US899710A - Apparatus for recovering mineral values. - Google Patents

Description

J. W. BOARDMAN.

APPARATUS FOR REGOVERING MINERAL VALUES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1907.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

lmmm

J. W. BOARDMAN. APPARATUS FOR REGOVERING MINERAL VALUE-8..

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1907. v 899,71 0. Patented Sept. 29, 1908;

HEET 2.

E'Muanfoz J. W. BOARDMAN. APPARATUS FOR REGOVERING MINERAL VALUES.

I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1907.

899,71 0, Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

TIE; 7

TIE: 3

attozmugo UNITED STATES PATNT FFIoE.

JAMES W. BOARDMAN, OF JOSEPHINE, MONTANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO LUCY E.

PHILLIPS AND ONE-FOURTH TO MELISSA FRENCH, BOTH OF HARLEM, MONTANA.

APPAIRIATUS FOR RECOVERING MINERAL VALUES.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, JAMES W. BOARDMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Josephine in the county of Gallatin, State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful ImlpIrovements in Apparatus for Becovering ineral Values; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

T e present invention has reference to a paratus for recovering mineral values. 11 apparatus of this class, in which the tailings from the stamp mill arepassed through the flume into the agitating tanks, the chief difiiculty against which the operators have -to contend resides in the extreme liability of the pulverized iron ore, black sand, or magnetite, as it is variously termed, to accumulate in and fill the spaces between the rifiles in the flume, becoming so densely packed therein as to completely prevent any'settlement of the fine gold which, either alone or in combination with the washings of mercury from the amalgam late, flows directly over the tops of the r' es into the tanks,

rendering the rifiles useless and necessitating their constant cleaning.

It is the main object of this mvention, aside from the recovery of the greatest pos sible percent. of values from the tailings, to provide an apparatus inwhich the above mentioned defect is overcome by utilizing a current of water which is directed into the interior of the spray-box disposed within the fiume and is caused to flow upwardly and outwardly through erforations formed in the top of the sprayox, so as to completely prevent any settlement of the magnetite, which is thus carried by the main body of water in the flume through the head gate and into the separating tanks where it is eventually se arated bothfrom the waste and from t .e values, and finally discharged through a chute into ore sacks d' osed therebeneath, such discharge being e ected automatically atstated periods.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the type set forth in which the actlon is continuous, requiring no stopping in order to clean up the gold and other vaiues from the bowl into which they Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 24, 1907.

and its trap valve.

Patented Sept. 29, 1908.

Serial NJ. 399,041.

finally settle after their passage through the separating tanks. 7

The invention will be readily understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, and its preferred embodiing the "construction of the top of the spraybox and the ipe which extends thereinto. Fig. 5 is an en arged erspective view,.of. the discharge chute and the regulatin sleeve Fig. 6 is a simi ar view of the blow off pipe carried by the bowl. Fig. 7 is a planview of the separating tanks.

Referring more particularly' to the drawings, 1 designates, generally, the fiume, 2 and 3 the separating tanks, 4 the discharge tank, 5 the amalgam bowl, and 6 the main water supply pipe which is provided with a series of branch ipes connected with the several elements agove referred to.

The flume which is directly connected at its forward end to the tank 2, communicates with said tank throu h an opening formed in the adjacent side walI thereof, which opening is closed by a movable head ate 7 whose side edges fit between vertica ribs formed upon or secured to the sides of the finme adjacent said opening.

Disposed within the flume is, the main spray-box 8 which consists, as shown, of a s eet iron box, watertight at all joints and scams and including a perforated metal top 9 upon which a cover 10 of coarse cloth is disposed, the cover being held in place by metal straps 11 arranged longitudinally of the box. Mounted upon the spray-box top are the riflies 12 which are removably secured thereto in any preferred manner and are arranged parallel with'each other and transversely of V the spray-box. The spray-box top carries an annular collar or bushing 13 threaded'inter- I thereby. Fig. 4 is a vertical section, showthat a current of water will be directed. into the interior of the s ray-box, it being under.-

stood that the portion of the spray-box top inclosed by the bushing is cut away, to per mit the entrance of the branch pipe into the spray-box, the water escaping throu h the erforations in the form of vertica jets. hese jets, which are located in the spaces between the adjacent riflles, thus serve to revent the magnetite from settling in and ling such spaces during the time t e appa ratus is in operation, as hereinafter described, the force of the jets being regulated by means of the globe valve which controls the supply of water to the s ray-box.

