US1201053A - Ore-concentrating apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

T A. JANNEY. ORE CONCENTRATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, l9l4.

Patented Oct'lO, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEE7T I.

JANNEY.

ORE cowcsmgnme APPARATUS. APPLICATION LE3 APR.23.1914.

F1 $06 ea;

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- T. A. JANNEY.

ORE CONCENTRATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23.1914.

3$HEETS-SHEET 3.

' 1,201,053. Patented 0c t.10, 1916.

Wieagew I Z71 yea/12 5 n 'i 1770mm; j /v 5 .5 W 2 MA I UNITED STATES on on.

THOMAS A. JANNEY, OF GABIFIELD, UTAH.

ORE-CONCENTRATI NG APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.latented Oct. 10,1916.

Application filed April 23, 1914. Serial No. 833,973.

tration of ores by the oil flotation process,

in which process the ore mixed with water in the form of a freely flowing pulp is agi-.

tated with oil and other reagents, if such are necessary or beneficial, with the result that the metalliferous part of the ore is caused to float when the pulp is removed from the zone of agitation and permitted to assume a condition of substantial quiescence. This process can be carried out in-many different forms of apparatus, but the apparatus forming the subject-matter of my invention possesses several distinct and novel advantages, among which are the facts that the apparatus, embodying a series of agitating chambers or mixers and separation boxes, or spitz-boxes, may all be arranged upon the same level, the energy used for agitating the pulp serving in conjunction with gravity the purpose of moving the pulp through the series of agitation chambers and Spitz-boxes. In my improved apparatus the mixture may also be subjected to successive periods of agitation and flotation in each unit of the series, this being effected by moving the mixture through as many cycles as desired in each unit before it passes to the next unit of the series. An other advantage arises from the fact that when a single agitating chamber and separating box are used for treating a single charge, the pulp may be permitted to circulate for an indefinite period of time through said chamber and box without-personal attention, the floating concentrate being allowed to accumulate in the separating box from which it may be removed intermittently by mechanical means or overflow, or being removed by overflow continuously as formed, such overflow being eifected by a suitably regulated supply of water or pulp. Other advantages in simplicity of structure of the apparatus, durability, and simplicity of operation will appear from the following description and drawings, in which- Figure l is a vertical sectional view through an agitating chamber and separating box. Fig. 2 is an elevation partly'in section of several units connected in series, each unit consisting of an agitating chamber and separating box, the section being through the separating box of the first unit. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4: is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, the agitating vessels being in section upon a plane between the lower and upper agitators.

I will describe the mechanical construction of the apparatus principally with reference to Figs. 1 and 3 for the reason that those figures being in section best illustrate the interior construction. WVhile in my description I refer to the specific form and arrangement of. various parts, it will be apparent that wide variations may be made in the mechanical form of the apparatus without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The agitating chamber 1 is preferably cylindrical in form with an open upper end forming a discharge outlet 2. A rotary shaft 3 extends axially into the interior of the agitating chamber 1. In the form of the device illustrated the shaft 3 is rotated by an electric motor 5 supported upon the top of the apparatus and the lower end of the shaft 3 extends through the bottom of the vessel 1 and is provided with a bearing 6 beneathfand exterior to the vessel 1, which is supported upon a suitable standard 30. Leakagefrom the vessel 1 is prevented'by a stuffing-box 4: of any suitable form. For the purpose of protecting the packing in the stuiting-box 4 and the bearing 6 from the injurious action of any of the pulp which might leak past the stuffing-box, I provide a small opening, or duct, 7 leading throu h the wall of the stuiiing-box above the pac ing therein and opening into an annular chamber 8, which communicates through passage 9 with the lower part of the vessel 1.- A constant supply of'clear water under suflicient pressure passes through the duct 7 into the vessel 1, thus preventing leakage of any. pulp with its contained ore. The

water so supplied through the passage 7 may, under some conditions of operation, serve the additional purpose of maintaining the pulp in the apparatus at the proper level, that is, the water so supplied may be utilized to compensate for the lowering of level that would otherwise be caused by withdrawing the floating concentrate. The bearing 6 beneath the vessel 1 serves to hold the shaft 3 in proper alinement and to prevent vibration or whipping.

