US1527076A - Means and apparatus for centrifugal concentration and separation of mixed minerals, metals, etc. - Google Patents

Description

Feb:

MEANS Original Filed 1922 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

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W. H. PECK MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR GENTRIFUGAL CONCENTRATION AND SEPARATION OF HIXED MINERALS, METALS, ETC

Original Filed March 2, 1922 2 Sheets-Shea: 2

:6. A I zz zzo F49? 35 A a w Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcl-z.

WII'JBUR H. PECK, OF I-OS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA MEANS AND APPARATUS I03 GENTRIIUGAL CONCENTRATION AND SEPARATION OF MIXED MINERALS, METALS, ETC.

Application filed March 2, 1922, Serial No. 540,463. Renewed December 8, 1934.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILBUR H. Pacx, of Los Angeles, California, having invented certain new and useful improvements 1n means and apparatus for centrifugal concentration and separation. of mixed minerals, metals,"and metal-bearing mixtures while in a fused state, and my invention consists mainly in the means and apparatus embodying the association and cooperation of parts to effectuate such separation, as herein described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, 'in which- Fig. 1 is mainly a central vertical cross section of my se arator.

Fig. 2 is most y a central transverse plan section of the rotating parts of my separator, shown in Fig. 1, looking downward,

most clearly illustrating the two separatin vessels in section, but with the central fee device illustrated in top plan.

Fig. 3 is mostly a central transverse vertical section of the rotor of my separator, with some of the members of the same shown somewhat relatively moved apart.

Fig. 4 is an outside elevation of an enlarged fragmentary part of the peripheral ring of the rotor, showing the outer ends of water channels and opening throu h which material passes as discharged om the vessel.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal horizontal section of the feed device of my separator.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of Fig. 5 on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a cross section of one of the separating vessels, shown partly withdrawn from the reinforcing casing.

Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal section of a fragmentary part of the reinforcing casing, illustrating the inside ribbed or corrugated. form.

Fig. 9 is a top .plan of one of the separatin vessels inserted in its reinforcing casing.

ig. 10 is a transverse section of on line 1010, of Fig. 9 looking direction of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a cross section of Fig. 9 on line in the Fig. 9 7

11-11 of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In making my centrifugal fused ore separator, I provide means for subjecting such fused ore or materials to the action of contrifugal force of suflicient intensity to-efi'ect separation of the fused mixture into its constituent parts to the extent sought, and accomplish the desired objects while the material is being carried around in rotation and at the same time is also bein flowed in a circumferential direction in t e path of rotation, preferably in a forward or advanced direction with respect to such rotation, and to this end:

I provide a suitable shaft 2 for sup orting and rotating the desired part 0. the separator. This shaft is maintained laterally at its unner end portion by a journal box 3, and at its lower portion by the box 4. It is also suitably lower end in the lower part 0 the box 4, to support and carry the weight of the shaft and its burden.

The box 4 is flexibly supported by a'base plate 5 through an interposed flexible member 6, illustrated in Fig. 1, as a rubber cushion, to permit gyratory movement of the box and shaft, if that should occur during operation.

The box 3 is also flexibly supported by a frame part 7, through means of an interposed yieldable member, as a rubber cushion 8, so the shaft at its upper end may gyrate or vibrate to compensate for any unevenness, if any there may be, in the distribution of the materials fed to the separating vessel. The rubber 8, is clam ed under tlie ring plate 9, which helps to old it in p ace.

The frame is mounted at its lower portion on the base of the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the shaft is provided with a pulley 10, through which rotation may be imparted by a be t from any desired source of supply of power.

Mounted on the upper end of the shaft through means of an attached hub portion 11, is a; disc member 12 preferably comprised of two plates, having one or more stefpped at its 1 Waterchannels 13 between them, radiating from near the central portion of the disc. Near the axis and secured to the lower side of the disc is provided a suitably shaped ring 14 adapted to form'an annular channel 15, suitable to receive water from a water delivery pipe. 16, and to divert the same through openings 17 into the channel 13, between the plates forming the disc, so the water will pass out through the channels and serve to cool the disc during operation. Around the circumferential portion of the disc, which serves as a supporting member, is located a rin 18, as illustrated in the drawings, of desired width, which is carried around the circumferential portion of the disc, and extends upward a sufiicient distance to receive below its upper edge, separating vessels 19, when the same are in place on the disc, as especially illustrated in Fig. 1. The ring is intended to be of sufiicient strength to sup ort the vessels'against the action of centri ugal force during operation, and adapted to otherwise assist in holding them to place.

' The vessels, which may also be termed containers are preferably segmental, and rectangular in form as best shown in Figs. 1 and 9, thereby predetermining and limiting the arc in which the fused materials may flow during treatment and are intended to be of peripheral contour to rest and contact against the inner circumference of the ring 18, when they are in operating position, extending circumferentially lengthways in the are or path of rotation.

