US1279040A - Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation. - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation. Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US1279040A
US1279040A US10654116A US10654116A US1279040A US 1279040 A US1279040 A US 1279040A US 10654116 A US10654116 A US 10654116A US 10654116 A US10654116 A US 10654116A US 1279040 A US1279040 A US 1279040A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
flotation
receptacle
froth
engine
ore pulp
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US10654116A
Inventor
Carl C Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US10654116A priority Critical patent/US1279040A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1279040A publication Critical patent/US1279040A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03DFLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00Flotation
    • B03D1/001Flotation agents
    • B03D1/004Organic compounds
    • B03D1/012Organic compounds containing sulfur

Definitions

  • the present invention is based upon the discovery that the preliminary treatment of the finely divided ore with oil or with oil and an acid may be, in some instances, en-
  • the hot, high pressure gases, containing carbon dioxid are particularly favorable to the flotation of the sulfids in the ore pulp and that they form a froth of substantial consistency amply sufficient to support the sulfid particles until they are floated or skimmed off as concentrates from the surface of the liquid in the flotation receptacle.
  • the practice of the invention also permits the operator to dispense with the air compressor required in flotation by the air bubbling procedure, and avoids the use of any other means of agitation as,
  • the propellers or paddles emof the motive purposes of utility in and about the mining plant, and'the avoidance of the necessity for using oil, acids, or other emulsifier agents to anything like the same extent, if at all, in the preliminary treatment of the ore contributes further to the utility and economy of the invention.
  • A indicates the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, fitted with a piston P for compressing the charge of gas or vapor and air or oxygen.
  • the combustion space 0 is fitted with the usual igniting device indicated at l, and with the usual inlet and outlet valves e, f.
  • the combustion and explosion 'of the charge may be'eflected by any of the well known means familiar to present gas engine practice, and as'such means are well understood in the art, they need not be further described.
  • a spring-loaded relief valve '0 is inclosed in a casing K, which casing is provided with means to water-cool the valve body and, at the same time, to prevent the temper of the spring from being drawn by the heat of the gases.
  • the casing K may have an open top and may be supplied with cooling water through the inlet pipe 0,asuitable overflow 5 being provided, as, for instance, at the aperture z.
  • the spring load of the valve is so adjusted that the valve may yield at the desired period in the stroke of the piston and deliver a corresponding quantity of the high temperature and high pressure gases into the valve body and thence through the pipe connection 1) into the steadying or equalizing chamber R, which serves as a pressure reservoir to supply a constant, body of the hot gases through the pipe at, provided with a control valve 8 to the atomizing or spraying nozzle T which extends well down toward the bottom of the flotation receptacle G.
  • the atomizing or spraying nozzle T is pro. vided with a series of small holes n so arranged as to agitate all of the pulp. These holes may, to advantage, be directed downwardly, but whatever their inclination,'or whether they be horizontal, they should be near enough to the bottom of the tank to effectively perform their agitating function.
  • Encircling the atomizing or spraying nozzle is a cylindrical receptacle F, into which the pulverized ore is fed by means of a supply pipe I having. a funnel J at its upper end. he lower end of the pipe extends nearly to the bottom of the receptacle and preferably should be arranged to surround the nozzle T in order to conduct the ore pulp to the immediate vicinity of the gas issuing from the nozzle.
  • a hood'II is placed above the receptacle F.
  • an emulsifying agent such as oil, or oil and 7 acid, or creosote, or the like, may be associated with'the water to assist in the formation of the froth.
  • the froth z ' is skimmed off into any suitable trough or launder y and may besubsequently treated as required to recoverxthe metal particles suspended in it.
  • the tailings may be removed through the valve outlet m, either continuously or from time to time as occasion may require.
  • the explosive engine is to be operated under such conditions' as to supply to the atomizing or raying device T high temperature gases 0 sufficient pressure to not only overcome the liquid head in the receptacle F, but to thoroughly agitate the ore pulp therein, maintaining its particles in constant suspension,
  • flotation which comprises subjecting ore pulp to agitation by products of combustion supplied thereto in a highly heated condition, under pressure, from the exploded charge 'of an internal combustion engine,
  • the method of concentrating ores by flotation which comprises subjecting ore pulp to agitation by products of combustion suppliedthereto in a highly heated condition from the high pressure gases present in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine during the early part of the stroke of the piston, producing a 'froth thereby in which the mineral particles to be separated are sustained, and removing the froth thus formed together with said mineral particles;
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, and
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, and
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, a
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, a pressure equalizing chamber, and means for discharging high temperature and high pressure products of combustion from the engine early in the Working stroke thereof, and for conveying such products of combustion through the equalizing chamber and discharging the same into the flotation cell to form a froth therein; substantially as described.
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an ex plosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey the high temperature proclucts of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, and an outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth prolosed therein; substantially as described.
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, an
  • outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein, said outer receptacle serving likewise to receive the unfloated tailings; substantially as described.
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, a pressure equalizing chamber in said conduit, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, and an outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein; substantially as described.
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing 0r spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, apipe for supplying ore pulp to said receptacle extending to the vicinity of the atomizing or spraying device, and anouter Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein; substantially as described.
  • Flotation apparatus comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying deviceforming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, a pipe for supplying ore pulp to said receptaclc extending to the vicinity of the atomizing or spraying device. an outer water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle. and for floating the froth produced therein, and means above said ore pulp receptacle through which gases may be conducted away from above the froth; substantially as described.