Projecting inwardly from the wall of the cylindrical vessel 1 are a plurality of battles 10 which take the form of inwardly projecting ribs. These baffles extend upwardly about midway the height of the vessel 1. Upon the shaft 3, adjacent the bottom of the vessel 1, there is secured an agitator or impeller 12, which preferably takes the form of a series of radiating arms, four in number, as shown in the construction illustrated. The radial arms of the agitator 12 extend outwardly with just sufficient clearance for safety between the ends thereof and the baffles 10. A second agitator or impeller 13 is secured to the shaft 3 just above the up per ends of the baffles 10, the radial arms of the upper impeller preferably being longer than those of the lower impeller and having just sufiicient clearance between their ends and the wall of the vessel 1 to afi'ord safety of operation.

Rotation of the agitators 12 and 13, in conjunction with the baflies 10, serves to impart a violent agitation to. the pulp treated in the apparatus. The lower agitator in conjunction with the bafiies imparts a violent agitation to the pulp, thus thoroughly intermingling the ingredients thereof, and also serves through centrifugal force to impart a tendency to the pulp to rise upon the walls of the vessel. The upper agitator 13 lying near the surface of the pulp imparts further rotarymovement to the same and centrifugal force causes the pulp to rise upon the walls of the vessel and overflow the upper edge of the same as diagrammatically indicated by the dotted line E in Fig. 1. Of course the precise configuration of the upper surface of the pulp will vary according to conditions such as the speed of agitation and rate of supply of pulp to the apparatus. In order to avoid the possibility of any of the pulp being ejected from the apparatus, I preferably inclose the upper end of the agitating chamber 1 with a hood 14 which surrounds the upper end of the agitating chamher and extends a short distance above the same. The upper end of the hood 1-1 may be closed by a cover 15. Adjoining the agitating chamber 1 is a separating box 16, the same preferably taking the form of a spitzbox, or box tapering to substantially a point at its lower end.

The hood 14 is closed by a lower Wall 17 situated beneath the upper edge or discharge opening 2 of the chamber 1, said wall 17 closing the bottom of the annular space between the agitating chamber and hood and forming a launder to receive the pulp. Just above the wall 17 is a discharge duct 18 leading from the annular space 19 to the upper part of the separating box 16. In order to keep the material in the separating box 16 substantially quiet, I provide a deflector or ba'tl'le 20 extending downwardly from the wall of the hood 14 across the opening 18 and spaced suiiicicntlv from the opening 18 to permit free flow of the pulp. I may also provide a second deflector or baffle 21 proecting upwardly across the opening 18 beyond the deflector 20. These deflectors serve to arrest the current of pulp flowing into the separating box and to convey the pulp into the separating box without causing any ma terial disturbance of the pulp therein, thus producing a condition conducive to the formation of the floating concentrate.

At one or more edges the separating box 16 is provided with an overflow lip at substantially the same level as the bottom of the port 18. Said lip is formed by the upper edge of a wall 22, which may be adjustable through a small range, taking the form of a vertically movable gate operated by any suitable means between guides 23. The rate of flow of pulp through the apparatus may be so regulated that the floating material flows over the upper edge of the gate 22 into the launder 24 from which the same may be col lected through the discharge opening 11 as a finished concentrate, or for further treat ment as the case may be. By reason of the duct 18 and discharge lip of the gate 22 being upon substantially the same level the agitated pulp from the agitating vessel is deposited upon the surface of the pulp in the separator box. I find this to be a distinct advantage over apparatus in which the agitated pulp is discharged into the separator box a considerable distance beneath the surface of the pulp in the separator box.

The lower part of the separating box 16 is connected with the lower part of the agitation vessel 1 by means of a. passage 2:). The passage 25 opens into the vessel 1 opposite or above the lower agitator 12, the effect of this location of the opening of the passage 25 into the vessel 1 being that the pulp enters the vessel 1 from the separating box 16 against the outward centrifugal force imparted to the material in the vessel 1 by the agitator 12. That is. the flow of pulp from the separating box 16 into the vessel 1 is retarded, but not prevented, by the agitator 12. For the purpose of regulating the flow of pulp from the lower part of the separating box into the vessel 1 the passage 25 is provided with a regulating valve 26, which may be of any suitable form, such as a plug 1,201 ,oee

valve. Pulp is supplied to the apparatus 29 from the separating or spitz-boxes 16,

communicate with the inlet ports27, which communicate with the next adjacent agitating vessel. When the "apparatus is used as a single unit, either for experimental or practical operations, the inlet port 27 of the agitating vessel 1 is closed after the apparatus is charged with the proper amount of pulp and other ingredients, and the out let port 29 leading from the Spitz-box 16 is also closed until it is desired to discharge the residues or tailings. When operated as a single unit the port 29 is first closed and a suitable amount of pulp w'ith the other necessary ingredients is charged into the apparatus through the port 27, or, if con venient, simply through the open top of the separ ting box, or in any other convenient manner.

