Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B03—SEPARATION 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
  • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
  • B03D1/00—Flotation
  • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
  • B03D1/1443—Feed or discharge mechanisms for flotation tanks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B03—SEPARATION 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
  • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
  • B03D1/00—Flotation
  • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
  • B03D1/1412—Flotation machines with baffles, e.g. at the wall for redirecting settling solids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B03—SEPARATION 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
  • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
  • B03D1/00—Flotation
  • B03D1/14—Flotation machines
  • B03D1/1493—Flotation machines with means for establishing a specified flow pattern

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a slurry stream deflecting apparatus for treating particles suspended in a slurry. Further, this disclosure relates to a slurry stream processing equipment. In addition, the disclosure relates to a flotation cell unit.
• Slurry processing apparatuses and equipment such as a slurry stream deflecting apparatus, can be used in minerals processing.
• Flotation cells are typically used for separating valuable material containing particles from particles suspended in a slurry and may include a slurry processing apparatus or a slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• a slurry stream deflecting apparatus for treating particles suspended in a slurry.
• the slurry stream deflecting apparatus is characterized in that the slurry stream deflecting apparatus comprises
• a slurry stream processing equipment for treating particles suspended in a slurry, the slurry stream processing equipment comprising a blast tube and a slurry stream deflecting apparatus according to this disclosure.
• the flotation cell comprises
• a slurry stream deflecting apparatus for treating particles suspended in a slurry.
• the slurry steam deflecting apparatus is characterized in that the slurry stream deflecting apparatus comprises
• the deflecting apparatus may also be called an “impinger” or an “impingement bowl”.
• the purpose of the disclosed slurry stream deflecting apparatus is to treat particles suspended in a slurry.
• the apparatus comprises a slurry stream deflecting plate element, the slurry stream deflecting plate element optionally having a raised outer rim, and a slurry stream guiding basin with walls raised above the outer rim of the plate element.
• the plate element can be suspended inside the guiding basin, and there is at least one opening in the guiding basin allowing the flow of slurry through it.
• the apparatus ideally has a shape that allows particles suspended in a slurry to be mixed in a mixing zone over the apparatus and to settle down in a settling zone surrounding the apparatus.
• the disclosed concept is based on creating a low-pressure zone to suck slurry from beneath the guiding basin during operation. When not in operation, the flow direction will reverse and slurry is free to travel through the bowl making it possible to clean it.
• One of the problems the disclosed solutions aim to solve is stopping short circuiting of slurry to tailings during operation through the drain. Also, a flotation cell floor may be prone to sanding if there is no mixer and cleaning may be facilitated with the disclosed solution.
• the advantage of the disclosed solution is that it may increase internal recirculation inside a flotation cell, which may lead to improved performance. Also, it increases flowrate, and therefore mixing, beneath the apparatus or "impingement bowl". This may reduce sanding of the cell.
• the lower pressure inside the deflecting apparatus will suck in slurry through the bottom during operation preventing short circuiting.
• the slurry sucked in thought the hole gets a "second chance" to collide with particles further increasing recovery.
• the flowrate of slurry sucked upwards through the bowl floor is proportional to blast tube feed rate, hole size and inversely proportional to the distance from bowl center.
• the above-described recirculation pattern may also help clean the bottom of the cell. Sanding of the flotation cell bottom is a known problem in pneumatic flotation cells.
• the apparatus, plate and guiding basin are preferably circular. However, they may be any shape, such as square, polygonal, oval or triangular. Also, the tank could have any shape.
• the slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200) comprises the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) and the slurry stream guiding basin (210), and wherein the apparatus has a shape that allows particles suspended in a slurry to be mixed in a mixing zone (A) over the slurry stream deflecting apparatus, and to settle down in a settling zone (B) surrounding the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the apparatus has a shape that is configured so that the flow of slurry from the slurry outlet nozzle (130) is directed radially outwards and upwards of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200), and wherein the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) comprises a flat or curved surface having a raised outer rim, and wherein the walls of the basin (210) are raised substantially higher than the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element, and wherein the basin has a shape of a bowl or a substantially concave container.
• the at least one opening (211) in the slurry stream guiding basin is a through-hole, through-holes, and/or an aperture.