Landscapes

  • Paper (AREA)

Description

e. c.. won/ms. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CQNQENTRATING ORES BY NOTATION.
AEELICATIQN.F|LEI1 JUNE 28. 1916.
1 79fi4 Patented Sept. 17, 1918.
2 f awvewl'oz %1; {is alien let CARL C. THOMAS, 015 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CO NCENTRATING ORES BY FLOTATION.
eeaoao.
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, CARL C. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Concentrating Ores by Flotation; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact descriptionv of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.
In the selective flotation of metallic sulfids from ore pulp of which they form a part, it has been heretofore proposed to supply to the flotation receptacle a body of air admitted continuously beneath a porous or pervious bottom, whereby amultiplicity of air.
bubbles passing through the pervious bottom and rising through the ore pulp in the flotation receptacle will carry to the surface the flotable sulfids, forming therewith a coherent froth which may then be removed, automatically andcontinuously, or intermittently, as desired. I
In-operations of this general character, it is customary, before subjecting the finely ground ore to flotation, to first bring it into intimate admixture with a suitable quantity of a flotation agent, as, for instance, a suitable oil, supplemented, in most cases, by an appropriate quantity of an acid. It is found that the particles of zinc blende, copper sulfid, or the like, after they have been subjected to this preliminary treatment, may be selectively floated by the air bubbling operation referred to, and that the accom panying gangue will, for the most part, sink to the bottom of the flotation receptacle, as tailings.
The present invention is based upon the discovery that the preliminary treatment of the finely divided ore with oil or with oil and an acid may be, in some instances, en-
. tirely dispensed with, and, in other instances, materially diminished, thereby effecting a saving of all or a large proportion of the oil and acid heretofore employed, by utilizing in the flotation receptacle, in lieu of air, the products of combustion, incident to the operation of an internal combustion engine of the oil or gas type while still in a highly heated condition. For this purpose, the highly heated exhaust gases of such an engine may be employed, that is to say, the exhaust from the gas engine cylinder at the end of the working stroke of the piston but Specification of Letters Patent.
Patented Sept. 17, 1918.
Application filed June 28, 1916. Serial No. 106,541.
I prefer to .employ a portion of the high off during the early part of the working stroke of the piston. These gases are at a high temperature and consist principally of carbon dioxid and nitrogen, together with some steam.
I have ascertained that the hot, high pressure gases, containing carbon dioxid are particularly favorable to the flotation of the sulfids in the ore pulp and that they form a froth of substantial consistency amply sufficient to support the sulfid particles until they are floated or skimmed off as concentrates from the surface of the liquid in the flotation receptacle. The practice of the invention also permits the operator to dispense with the air compressor required in flotation by the air bubbling procedure, and avoids the use of any other means of agitation as,
for example, the propellers or paddles emof the motive purposes of utility in and about the mining plant, and'the avoidance of the necessity for using oil, acids, or other emulsifier agents to anything like the same extent, if at all, in the preliminary treatment of the ore contributes further to the utility and economy of the invention.
In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically, a' form of apparatus adapted to the practice of the invention, said apparatus being shown in sectional elevation.
, In the drawing, A indicates the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, fitted with a piston P for compressing the charge of gas or vapor and air or oxygen. The combustion space 0 is fitted with the usual igniting device indicated at l, and with the usual inlet and outlet valves e, f. The combustion and explosion 'of the charge may be'eflected by any of the well known means familiar to present gas engine practice, and as'such means are well understood in the art, they need not be further described.
A spring-loaded relief valve '0 is inclosed in a casing K, which casing is provided with means to water-cool the valve body and, at the same time, to prevent the temper of the spring from being drawn by the heat of the gases. The casing K may have an open top and may be supplied with cooling water through the inlet pipe 0,asuitable overflow 5 being provided, as, for instance, at the aperture z.
The spring load of the valve is so adjusted that the valve may yield at the desired period in the stroke of the piston and deliver a corresponding quantity of the high temperature and high pressure gases into the valve body and thence through the pipe connection 1) into the steadying or equalizing chamber R, which serves as a pressure reservoir to supply a constant, body of the hot gases through the pipe at, provided with a control valve 8 to the atomizing or spraying nozzle T which extends well down toward the bottom of the flotation receptacle G.
The atomizing or spraying nozzle T is pro. vided with a series of small holes n so arranged as to agitate all of the pulp. These holes may, to advantage, be directed downwardly, but whatever their inclination,'or whether they be horizontal, they should be near enough to the bottom of the tank to effectively perform their agitating function. Encircling the atomizing or spraying nozzle is a cylindrical receptacle F, into which the pulverized ore is fed by means of a supply pipe I having. a funnel J at its upper end. he lower end of the pipe extends nearly to the bottom of the receptacle and preferably should be arranged to surround the nozzle T in order to conduct the ore pulp to the immediate vicinity of the gas issuing from the nozzle. To protect those 0 erating the apparatus from gases a hood'II is placed above the receptacle F. In some instances, an emulsifying agent such as oil, or oil and 7 acid, or creosote, or the like, may be associated with'the water to assist in the formation of the froth.
