US1394306A - Flotation-machine - Google Patents

Description

D. P. HYNES.

FLOTATION MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7. 1917.

1,394,306. Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

' 2 SHEETSSHEE? 1.

D. P. HYNES.

FLOTATION MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IULY 1, 1917.

1,394,306, Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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' FLOTATION-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

Application filed July 7, 1917. Serial No. 179,224.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DIBRELL P. HYNES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Im rovements in Flotation-Machines, of WhlCh the following is a specification.

This invention .relates to flotation machines, and more partcularly to those machines of that general type which are espe cially designed for separating granulated valuable minerals from the gangue material of their ores. y

Among the objects of my invention is to improve the construction of flotation machines of the kind referred to, in the several particulars as will hereinafter more fully appear, and to provide in particular an improved form of froth-producing mechanism which will permit the largest possible body of pulp to be treated for aeration, and further cause air above and over the entire exposed surface of the pulp to be entrapped and carried into the pulp for aerating the same and producing an effective and eflicient mineral froth on the surface thereof. A further object of my invention is to provide such a froth-producing mechanism that a maximum number of air bubbles will be formed in the pulp at one time as to effect a rapid separation of the mineral particles from the pulp.

The invention consists further in the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating a flotation machine constructed in ac cor'dance with my invention- 1 Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on line 2-.2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diametrical sectional. view of one of the disks or rotary members of the froth producing mechanism shown in Figs.

1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of one of the perforated disks or rotary members which may be used in my froth-producing mechanism in lieu of the type of d1sk shown in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 5 is aside elevational view of another type of disk or rotary member which may be used in my machine; and

Fig. 6 is a diametrical sectional view taken on line 6-45 of Fig. 5.

{is shown in the'drawings, a flotation machine embodying the features of my invention comprises a tank 10 adapted to contain an ore pulp, which, as understood in the art, consists of an ore previously ground or reduced to a requisite fineness and mixed with water and some reagent in suitable proportlons. Said tank may be made of any'suitable size and material, and is preferably provided with two upright end walls 11, 12 an upright rear or back wall 13, and a curved bottom wall 14, all being connected together. in any suitable manner. For supporting the tank in its operative position, I may provide any suitable supporting means, which, as shown in the drawings, comprises a structure 15 secured to the tank and upon which the same rests. Said tank 10 is preferably divided or separated into two communicating, longitudinal chambers or compartments 16, 17, by an upwardly extending partition wall 18, which extends longitudinally of the, tank and is secured to the end walls thereof. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower edge of said partition wall 18 terminates short of the bottom wall 14 of the tank and provides a passage 19 establishing a free and irect communication between said chambers beneath the lower edge of said partition wall. Manifestly, when an ore pulp is introduced into the tank, the normal level of the pulp will be the same in both of said chamber 16, 17. An inlet pipe- 20, as shown in Fig. 2, opens into the chamber 16 through one of the end walls thereof and serves to introduce the pulp to be treated into said tank. Leading from the bottom of the tank at the opposite end thereof is an outlet pipe 21, through which the demineralized pulp or tailings is discharged.

Located in one of the chambers 16,, 17, and preferably the former, is a froth-producing mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention; and which, as shown, comprises a shaft 22, horizontally arranged and extending longitudinally of the chamber 16 through the endwalls 11, 12 thereof. Said shaft 22 may be journaled in said end walls, or may extend beyond the same and be supported in suitable bearings 23, 23, provided for that purpose exterior to the end walls of said tank. Any suitable form of mom! may be used for rotating said shaft, and the latter may be connected with such motor by any preferred form of transmission mechanism, and in the drawings I have shown, for illustrative purposes, a drive pulley 2d mounted on said shaft for that urpose. On .the portion of the shaft 22 within the chamber 16, I mount a plurality of laterally spaced, rotary members 25, 25, which as shown are in the form of laterally narrow, circular disks. Said disks 25, 25 are keyed or otherwise secured to said shaft so as to be rotated therewith, and are maintained in spaced relation on said shaft by suitable spacing collars 26, 26. As shown in the drawings, said disks 25, 25 are arranged at right-angles to said shaft, but it is of course to be understood that the objects of my invention would be accomplished should the disks be arranged on the shaft in some other angular relation thereto, such as an obtuse or an acute angle or with one or more of the disks arranged at one of such angles and another one or more of such disks being arranged at the other of such angles. Each disk 25 has such a diameter that the same extends edgewise down into the pulp contained in the tank, or, in other Words, is partially submerged in said pulp, so that each disk has a portion located in the pulp contained in the tank and another'portion extending into the atmosphere above the level of the pulp in said tank. Moreover, it is desirable that the disks have such a diameter that the same extend closely adjacent the bottom wall 14 of the tank, so that during the rotation of the disks the pulp contained in the tank will be thoroughly aerated throughout and to its remotest depths and the particles of ore in the pulp be prevented from settling to the bottom of the tank; the bottom wall 14: of the latter being curved to conform to the curvature of the disks for that purpose.