There are preferably two or more of the separating vessels employed, which together with their supporting parts and the feed device 32, largely'make up the rotor'of the separator. They are intended to be of as nearly uniform size, weight and containing capacity as practicable in order to as nearly as may be, form a balanced condition of the rotor during operation; They are intended to be of sufiicient thiclmess and strength to serve the purposes for which they are designed, and of height, as above stated, to correspond with the' height or width of th ring, when the latter is in position. Y

At the ends of the separating vessel, there are dischar e passages 21 and 22 respectively, for ischarge of the fused material. These passages are formed by cutting out or suitably owering a portion of the end wall of the vessel, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 9, 10 and 11; the passage 21'approaching to a position nearer the bottom of the ve..- -sel than the passage 22, it being intended for discharge of the metals or separated heavier materials, while the passage 22 is intended for the outflow of the relatively lighter portions of the separated materials.

The passage 21 for discharge of the sep- 'arated heavier materials is intended to be located at the "end of the vessel which follows in th direction of rotation, while the passage for the relatively lighter material leads in rotation. These positions are illustrated in Fig. 2, the separator being adapted to revolve clockwise.

There are passages 23 and 24, formed at the ends of the vessel, communicating with the separate overflow or discharge passages 21 and 22', which are adapted to receive the fused materials as it flows from the vessels, and divert the same through the ports 25 and 26, in the'ring 18, and into appropriate compartments 27 and 28, of a housing 29.

The separating vessels are each provided with a cross bafile 30, which are located nearest the end from which it is intended to discharge the heavier material. These bafiles or cross-partitions extend somewhat above the surface of the fused material in the vessel while in operation, and serve to deflect th surface portion and separated relatively lighter constituents of the fused mixture forward in the path of rotation towards the discharge passa e 22, in the leading portion of the vesse but do not extend to the bottom of the'vessel or con tainer, leaving a passage 31 under their lower edges; as illustrated in Fig. 2, which passages are positioned beneath the surface or normal level of the fused mixture in the container during operation, and serve as passages through which the separated heavier or lower strata of material may flow backward with relation to rotating movement and surface flow of'lighter constituents, to discharge through the passages relatively opposite directions within the limits of the are predetermined by the structure of thecontainer, and for the separate and simultaneous discharge of such portions of the material bein treated.

As means for suppl in fused material to the separating vesse s, provide a feed member '32, located axially between them. This feed member embodies a central part with a chamber. 33, and also has two extended hollow arms 34, of suitable length and size to terminate in osition to deliver fused material passin t rough them to a position near the ba e, and at the side of the bafiie towards the end of the vessel where it is intended to discharge the lighter portion 36, preferably made along and integral with the arms34, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6, and these parts 36 are also rovided with passages 37, as. shown, for the ow of water for cooling the feed member 32.

The coolingpassages 37 connect with a feed water chamber 38 surrounding the feed chamber 33, and there is a'pipe 39, Figs. 1 and 2, by which water may be supplied to the chamber 37. The parts 36 are provided feed member properly to place, as does also a central lower extended gudgeon 42, which seats in the central chamber of a member 43, attached to the disc 12 as illustrated.

In Fig. 1 fused material 44 is illustrated as being introduced into the feed chamber 33, for delivery through the passages 35, in-

to the separating vessels, and at such timeswater flowed through the channels37, will prevent the feed member from becoming greatly overheated.

The separatlng vessels are provided with suitable covers 45, which have an 'appropriately located openin 46, through which the material is delivere into the vessels. The cover is intended to be easily removable when the vessels are taken out of the rotor.

To serve as a reinforcing member to the separating vessel there is provided a casing 47, which is of internal contour and size to closely receive the vessel, serving to strengthen the vessel, and also through its internal corrugation, when in place on the vessel, forms air spaces 48, which reduces heat radiation from the vessel.

As means for assisting to hold the separating vessels inplace and to cover the same to afford a more symmetrical outer surface to the rotor, I provide a disc or ring plate 49, seated on the-upper edge of the ring 18, as shown in place in Fig. 1 of the drawlngs.

' This plate has a suitable size central opening through which access may be had, and to enable introduction of materials for separation. The plate is held securely and removably to place by bolts 50.

Surrounding the rotor of the separator to collect material discharged from the sepa rating vessels, and water used in connection with the same, as above stated, I provide a suitable housing 29 having an inclined bottom and two annular compartments .27 and 28, into which the separated materials are discharged.

These compartments are provided at their tops with covers 51. and 52, and there is located in them water s raypipes 53 and 54 for spraying and coo mg the material as it enters t e compartments passing through the parts 25 and 26, which deliver the respective lighter and heavier materials in their appropriate compartments, to enable the same with the water to pass out through the discharge'openings 55 and 56.

The housing--may be held in place by a bracket 57 or by any desired suitable means.

In operation, fused materials such as mixed metals or mineral bearing ores, matter'orother metal or mineral bearing compounds which are amenable to separation or concentration by centrifugal force, are flowed into the central feed chamber '33, while-the rotor is being operated at a desired speed, and is delivered by the feed member into'the separating vessels, as illustrated, in position near the baffles 30,-on the side of the baffles towards the discl'iarge passage for the lighter material. The distance from the baflle to this dischar e passage is intended to be much greater than the distance to the discharge for the heavier material, as the greater distance .is desired through which to flow the material to enable better separation.