The bubbles formed by the passage of the gases through the water and other contents of the receptacle F rise in said receptacle as indicated by the arrowsu, and form a froth 2, which supports the burdenof the ore richest in metallic particles, according .to the well-known phenomena of flotation, as practised in connection with mining operations. The particles of ore which do not contain appreciable amounts of floatable mineral descend as indicated by the arrows w and form the tailings The froth z 'is skimmed off into any suitable trough or launder y and may besubsequently treated as required to recoverxthe metal particles suspended in it.
' The tailings may be removed through the valve outlet m, either continuously or from time to time as occasion may require.
It will be understood that the explosive engine is to be operated under such conditions' as to supply to the atomizing or raying device T high temperature gases 0 sufficient pressure to not only overcome the liquid head in the receptacle F, but to thoroughly agitate the ore pulp therein, maintaining its particles in constant suspension,
so that not only a coherent and consistent 7o froth will be delivered at the top of the receptacle F into the body of flotation liquid outside, but also so that the tailings will likewise be lifted and will pass upwardly and outwardly into the receptacle G,-theresure, producing a froth thereby in which the mineral particles to be separated are sustained, and removing the froth thus formed together with said mineral particles; substantially as described.
2. The method of concentrating ores by 9,0
flotation, which comprises subjecting ore pulp to agitation by products of combustion supplied thereto in a highly heated condition, under pressure, from the exploded charge 'of an internal combustion engine,
producing a froth thereby in which the mineral particles to be separated are sustained, and removing the froth thus formed together with said mineral particles; substantially as described.
3. The method of concentrating ores by flotation, Which comprises subjecting ore pulp to agitation by products of combustion suppliedthereto in a highly heated condition from the high pressure gases present in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine during the early part of the stroke of the piston, producing a 'froth thereby in which the mineral particles to be separated are sustained, and removing the froth thus formed together with said mineral particles;
substantially as described.
4. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, and
means for conveying the high temperature and high pressure products of combustion from said engine and discharging the same- :into the flotation cell to form a froth therein; substantially as described.
5. Flotation apparatus,comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, and
. means for discharging from the engine, early in the working stroke thereof, high temperature and high pressure products of combustion, and for conveying such products of combustion to the flotation cell and dis-. charging the same therein to form a froth; substantially as described.
I 6. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, a
' scribed.
7. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a flotation cell or tank, a pressure equalizing chamber, and means for discharging high temperature and high pressure products of combustion from the engine early in the Working stroke thereof, and for conveying such products of combustion through the equalizing chamber and discharging the same into the flotation cell to form a froth therein; substantially as described.
8. Flotation apparatus, comprising an ex plosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey the high temperature proclucts of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, and an outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth pro duced therein; substantially as described.
9. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, an
outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein, said outer receptacle serving likewise to receive the unfloated tailings; substantially as described.
10. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, a pressure equalizing chamber in said conduit, an atomizing or spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, and an outer Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein; substantially as described.
11. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing 0r spraying device forming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at Whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, apipe for supplying ore pulp to said receptacle extending to the vicinity of the atomizing or spraying device, and anouter Water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle and for floating the froth produced therein; substantially as described. Y
12. Flotation apparatus, comprising an explosive engine, a conduit leading from said engine to convey products of combustion therefrom, an atomizing or spraying deviceforming a continuation of said conduit, an ore pulp receptacle at whose bottom the atomizing or spraying device discharges, a pipe for supplying ore pulp to said receptaclc extending to the vicinity of the atomizing or spraying device. an outer water receptacle for receiving the overflow of the ore pulp receptacle. and for floating the froth produced therein, and means above said ore pulp receptacle through which gases may be conducted away from above the froth; substantially as described.
In testimonywhereof, I aflix my signature.
CARL C. THOMAS.
US10654116A 1916-06-28 1916-06-28 Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation. Expired - Lifetime US1279040A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10654116A US1279040A (en) 1916-06-28 1916-06-28 Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10654116A US1279040A (en) 1916-06-28 1916-06-28 Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1279040A true US1279040A (en) 1918-09-17

Family

ID=3346635

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10654116A Expired - Lifetime US1279040A (en) 1916-06-28 1916-06-28 Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation.