Each circular disk 25 is made foraminated, that is, provided with a plurality of holes 27, 27, which are distributed over the entire surface of the disk and extend transversely therethrough, thereby permitting the pulp to circulate freely through the disks, and thus gain a thorough agitation of the pulp during the rotation of the disks. It is essential, however, that the holes 27 be made large enough to permit a free circulation of the pulp therethrough. Moreover, the disks 25 being arranged to extend edgewise into the pulp, each disk has two substantially fiat side faces in substantially vertical contact wlth the pulp, and due to this, coupled with the fact that the disks are foraminated, the pulp has greater contact therewith, and is more efficiently raised or disturbed and thereby aerated during the rotation of the disks. Then again, by reason of the foraminated disks, the side surfaces thereof are irregular and disconnected or broken throughout, thereby increasing the contacting feature referred to, and permitting such a degree of agitation to be produced during the rotation of the disks that a maximum amount of air is caused to be entrapped fromabove the surface of the pulp and to be carried down into the pulp,

where it is liberated as bubbles to form a mineral froth on the surface of the pulp. In other words, the rotary disks 25 are provided with means enabling air immediately above and over the exposed surface of the pulp to be entrapped and be carried down into the pulp to effectively aerate the same throughout during the rotation of the disks. The fact that the froth-producing mechanism is in the form of a-plurality of disks partially submerged and extending edgewise into the pulp, permits the filling of the tank 10 to the maximum extent, because the disks themselves in total occupy but a comparatively small amount of Ispaoe of the portion of the tank containing the pulp. It necessarily follows, therefore, that my machine may operate upon a relatively large amount of pulp. Then again, by the use of disks arranged as shown, the elliciency of my machine is increased, because the largest possible body of ulp is exposed for aeration, thereby making it possible to produce a large number of air bubbles at one time, with the attendant result of increasing the rapidity with which the mineral particles are separated from the pulp. Moreover, by reason of the construction described and shown, the aeration of the pulp is not only complete throughout its strata adjacent the exposed surface thereof, but the disks themselves serve to carry air down into the remotest depths of the pulp. It follows, therefore, that the aeration of the pulp is manifestly such that an eificient and active mineral froth is produced.

For permitting the mineral froth formed to be readily and easily collected, I provide the partition wall 18 with one or more discharge openings or holes 28, which are located in the partition wall adjacent the normal level of the pulp in the tank. By the term normal level of the pulp, I mean the level of the pulp when the machine is at rest or inoperative. During the rotation of the disks 25, the aerated pulp is discharged into the collecting chamber 17 through the holes 28 in said partition wall. The mineral froth there formed floats on the surface of the pulp in such chamber, and is discharged over the outer edge or lip of said collection chamber into a launder 29.

The required number of disks 25 depends upon the size and capacity of the machine, but in all cases the dlsks are set sufiiciently 1 ,ssagao a close together that the portion of the pulp between the disks will be elevated to some extentabove the normal level of the pulp during the rotation of said disks. Thls lifting action occurs to the greatest degree adjacent the edges of the d1sks wlnch are moving out of the pulp. Manifestly, the disks serve to effect an eli'icient aeration of the pulp during the operation of my machine. When the disks 25 are rotated countor-clockwise, as viewedin the figures of the attached drawings, or, in other words, in a direction away from the partition wall 18, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, the surface of the pulp during such rotation is substantially as shown b the dotted l1nc A m said figure. The sur ace of the pulp, as 1ndicated by said dotted line A, may be termed the Working surface of the pulp, and it will be noted that such surface at the partition wall 18 is raise d above the discharge openings 28 in said wall, thereby permitting a constant and steady stream of aerated pulp to be discharged into the collection chamber 17, where the mineral froth collects. When the disks are rotated in the opposite direction, the pulp is also aerated and the mineral froth collected in the chamber 17 as before. In either direction of rotation satisfactory and efficient results are obtained, and I do not wish to be limited to the rotation of the disks in any specified direction, as actual practice has demonstrated to me that an efficient froth may be obtained by rotating the disks in either direction.