• the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin is located below the level of the raised outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) when the slurry stream deflecting plate element is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin (210).
• a slurry stream from a slurry outlet nozzle (130) of a slurry blast tube (100) is fed into the slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200), and wherein the slurry stream is a mix of slurry infeed (110) and pressurized gas (120).
• the distance of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus from the slurry stream outlet nozzle (130) is adjustable.
• the distance of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus from the slurry stream outlet nozzle (130) can be adjusted so that the submerged jet half angle ( ⁇ ) is 10 to 45 degrees.
• the angle is not necessarily set, however, the half angle should preferably be between the defined two points.
• the distance between the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) and the slurry stream guiding basin (210) is adjustable.
• the distance between slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) and the slurry stream guiding basin (210) is adjustable so that there is a gap between the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin allowing flow of slurry through the at least one opening (211) in the slurry stream guiding basin.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate (220) is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin (210) having a gap between the slurry stream deflecting plate element and slurry stream guiding basin allowing flow of material through the at least one opening (211) in the bottom of the slurry stream guiding basin, characterized in that the flow of material through the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin is caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus, wherein the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus may be caused by the difference in the velocity of the flow of fluids and suspended solids on the inside and outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200) consists of the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) and the slurry stream guiding basin (210), the apparatus having a shape that allows particles suspended in a slurry to be pulled through the at least one opening (211) in the slurry stream guiding basin from the outside to the inside, wherein the particles suspended in a slurry are allowed to mix with the high velocity slurry stream arriving to the slurry stream deflecting apparatus from the slurry outlet nozzle (130) of a slurry blast tube (100).
• the material for the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) is selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic material. Preferably, steel or ceramic material.
• the material for the slurry stream guiding basin (210) is selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic material, preferably steel or plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene or polyurethane.
• a slurry stream processing equipment for treating particles suspended in a slurry, the slurry stream processing equipment comprising a blast tube and a slurry stream deflecting apparatus according to this disclosure.
• the flotation cell comprises
• a “blast tube” may also be called a downcomer or the like.
• the flotation cell unit includes more than one underflow (400), such as at least two or at least three underflows.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is a flat or a curved plate with a raised rim at the edge of the plate, where the slurry stream deflecting plate is deflecting the flow of the slurry coming into contact with the plate outwards and the raised rim at the outer edge of the slurry stream deflecting plate element guiding the flow of the slurry stream upwards.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is a circular and flat or curved or concave plate with a raised rim at the outer edge of the plate, wherein the slurry stream deflecting plate element is deflecting the flow of the slurry stream coming in contact with the slurry stream deflecting plate element radially outwards towards the outer edge of the plate, and the raised rim at the outer edge of the slurry stream deflecting plate element is guiding the flow of the slurry stream upwards.
• Deflecting the slurry stream from the slurry stream outlet nozzle of the blast tube and guiding the flow of the slurry outwards and upwards promotes mixing of the particles suspended in slurry and air bubbles dispersed in the slurry, which leads to increased efficiency of the flotation cell as the bubbles may be able to contact and adhere to the fine particles in the slurry efficiently, thus improving the recovery of smaller particles, and also promoting froth depth, stability and evenness at the top of the flotation tank.
• a slurry stream guiding basin is used to further direct the flow of the deflected slurry stream upwards, promoting the creation of a mixing zone of particles suspended in slurry and air bubbles dispersed in the slurry above the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin, which slurry stream guiding basin has walls that are raised above the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element, and the slurry stream deflecting apparatus is configured so that the slurry stream coming into contact with the slurry stream deflecting apparatus first comes into contact with the slurry stream deflecting plate element, which slurry stream deflecting plate element deflects the stream of slurry outwards and upwards, and the slurry stream guiding basin guides the flow of the deflected flow of slurry further upwards, promoting the creation of a mixing zone of particles suspended in slurry and air bubbles dispersed in the slurry above the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the slurry stream guiding basin has a radial shape similar to the slurry stream deflecting plate element, which radial shape of the slurry stream deflecting plate element can be, but is not limited to circular, oval, rectangular, square, or polygonal, wherein the similar radial shape of the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin promotes undisturbed flow of the slurry in and out of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus by eliminating potential unrestricted flow deterring reducing vortices that can form if the radial shapes of the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin are substantially different.