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US1279040A (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3394893A (en) * 1964-06-11 1968-07-30 Exxon Research Engineering Co Heat treatment of surface active reagents in flotation
US4477341A (en) * 1981-11-07 1984-10-16 J. M. Voith Gmbh Injector apparatus having a constriction in a following adjoining mixing pipe
US4830737A (en) * 1987-11-16 1989-05-16 Cole Jr Howard W Apparatus and method for controlling the flow of foam at low flow rates
US5019244A (en) * 1987-11-16 1991-05-28 Cole Jr Howard W Method of separating mineral particles by froth flotation
US6032805A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-03-07 Boc Gases Australia Limited Enhanced effectiveness of sulfoxy compounds in flotation circuits
US6036025A (en) * 1997-03-26 2000-03-14 Boc Gases Australia Limited Mineral flotation separation by deoxygenating slurries and mineral surfaces
US20050284818A1 (en) * 2004-06-28 2005-12-29 Patterson Stanley A Column flotation cell for enhanced recovery of minerals such as phosphates by froth flotation
US7537674B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-05-26 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Closed floatation de-inking module for recycled paper
US7544271B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-06-09 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Open flotation de-inking module for recycled paper
US7562777B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-07-21 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Flotation cell injector assembly for use with open or closed flotation deinking modules for recycled paper

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3394893A (en) * 1964-06-11 1968-07-30 Exxon Research Engineering Co Heat treatment of surface active reagents in flotation
US4477341A (en) * 1981-11-07 1984-10-16 J. M. Voith Gmbh Injector apparatus having a constriction in a following adjoining mixing pipe
US4830737A (en) * 1987-11-16 1989-05-16 Cole Jr Howard W Apparatus and method for controlling the flow of foam at low flow rates
US5019244A (en) * 1987-11-16 1991-05-28 Cole Jr Howard W Method of separating mineral particles by froth flotation
US6036025A (en) * 1997-03-26 2000-03-14 Boc Gases Australia Limited Mineral flotation separation by deoxygenating slurries and mineral surfaces
US6032805A (en) * 1997-07-14 2000-03-07 Boc Gases Australia Limited Enhanced effectiveness of sulfoxy compounds in flotation circuits
US20050284818A1 (en) * 2004-06-28 2005-12-29 Patterson Stanley A Column flotation cell for enhanced recovery of minerals such as phosphates by froth flotation
US7510083B2 (en) * 2004-06-28 2009-03-31 The Mosaic Company Column flotation cell for enhanced recovery of minerals such as phosphates by froth flotation
US20090145821A1 (en) * 2004-06-28 2009-06-11 Patterson Stanley A Column flotation cell for enhanced recovery of minerals such as phosphates by froth flotation
US8231008B2 (en) 2004-06-28 2012-07-31 Mos Holdings Inc. Column flotation cell for enhanced recovery of minerals such as phosphates by froth flotation
US7537674B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-05-26 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Closed floatation de-inking module for recycled paper
US7544271B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-06-09 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Open flotation de-inking module for recycled paper
US7562777B1 (en) 2006-06-12 2009-07-21 Narayanasamy Seenivasan Flotation cell injector assembly for use with open or closed flotation deinking modules for recycled paper

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US1279040A (en) Method and apparatus for concentrating ores by flotation.
US2142207A (en) Flotation process
US1328456A (en) Pkocess and apparatus j
US1180089A (en) Process and apparatus for separation of ores by flotation.
US1441560A (en) Buoyant ore separator
US2253566A (en) Recovery of sulphur
US1780821A (en) Process of and apparatus for slaking lime
US1102874A (en) Ore concentration.
US1254173A (en) Process for the concentration of ore.
US720490A (en) Process of reducing ores.
US619094A (en) shedlock
US1528206A (en) Apparatus for treating ore pulp with gas
US1334720A (en) Sulfidation and flotation of minerals
US2916213A (en) Ore beneficiation process and apparatus
US1124853A (en) Ore-concentrating apparatus.
US1341770A (en) Apparatus for mineral separation
US1343313A (en) Samuel h
US1486243A (en) Process for treatment of oil shale and apparatus therefor
US1397815A (en) Apparatus for concentrating ore
US1141377A (en) Ore-concentrating apparatus.
US1311919A (en) Harry vernon seale and wilton shellshear
US1865979A (en) Process for the treatment of ore
US560414A (en) Metal-refining apparatus
US1480060A (en) Metallurgical apparatus
US1081514A (en) Process of treating ores for separating precious metals.