In operating upon a single charge, as above stated, it will be understood that both of the ports 27 and 29 are closed and the port 25 is opened to a suitable extent through manipulation of the valve 26. T he charge of pulp supplied to the apparatus is insufficient to fill the same andpreferably the level of the pulp before agitation is started is considerably below the upper edge of the chamber 1. The rotation of the agitators 12 and 13 imparts a violent agitation to the mixture of ore, pulp and oil, thus dissemi hating the oil and causing efiicient contact thereof with the inetalliferous mineral parchamber 1 and discharges the same over the top edge, 2, thereof, as hereinbefore explained. The pulp so forced upwardly out of the agitating chamberfalls in the annular space 19 betweenthe'upper end of the agitating chamber andthe"surrounding hood and by gravity flowsthrough the duct 18 into the separating box 16, the pulp at the same time flowing'from. the bottom of the separating box 16 into the lower part of the agitating chamber 1 by reason of the higher head of water established'in the separating-- box 16 due to the discharge of pulp therein through the duct 18.- A continuous current of pulp mixture upward through. the agitat ing chamber land downward through the separating box 16 is thereby caused.

The operation as described; is to cause the "oiled metalliferous part of the ore to float upon the surface of the pulp in the separating box, the surface of which is sub of pulp through the apparatus.

st-antially quiet. If desired the level of the .pulp in the separating'box 16-may be'so maintained thatthe floating concentrate as formed'will float over the. upper edge of the gate 22 into thelaunder 24. Such regulation of the level of the pulp may be effected in various ways, as by the inflow of water through the passage 17 at the lower end of the agitating vessel.v If desired the surface of the pulp in the separating box 16 may be maintained at a point below the upper edge of the gdte 2i and-the froth asformed maybe removed mechanical means such as skimn' ing. U a

In the operation of the apparatusas a single unit, as above described, the pulp is thoroughly agitated, together with the ma? terials added thereto, and is impelled upward through the agitating vessel 1. whence it flows through the port 18 into the separating box 16, downward through the separating box and back to the agitating vessel 1 through the port 25. The pulp thus moves through a continuous cycle comprising alternate periods of agitation and quiescence. During the period of quiescence the concern trate which has been sufficiently treated floats upon the surface of the pulp inthe separating box 16,'-while the, remainder of the pulp continuesjto circulate through the agitating vessel and spitz-box.- Asthe pulp so circulates floating concentrate gradually separates therefrom upon the surface of the pulpin the separating box;until the material treated is practically exhausted of its valuable content. I have. found that in the operation ofthe apparatus the continuous circulation of the pulp through the separating box and agitatingvess'el takes place without materialinterference with the ilotzntion of the concentrate and that the amount of fioatlng concentrate, upon the surface of the pulp in the spitz-box gradually increases.

A considerable amount of concentrate inav be allowed to so accumulate upon the surface of the pulp in the Spitz-box before it is necessary to withdraw the same. In operation. however, I find it preferable tov remove the float from the surface of the pulp in the 'spitz-box' at intervals or .contlnuously and before too great a volume of float has been built up. As above indicated the removal of the float may be either intermittent and effected by overflow or mechanical means. .or the removal of thcfioat may be effected by maintaining. a suitable supply of water through the port 7, clear water being supplied whenit is desired to treat a definite amount of ore. i