The separating tank 2, w ich is disposed adjacent the dischar e end of thefiume is likewise provided wit a spray-box16 which is similar, in all essential'details, to the spraybox 8, having, however, no riflles. This s ray-box is arranged at an incline within t e tank, its lower end resting upon the bottom of the tank while itsupper end contacts withthe outer wall thereof, as shown, a current of water being introduced into the interior of the spray-box by means of the branch ipe 17, .the connection between the spray- 'oxand said pipe being similar to that between the s ray-box 8 and pipe 14 already described, t e pipe 17 being provided with a globe valve 18.

Adjacent the lower end of the spray-box 16 an outlet opening is formed in the bottom of the tank, in which openin the threaded upper end of the vertical fee ipe 19 is fitte said pipe extending into t e horizontal section or arm 20 of the tank 3. This lastmentioned tank is approximately L-shaped in cross-section, and is so disposed with reference to the tank 2 that the bottom of the latter forms the partition between it and the horizontal arm of the tank 3, while its inner wall forms the partition between it and the vertical arm 21 of the last-mentioned tank.

The feed pipe 19 extends to within a short distance of a s ray-box 22 which rests upon the bottom of t e tank 3 andiis supplied with water from a branch pipe 23 having a globe valve 24, the spray-box and its pipe connec-.

tion being identical with those above described. The spray- boxes 8 and 22 are each provided with a valved pipe connection 25,"

y means of which the mudmay be drained therefrom; said pipes projecting through openings formed in the bottom of the corresponding tanks. 1

The tank 3 is likewise provided with an outlet opening formed in the bottom thereof, adjacent one end of the spray-box 22, to re ceive the threaded upper end of a feed pi e 26 which extends downwardly through the cover 27 of the amalgam bowl 5 into the interior thereof. The feed pipes 19 and 26 have their upper ends provided with sliding gates 28-and 29 respectively, which move. directly there-across and have stems 28, and 29 which extend through openings formed 'in'the walls of the corresponding tanks,,to

permit the-gates to be operated manually.

Any desired form of guides may be provided to retain the gates in proper position during their sliding movement.

The operation of the apparatus upto this point may be briefly described as follows :1

he tailings, after having been subjected-to a preliminary screening, are fed into the fiume and are carried by the main body of water therein over the spray-box S and through the head gate into theta-11k 2, the gate 28 of which has previously been closed. Owing to the force of the jets of water which issue from the spray-box 8, the black sand or magnetite will be revented from settling.

down and filling tie spaces between the rifiles, which latter remove the fine gold only, owing to its greater specific gravity. The tank 2, in the mean while, has been filled with water from the spray-box 16, and into this tank the tailings are fed through the head gate until they begin to flow out through the waste opening 30 which is formed in one of the walls of the tank above the level of the flume bottom and is provided with a gate 31. At this point, the gate 28 in the bottom of the tank is opened, and the tank 3 filled through the feed ipe 19, the flow of tailings continuing until t e level of the waste opening 32 is reached, this opening being likewise provided with a gate 33. Owing to the agitating action of the spray-boxes l6 -and 22, through which the water is forced in minute jets, the earthy matters and such other lighter waste resent in the tailings, will rise and be discharged through the waste ways, while the gold and the other values,

such as platinum, mercury, and tin, (which appear to more or less extent in the tailings), together with the magnetite gradually settle down to'the bottom of the tanks.

When the tank 3 has been filled, as above described, its gate 29 is then opened, and the bowl 5 filled in a similar manner. bowl, as shown, comprises a cylindrical body portion of heavy glass upon the upper and ower edges of which'the cover plate 27 and bottomplate 34 res ectively, are fitted, said plates being securer together by a series of vertical brass rods 35 which extend at opposite ends through perforations formed there through. The bottom plate, which is cupsha ed, carries a spraybox 36 bolted thereto, an similar in construction to those already described, said spraybox being sup died with water b a branch pipe 37 disposed exteriorly of tie tanks and connected at its lower end to a supplemental pipe 38 com- This .discharge end of the chute;

municating, in turn, with the bowl bottom, which latter has a central opening formed therethrough, to admit the threaded upper end of the last-mentioned pipe. This pipe is likewise provided with a mud-cock 39.