The baflies serve as means to divert the surface flow of the fused material being fed into the vessel, in direction towards the end of the vessel for the discharge of the relatively lighter parts, preventing such flow to pass towards the opposite end. It is intended that this direction of flow shall be with or in direction of rotation, and that the material is therefore not only carried around in rotation in the separating vessel, but at the same time the surface a, portion of the material in the end compartment where it is fed in, is flowing against such rotation to the discharge passage in the forward end of the vessel, while the heavier parts or constituents of the fused mass which are separated, are pre cipitated towards the bottom of the vessel radially, from the axis, where it accumulates in sufficient body to pass under the bafile in the vessel and flow to discharge at the back or followin end of the vessel through the passage w ich is cut down, or approaches nearer the bottom of the vessel - What I regard its new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a centrifu al separator adapted to treatment of fused material having metal bearing constituents, the combination of a container adapted to rotate'said material while in a state of fusion, means for feeding fused material to the container, means within the container for diverting the flow of the surface and bottom portions of the fused material in the container in relatively opposite directions along the path of rotation of the container while se aration is being effected, and means for ischargin separately from the container separated heavier and lighter constituentsof said material, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused material having metal hearing constituents, the combination of a container adapted to rotate said material while in a fused state in structure forming an arc of predetermined extent and having a discharge passage for relatively lighter of said constituents in its portion leading in rotation, and a discharge passage for relatively heavier constituents of said mixture positioned following the above stated passage, means withinthe container for diverting the surfacesportion of the fused material forward in direction of rotation towards said leadin within the limits of tie arc predetermined by the structure of said container, means through instrumentality of the structure of the container and discharge t; for separately and simultaneously disc arging from the container separated relatively heavier and lighter constituents of .said material and means for feeding fused material to the container, substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused material embodying metal bearing constituents, the combination of a container ada ted to rotate said material, means for fee ing/the fused marial into such vessel, :means terial into the container, means for effecting the flow ofthe surface and under rtions of the fused material in the container in relatively opposite directions along the path of rotation of the container, means for separately dischar 'ng separated fused relatively heavier an lighter constituents of the material and means for sup orting and rotating the container, substantially as described. i

4. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused material embodying metal bearing constituents, the combination of a rotatable elongated, segmental separating vessel, means for feedin fused matesurface flow of fused material in the vesse in direction of rotation of'said v, means discharge passage or diverting constituents 0 re atively di erent specific weights'from the vessel, and means for supporting and rotating the vessel substantially as described.

5. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused mineral bearin mixtures, the combination of a rotatab e container in longitudinal structure formin an arc of predetermined extent, ada te to carry such mixture in rotation while in a state of fusion, said container provided with a discharge pasage for the surface part of said fused material positioned in the portion thereof leading in direction of rotation, and with a discharge assage for relatively heavier material in e portion of said container following in rotation a partition in the container positioned tween. said respective discharge passages, having a channel beneath the normal surface, of the fused material during op eration for flow of relatively heavier material, whereby the surface portion of said material is diverted forward in direction of rotation during separation within limitsof the arc predetermined b the structure of said container, and the ottom rtion of the fused material is flowed relatively backward in the path of rotation, means embodymg said for discharge separate y of relative] eavier and lighter constituents of the used material, means for feeding fused material into the container between said partition and the discharge passage leadin in rotation and means for supporting an rotating the container, substautially as described.

6. In a centrifu l separator adapted to treatment of mineral bearin mixtures, the combination of a rotatab e container adapted to carry suchmixtures in rotation w ile in a state of fusion and in structure forming an arc of predetermined extent. for centrifugally efiecti separation of relatively heavier and lig ter constituents of said mixture, said container provided with a passage positioned in its portion leadin in rotation, for dischar of relatively 'ghter constituents of sand mixture, and a passage for discharge of relatively heavier constituents of said mixture in its portion following in rotation, and means constituted by the structure of said container with said discharge pass and a diverting baflle positioned within t 0 container, for efl'ectmg simultaneous flow of heavier and lighter constituents of said mixture in the container in relatively o osite directions in the path of rotation wit 1n the limits of said are predetermined by the structure of the container, and for se arately dischar ing said separated constituents, substantia y as described.

7. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused metal bearing mixture, the combination of multiple segmental vessels having separate discharge passages for separated relatively heavier and lighter constituents of said mixture, means adapted to feed the fused mixture to the vessels, means for supporting and rotating the vessels, a rotatable ring adapted to support the vessels against centrifugal stress, means for dis charging from the vessels separately separated relatively heavier and lighter constituents of said mixture, and means for catching separately said heavier and lighter constituents as discharged from the vessels 15 substantially as described.

'8. In a centrifugal separator adapted to treatment of fused metal bearing mixtures, the combination of multiple segmental rotatable vessels having separate discharge means for the separated relatively heavier 2 mechanism, a ring peripherally encirclin 2 said vessels adapted to maintain the vessel against centrifugal stress, and means for receiving separately said separated relative- 1y heavier and lighter constituents as discharged from the same substantially as de- 30 scribed.

WILBUR H. PECK.

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