A single unit of the apparatus, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, or several units connectedin series, as shown in Fig.2, maybe used for the treatment of a continuous flow I will first refer to the use of a single unit of the appalOO ratus in operating continuously upon pulp Howmg therethrough. When a single unit of the apparatus is used for continuous treatment of ore pulp, as distinguished. from a treatment of a single charge, the pulp is supplied to the mixing vessel 1 through the port 27, which need not be located precisely as shown in the drawings, but is preferably located somewhere adjacent the bottom of the mixing vessel. Theport 25 is left open adjustment of the duct through the port, i necessary, being made by means of the valve 26. The pulp carrying with it oil and such other ingredients as necessary for the iotation of pulp flowing in through the port 27 is subjected to violent agitation and to an upward force due to the rotation of the agitator 12 and further agitation and up ward impulse is given to the pulp by the rotation of the upper agitator 13. The up ward impulse so imparted to the pulp carries the same over the upper edge of the agitation vessel 1 and into the launder 19 and through the port 18 to the separating box 16 as above described. The surface of the pulp in the separating box 16 being substantially quiet the concentrate floats thereon as soon as the material has received sullicient treatment to produce that ellect. As the rateof discharge through the port 29 is substantially constant, and as the agitator-impeller moves the pulp from the agitation vessel to the separator box at a more rapid rate, the excess pulp so moved to the separator box will return to the agitation vessel through the port 25, and will continue to move through the local circuit or cycle com prising the agitation vessel, separator box and connecting ports until finally discharged through port 29. By suitable adjustment of the valves and speed of the agitator-impeller the amount of pulp which is moved through this local circuit and the number of cycles of movement imparted to it may be regulated. For instance, if the port 29 be considerably restricted and the port 25 be opened to a relatively large extent, a portion of the pulp will circulate through the circuit formed by the agitation vessel, the port 18, the settling box 16, and the passage 25, a considerable number of times before being discharged through the port 29, the amount of such circulation imparted to the pulp. depending as above stated, upon the degree to which the ports 29 and 25 are opened and will also be in fiuenced by the speed of the agitator. Dun ing the operation of the apparatus as de scribed the concentrate will gather as a float upon the surface of the pulp in the settling box 16 and may be removed continuously by regulating the feed through the port 27 in such manner that the floating material will pass over the upper edge of the gate 22 into the concentrate launder 2 L. @r the float may be removed intermittently or continuously by mechanical. means, such as a skimmer, or by successive intermittent adjustments of the pulp level.

In the use of mechanism, such as heretoiore employed in-the flotation process, the pulp passes through. each agitating vessel but once and successive treatments of the pulp are obtained only by increasing the number of agitating vessels. In my improved apparatus if the working capacity of the apparatus is 500 gallons and 100 gallons per minute are constantly fed through the inlet port 27 and a corresponding amount per minute constantly discharged through the Waste port 29, in conjunction with. that taken off as concentrate in the concentrate launder 24, there will constantly be in circulation in the apparatus 500 gallons of pulp. Owing to the fact that the agitators impel the pulp at a rate much greater than 100 gallons per minute, a portion of the pulp will circulate through the agitating vessel 1 and separating box 16 many times before it is discharged through the port 29. In other words, the agitators impel the liquid from the agitating vessel into the spitz-box at a more rapid rate than the pulp can be discharged through the Waste port 29, and the result is that the material not discharged through the Waste port 29 again enters the agitation vessel 1, through the port 25 to again pass through the same circuit until finally withdrawn through. the port 29 as Waste or into the launder 24: as concentrate. While the how of pulp from the separating box 16 through the port 25 into the agitation vessel 1 is somewhat resisted by the outward centrifugal force set up by the lower agitator 12, the head of pulp in the separating box 16 when the pulp has risensuiilciently therein will overcome such resistance and cause the flow of pulp back into the agitation vessel in the course of its circulation through the circuit above described.

When a plurality of units, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, are used in series the several units are coni'iected as shown in Fig. 2, the outlet port 29 of the separating box of the first unit of the series being connected to the inlet port 27 of the agitation vessel of the next unit of the series, the valve 28 serving to control the flow of pulp from one unit to the next. W hen so used in series the pulp is treated in each unit of the apparatus as heretofore described in connection with the single unit shown in Fig. 1, the pulp not only passing through the entire series of units, but being subjected to localcirculation in each unit as above described in connection with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. The extent of local circulation to which the pulp is subjected in each unit of the series is determined as above described. In my improved apparatus when so used in series the pulp instead of being conveyed directly through the several units of the series, as in apparatus heretofore used, is caused to circulate many times through each unit before passing to the next unit of the series, and during such repeated local circulation is subjected to repeated perio ds ofagitation and quiescence for the formation of floating concentrate.

Itwill be apparent that agitating mechanism different from that herein illustrated and described maybe used for agitating the pulp and'causing the circulation described above, and that many ofthe details of construction maybe altered without departing from the principle of my invention.