The feed pi e 26, whichextends from the tank 3 throug anopening in the cover plate 27 into the interior of the bowl, terminates at its lower end within a very short distance of the spray-box 36, while the vertical wall of the bottom plate 34 is provided with an internally threaded sleeve 40 in which the inner end of a downwardly inclined blow-out pipe 41 is fitted, said sleeve being formed integral with said plate. At its outer end, the pipe 41 is provided with'a gate 42 whose reduced upper end is pivoted between a pair of cars 43 mounted upon the upper face of said pipe while its lower end is normally engaged y a spring latch 44 secured at one end to the under face of the pipe, the gate being thus held against the mouth of the pipe to prevent the contents of the spray-box from escaping therethrough until the proper time.

The bowl cover is provided, in addition, with a second opening in which the lower end of the vertical outlet pipe 45 for the-magnetite fits, said pipe being carried by the discharge tank 4 which forms a continuation or extension of the tank 3, the last-mentioned tank, however, having no direct communication with the discharge tank. The discharge tank is further provided with a discharge chute 46 in the form of a pipe, in the upper end of which chute is fitted a movable sleeve 47 by means of which the level of the magnetite within the several tanks is regulated. This sleeve carries at its upper end a trap valve 48 pivoted centrally between a pair of cars 49 secured to or formed upon the sleeve, the trap valve having one end enlarged to form a gate 50 adapted, at times, to cover the sleeve end, and its opposite end reduced, as indicated by the numeral 51, said reduced end being threaded and fitted in an o ening formed in a weight 52, the weight hold ng the gate end of the trap valve normally raised to a degree sufficient to permit the magnetite to radually accumulate in the chute 46, whose lower end is normally closed by a'trap valve 53 pivoted in like manner between a pair of ears 54 secured to the chute, and having its reduced end portion provided with a weight 55. It will therefore be ap arent that the ma netite, which is continually being carried up rom the bowl 5 through the outlet pipe 45 into the discharge tank, will gradually collect in the chute until the weight of the mass so collected exceeds that of the weight 55, whereupon the trap valve 53 will open, discharging the magnetite, from which all values and waste have been completely separated, into the ore sacks which are dis osed at'the t the same time that the trap valve 53 opens, the trap valve 48 closes, under the weight of the water thereabove, until the first-mentioned trap valve is again closed whereupon the trap 48 again opens. The gate portion of the trap valve 48 is rovided with a single perforation 56 throng which a small stream of water flows into the chute, to flush the same during the discharge of the ma netite therefrom. The discharge tank 4 is li ewise provided with a water gate 57..

The opening in the bowl cover in which the lower end of the outlet pi e is fitted is closed during the filling of the owl from the ipe 26, and during the removal of the va ues from the bowl, by meansof a sliding gate 58 held in place against the under face of the coverby means of guide grooves 59, and manipulated by a handle 60 which extends through an o ening formed in the de ending flange forme upon said late, in which flange the upper edge of the cy indrical body of the bowl is received.

Prior to the admission of the tailings into the bowl, the gate'58 is opened, and a uantity of bird shot sufficient to half fill the owl is poured thereinto through the pipe 45, the shot being then covered by a layer of cop er filings which are introduced into the bow in a similar manner. The layer of filings, which has a de th of approximately oneinch, is indicated y the numeral 61, and the shot by the numeral 62. v

The tank 2, if desired, may be provided with a vertical partition 63, which is slidable therewithin and is operated manually. The pipe 37 through 'which water is introduced into the spray-box 36, includes a globe valve 64.

From the foregoing descri tion, it will be apparent that the mineral va ues will gradua ly settle from the two separating tanks into the amalgam bowl, while the magnetite will gradually pass from one tank to the other, through the bowl and outlet pi e into the discharge tank, whence it will collect gradu ally in the chute and discharge itself automatically therefrom into the ore sacks. The

mass in each tank will be held in suspension.

by the action of the spray-boxes, so as to a low the lighterparticles of waste, such as the earthy matters, to rise and be carried away through the waste ways, while the mineral values will settle to the bottom of the tanks and Will eventually accumulate in the bowl.

force of the water being sufficient to blowthe mass through the pipe 41, whereupon any free gold appearing in the mass may be removed by panning, while the amalgam is' separated into its constituents in any ordi-- the ore sacks, the apparatus running itself,

so to speak.

Where river sand rather than mill tailings, is treated, the processis the same, in the main, as that already described, the free gold collecting in the bowl, whence it can be readily removed when a sufficient quantit has accumulated, it being possible to watc such accumulation b reason of the formation of the body of t to bowl of glass. It is to he understood, likewise, that a quantity of gold, either in a free state or injcornbination with mercury,'according as river sand or mill tailings are treated, Wlll be caught by the riflles in the flume filter, from which it canbe easily removed in the ordinary man ner.