• the slurry stream guiding basin is a bowl, wherein the walls of the bowl are raised above the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin are circular.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is a circular and flat or curved plate with a raised rim at the edge of the plate, the slurry stream deflecting plate element is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin, and the slurry stream guiding basin is a circular bowl, wherein the walls of the bowl are raised above the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element.
• the slurry stream guiding basin has at least one opening positioned below the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin, the at least one opening allowing flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry through the at least one opening.
• the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin is at least one opening, or at least two openings, or at least three openings, or at least four openings, in the slurry stream guiding basin allowing flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry.
• the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin is positioned in the bottom of the slurry stream guiding basin below the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin, wherein the at least one opening are equally distributed throughout the bottom of the slurry stream guiding basin.
• the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin is through-hole, through-holes, and/or an aperture.
• the size of the at least one opening selected to be at least 1 cm, or at least 2 cm, or at least 4 cm, or at least 5 cm, wherein the size of the at least opening is selected to promote flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry without blockages, build-up of particles suspended in slurry, or disturbances in the main flow of slurry coming into contact with the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin and the measured distance between the two distinct components of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus is adjustable, so that the slurry stream deflecting plate element can be raised or lowered inside the slurry stream guiding basin, while the at least one openings in the slurry stream guiding basin remain below the level of the raised outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element, to optimally adjust and control the flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry, and there is possibly a gap between the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin.
• the distance between the slurry stream deflecting apparatus and the slurry stream outlet nozzle is adjustable and the measured distance from the opening of the slurry stream outlet nozzle to the surface of the slurry stream deflecting plate element is optimizable so that the submerged jet half angle ( ⁇ ) is 10 to 45 degrees, or 10 to 35 degrees, or 10 to 25 degrees, or 10 to 20 degrees, or 10 to 15 degrees, or 12 to 15 degrees.
• the slurry stream deflecting plate element is suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin having a gap between the slurry stream deflecting plate element and the slurry stream guiding basin allowing flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry through the at least one opening, the slurry stream apparatus configured so that flow of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry is caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus may be caused by the difference in the velocity of the flow of fluids and suspended solids on the inside and outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• the slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry that have settled below the upper limit of the walls of the slurry stream guiding basin have a significantly slower velocity of flow compared to the slurry stream that comes into contact with the slurry stream deflecting apparatus from the slurry stream outlet nozzle.
• the sudden change in direction of the flow and thus abrupt acceleration and high velocity of the flowing fluid causes a pressure difference across the at least one opening at the bottom of the slurry stream guiding basin, wherein the law of conservation of energy relates that the initial pressure, kinetic, and potential energy are equal to the sum of the same after an event.
• the change in velocity causes an inverse change in pressure relative to the change in velocity.
• this difference in the velocity of the flow of fluids inside and outside the slurry stream deflecting apparatus leads to a lower pressure on the inside than on the outside of the slurry stream deflecting apparatus.
• This difference in pressure was observed to cause an influx of slurry, particles suspended in slurry, air bubbles dispersed in slurry, and other dispersed, leached, or dissolved materials in slurry through the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding bowl.
• the at least one opening in the slurry stream guiding basin was positioned below the level of the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element.
• the material of the slurry stream deflecting plate element was selected from steel or ceramic materials and tested to optimally endure wear caused by the slurry and fine particles suspended therein.
• the material of the slurry stream guiding basin was selected from steel or plastic, the plastic being preferably high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the materials were tested to be effectively processable into desired basin geometries and to endure wear caused by the slurry and fine particles suspended therein.
• HDPE high-density polyethylene
• This recirculation pattern may also help clean the bottom of the cell.
• a product, a system, a method, or a use, disclosed herein may comprise at least one of the embodiments described hereinbefore.
• the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.
• the embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.
• reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items.
• the term "comprising" is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts.

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• 2024
  • 2024-06-27 EP EP24185079.1A patent/EP4670848A1/fr active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-06-25 WO PCT/EP2025/067898 patent/WO2026003068A1/fr active Pending

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