I. claim:

1. In a concentrating apparatus, an agitation vessel and separating box communicating with each other through upper and lower ports, and agitating and impelling means in said vessel for agitating an ore pulp therein and adapted to move all of said pulp from said vessel into said box and to move the pulp in a circuit through one of said ports to said box and back through the other port to said vessel, said box having an overflow lip below the level of said upper port.

2. In a device of the class described, an agitation vessel and separating box having communication with each other through ports at the upper and lower parts thereof, and means for imparting agitation to an ore pulp contained in said vessel and for moving all of said pulp from said vessel through said upper port into said box and for causing pulp to'circulate repeatedly through said vessel and box, said box having an overflow lip below the level of said upper port.

3.Ina device of the class described, an agitation vessel, means therein for agitating and impelling upwardly an ore pulp, a separating box, an upper duct connecting said vessel and box, said agitating and impelling means being adapted to move all of said pulp from said vessel to said box through said upper duct, and a second duct for conducting pulp back to said vessel from said box, said box having an overflow lip below the level of said upper port.

4. In a concentrating apparatus, a mixing vessel and a separator box having communication ports at points adjacent the top and bottom thereof, and a rotary agitator in said vessel adapted by centrifugal force to elevate all of the ore pulp contained therein and thereby to cause said pulp to flow into said separator box through the upper port,

discharging the same therefronnand ineans for agitatingsaid pulp and for moving all of said pulp from said agitation vessel to 7 said separator box at a more rapid rate than cation ports tlierebetweenat points adjacent the top and bottom thereof,-said vessel having an ore pulp feed 'port' and said box a tailings discharge port, and a rotary agitator insaid vessel adapted to elevate all of the ore pulp supplied thereto and to discharge the same into said box at a more rapid rate than said pulp can'be discharged through said discharge port, thereby causing part of said pulp to circulate repeatedly throughsaid vessel and box, said box having an overflow li'p'below the level of said upper port.

7. In a flotation concentrating apparatus, an agitation vessel having an inlet port for ore pulp, a rotary agitator in said vessel, and a separator box having a discharge lip over which floating concentrate may flow, said vessel and box being connected by aduct above said discharge lip at the upper part of said vessel and opening into said box at substantially the same level as said discharge lip, said agitator being adapted to raise all of the ore pulp supplied to said vessel and to discharge the same through said duct upon the surface of the ore pulp in said box.

8. In a device of the class described, a series of units each comprising an agitation vessel and separating box, the vessel and box of each unit having communication with each other through ports at the upper and lower parts thereof and the box of each unit having communicationwith the vessel of the next succeeding unit, the first agitation vessel of the series having an inlet port for-ore pulp, and means for imparting agitation to the ore pulp in said vessels and for moving all of the ore pulp supplied to each vessel to the communicating box and causing a circulation of pulp through the vessel and box of each unit of the series.

9. In a device of the class described, an agitating vessel having an open upper end, a rotary agitator therein, a launder surrounding the upper end of said vessel to receive ore pulp discharged therefrom, a separator box communicating with said launder, and having an overflow lip below the upper end of said vessel, a duct connecting said box and vessel at a point below said launder, said agitator being adapted to elevate all of the pulp supplied to said vessel and to discharge the same into said box.

10. In a device of the class described, an agitation vessel, having an opening adjacent its upper end, a separating box having an overflow lip below the level of said opening, a rotary agitator adjacent the bottom of said vessel, and a second rotary agitator above said first named agitator, said second agitator being adapted to operate adjacent the surface of an ore pulp contained in said vessel, said rotary agitators being adapted to elevate all of the ore pulp supplied to said vessel and to discharge t e same into said box.

11. In a concentrating apparatus, an agitation vessel andseparating box having communication with each other at the upper and lower parts thereof, a rotary agitator adjabox, said separating box having an overflow lip below the level of theupper communication between said vessel and box.

for impelling all of said ore pulp upwardly through said discharge opening to said box,

said box being conne'ctedwith said vessel by 3 a duct leading from the lower part of said box to said vessel.

13. In a device for treating ore pulp, an agitation vessel and separating box, means for admitting ore pulp to said vessel, :1 wall between said vessel and box, means for main taining the level of the pulp in said box be low the upper edge of said wall, means for impelling all of the pulp supplied to said vessel upwardly and over said wall into said box, and a duct leading from the lower part of said box to said vessel.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

THOMAS A. JANNEY.

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