Where tailings are treated, it will be noted that a great percent. of the mercury present both in the ore and from the washings of the amalgam plate in the stamp mill, will be recovered. In each process, moreover, the magnetite, which has a recognized commercial value at the present time, is completely separated from the waste and values, and is automatically discharged periodically from the apparatus.

What is claimed-is:

1. The combination, in an apparatus, for recovering mineral values, of a plurality of superposed separating tanks communicating with one another; means for discharging comminuted particles into the up )ermost tank; an exteriorly-located bowl disposed beneath the lowermost tank and communicating with the same; means located within each tank and within the. bowl, for effecting an upward agitation of the contents thereof;

means for discharging the heavier constituents of the contents of the bowl; a discharge tank located above said bowl; an outlet pipe one of said tanks; a spray-box located at the bottom of each tank fpr agitating the contents thereof; aseparate bowl located. eXteriorly of the. tanks; a feed pipe connectin said bowl with another of the tanks; an separate means for effecting the discharge of the heavy and li ht. constituents of the contents of said bow.

3. The combination, in an apparatus of the class specified, of a separating tank; an inclined spray-box disposed within said tank and provided with a perforated to a verticlal plate movable towards and rpm the spray-box; and a water-supply pipe 'communicating with the interior'of said spraythrough said receptacle and an agitation of the contents thereof.

4. In an apparatus for recovering mineral values, in combination, a concentrating receptacle; a spray-box disposed within said receptacle and comprising a metal box havposed upon said top, and an internally threaded collarcarried by said top; and a water-supply pine having one end fitted in said collar, to direct a current of water into the interior of the spray-box.

5. .In an apparatus for recovering mineral values, the combination, with a flume, of ,a spray-box rovided with a erfor'ated metal top, a clot 1 cover'mounted upon said top, metal straps for retaining said cover in cover, an internally-threaded collar carried by said top, and a water-supply pipe having one end fitted in said collar, to mtroduce a current of water 'into the,interior of the spray-box and to effect an upward flow thereof betweenthe riflles. g

6. Inan apparatus of the character s ecified, incombmation, a tank; means for eeding matter thereinto; a vertical discharge chute carried by said tank and adapted to receive matter therefrom; and a movable trap valve located at each end of said chute, for opening and closing the same, the upper trap valve having a perforation formed therethrough. g

7. In an apparatus of the character s ecified, in combination, a tank; means for eeding water and comminuted particles thereinto; a vertical dischar e chute carried by said tank; and a pivote trap valve located at each end of said chute for opening and closing the san1e,.the lower tra valve being adapted to open automatical under the weight of the contents of the c ute, to periodically discharge the same, and the upper trap valve being adapted to close when the lower gate is open, said upper trap valve being rovided with a erforati'on to admit '5 water into the chute to flush the same during i the discharge of its contents.

8. In an apparatus of the character specibox to effect an upward flow of water.

ing a perforated metal top, a cloth cover dis-- place, a series .of riflies mounted upon said fled, the combination of a tank; means for feeding water and comminuted particles thereinto; a vertical discharge chute carried by said tank; a movable sleeve fitted in the upper end of said chute, for regulating the level of the particles within the tank; a pivoted trap valve secured to the lower end of said chute; and a pivoted trap valve secured to the upper end of said sleeve, said valves being adapted to'be operated by the contents of the tank.

9. In an apparatus of the character specified, in combination, a plurality of communicating tanks; means for feeding water and comminuted particles into one of said tanks;.means disposed within each tank for effecting an agitation of the contents thereof; a bowl communicating with another of said tanks; means for effecting an agitation of the contentspf said bowl; a blow-ofi ipe and an outlet pipe connected with said owl a discharge tank communicating with said outlet pipe; a discharge chute carried by said discharge tank; and means for periodically effecting an automatic discharge of the contents of said chute.

10. In an a paratus of the character specified, in com ination, a separating tank; means for feeding water and comminuted particles thereinto; a bowl disposed beneath said tank; a ipe connecting said bowl and tank, for fee ing the contents of the latter into said bowl; a blow-off pipe carried by said bowl; a spray-box located in the bottom of said bowl and provided with a perforated top; and a water-supply pipe having one end communicating wit 1 said spray-box to discharge the heavier particles through said blow-oil pipe. i

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. BOARDMAN.

Witnesses:

ANNA V. BAKER, MARY E. BAKER.

Images