In Figs. 1 and 3, in' particular, I have shown the disks or rotary members 25 as bein made from a wire-mesh material, and the holes 27 of the disk being formed between the meshes of the wire. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the fiat annular body portion 30 of the wire mesh is provided with a centrally disposed opening or hole, through which the spacing collar 26 extends. Said collar is provided in its bore 31 with a key-way slot 32 for the reception of a key for attaching said collar to the shaft. 22. .(See Figsl and 3.) Said collar 26 is also provided with an integral, outwardly projecting annular flange 33, agamst which the inner portion of the wire mesh disk 25 is clam ed by a flat ring 34: and clamp screws 35. or strengthening purposes, an annular, channel shaped ring 36 may be placed about the outer edge of the disk and secured thereto by fastening screws or rivets 37, or by any other suitable means. In Fig. 4, I have shown aforaminated disk 38, made from a piece of sheet metal or the like and perforated to provide the transverse holes 27. Said perforated disk 38 is secured to the shaft 22 by a spacing collar of the same type as used in connection with the wire mesh disks 25. Instead of using a foraminated disk, aS shown in Figs. 1 to 4, I may use a solid disk 39, as shown in Figs. 5 and (3. Said disk 3.) is circular and laterally narrow, and is provided on each of the side surfaces thereof with a plurality of outwardly projecting ribs all). Said ribs 40 are preferably made integral with the disk and distributed over the sides thereof in a staggered relation, as shown. lVhether wire mesh, perforated, corrugated, or ribbed disks are. used in my machine, the operation and results accomplished are the same. The holes 27 in the foraminated disks and ribs 40 in the solid disks serve the same purpose. to wit, causing air from above the level of the pulp to be entrapped and be carried down into the pulp for the purposes above specified. In providing the disks with broken or disconnected side surfaces, whether by holes or severed ribs, as shown, the disks more effectively serve to entrap air during their rotation and carry such cntlrapped air into the remotest parts of the pu p.

Although I have herein shown and described in detail a flotation machine cmbodying the features of my invention, vet it is to be of course understood that the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and that I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated, except as set forth in the appended claims. I

I claim as my invention:

1. A flotation machine, comprising a tank adapted to contain an ore pulp and divided into two chambers, and a plurality of laterally spaced, foraminated, rotary disks partially submerged in the pulp contained in one of said chambers and adapted when ro' tated to entrap air from above the surface of the pulp and to carry it into the same where it is liberated as bubbles to form a froth on the surface of the pulp and to cause the froth to be discharged into the other of said chambers at .a polnt below the upper edges of said disks.

2. A flotation machine, comprising two communicating chambers adapted to contain an ore pulp, a partition wall dividing said chambers and provided with at least one discharge opening therein immediately adjacent the normal level of the pulp in said chambers, and a froth-producing mechanism located in one of said chambers and embracing rotary means partially submerged in the pulp contained in such chamber and adapted when rotated to aerate the pulp contained in said chamber by entrapping air from above the surface of the pulp and carrying it into the same where it is liberated as bubbles and to cause the aerated pulp to be discharged from such chamber into the other of said chambers through the discharge opening in said partition Wall.

3. A flotation machine, comprising two communicating chambers adapted to contain an ore pulp, a partition Wall dividing said chambers and provided with at least one discharge opening therein immediately adjacent the normal level of the pulp in said chambers, and a purality 0t laterally spaced, rotary disks located in one of said chambers and being partially submerged in the pulp contained therein and adapted when rotated to aerate the pulp by entrapping air from above the surface of the same and to carry it into the pulp Where it is liberated as bubbles {and to cause the aerated pulp to be discharged from such chamber into the other of said chambers through the discharge opening in said partition Wall.

4. A flotation machine, comprising two communicating chambers adapted to contain an ore pulp, a partition Wall dividing said chambers and provided With at least one discharge opening therein immediately adjacent the normal level of the pulp in said chambers, a shaft located in one of said chambers and being arranged substantially parallel to said partition Wall, and a plurality of laterally spaced, foraminated, rotary rlislcs mounted on said shaft and adapted when rotated to aerate the pulp and cause the same to be discharged from the chamber in which said shaft is located into the other of said chambers through the discharge opening in said partition wall.

5. A flotation machine, comprising a tank adapted to contain an ore pulp, a partition wall dividing said tank into two communieating chambers, said partition wall being provided with a discharge opening therein immediately adjacent the normal level of the pulp in said chambers, and a plurality of laterally spaced rotary disks located in one of said chambers and being partially submerged in the pulp contained in such cham her and adapted When rotated to aerate the pulp and to lift a portion of the pulp in such chamber to a level above the discharge opening in said partition Wall.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I .afiix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses, this 29th day of June, A. D. 1917.

DIBRELL P. HYNES.

Witnesses:

EUGENE O.-WANN, CLARA L. PEOPLES.

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