in di'erent but parallel planes, and receiving launders at the lower ends of the plateaus, the front edge of the final lateau of the series forming the mineral ischarge edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface of the g table and the last plateau being adapted to permit of a further stratification of the material and to deliver concentrates as a stratum to the plateau having the mineral discharge edge.

11'. A concentrating table, having in cour bination therewith a plurality of plateaus arranged transversely of the line of move- :.1

ment of the values toward the mineral discharge edge, the surfaces of the plateaus being in different planes above the main or stratifying surface'of the tabler but parallel therewith, and rililes extending from the.

rear end of thev table to the mineral discharge edge, said ritlles being tapered from points in the rear of but adjacent tothe first plateau, the front edge of the lfinal plateau of the series forming the mineral edge and a plateau or plateaus intermediate the main surface of the table and the last plateau being adapted'to permit ot' afurther-

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