CHUTE DE TRANSFERÊNCIA SECADOR PARA TRANSPORTE DE MINÉRIOS

Description

TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER FOR TRANSPORTING ORES Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a dryer transfer chute applied in the transport of ores in general, being applied to reduce the moisture content of ores during their transport, handling and / or transfer. Background of the Invention

[002] Transfer chutes are equipment used for transporting various bulk materials, typically applied for transporting and / or handling ores along conveyor belts, making the transition between one section of the conveyor belt and another.

[003] The conveyor belt consists of equipment basically made up of an endless belt, which is stretched between two drive drums, one being a drive and the other a return drum, and an internal structure built of rolled profiles and juxtaposed rollers, over which the endless belt slides, enabling the movement of the ore positioned on the belt.

[004] A transfer chute is a piece of equipment commonly used for transferring material between conveyor belts operating in different directions. It basically consists of a funnel, formed by associated steel plates and wear materials, configured to mediate the transfer of material between sections of the conveyor belt.

[005] Conveyor belts and transfer chutes are mostly used to transport ore arriving at shipping terminals by rail or from mine / plant operations. After homogenization in stockpiles and reclaiming of the ore, it passes through conveyor belts and transfer chutes to ships for transport to its final destination. However, not infrequently, the ore transported by this equipment has a considerable moisture content, a characteristic that is detrimental to maritime transport. Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 5 / 14 2 / 10

[006] The moisture content of ores causes serious inconveniences to their maritime transport, such as increased freight costs, since each unit volume of water transported represents additional expenses, as well as penalties for the supplier, since the ore sold is valued on a dry basis. In addition, high moisture content can also reduce the transport capacity of ore, resulting in significant losses.

[007] Nevertheless, it is known that the maritime transport of excessively wet solid bulk cargo can imply a risk of capsizing and sinking of the cargo ship due to the phenomenon known as liquefaction of granular cargo, which occurs when the wet ore is subjected to the ship's rolling, the vibration of the ship's engine and the successive impacts from the sea's weather on the ship's hull.

[008] When the ore has a moisture percentage above a value corresponding to a Flow Moisture Point (FMP) and is subjected to the aforementioned vibration conditions, it can liquefy, causing this viscous mixture to move improperly in the holds of the vessel, to the bottom and / or walls, unbalancing and eventually causing the ship to sink due to the inertial forces acting on the liquefied ore cargo.

[009] Thus, to prevent ores with high moisture content from being transported, government technical standards created the TML (Transportable Moisture Limit), which corresponds to the maximum amount of moisture that the ore must contain to be suitable for transport on ships. In practice, the value adopted for TML is equivalent to 90% of the FMP value.

[010] Thus, it is essential to use equipment and processes that guarantee compliance with TML requirements for ore moisture content before shipment of the material.

[011] In the state of the art, some systems and equipment are known for reducing the moisture content of ore during its transport, such as, for example, Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 6 / 14 3 / 10 the document BR102015027270-7. This document describes a process for reducing the moisture content of ores in conveyor belts and transfer chutes, which comprises the steps of inserting the ore into a closed environment, removing moisture from the ambient air, heating the ambient air, and blowing hot, dry air into the closed environment.

[012] In one of its configurations, document BR102015027270-7 describes a transfer chute for transporting ore, which comprises an air inlet and an air outlet to configure the closed environment. The ore is then subjected inside the transfer chute through an ore inlet, being subjected to contact with hot, dry air blown through the air inlet, in order to remove moisture from the ore through this contact.

[013] However, although prior art. BR102015027270-7 also describes a transfer chute to remove moisture from ores through contact with hot, dry air, this contact is carried out randomly, not comprising mechanisms or systems that direct the hot, dry air in a specific way to increase the removal of moisture from the ore.

[014] Another document, still in the state of the art, consists of WO2005047791A2 which describes a device configured to perform the drying of a particulate material, comprising a structure configured to receive the particulate material and subject it to a kind of cascade in direct contact with hot air to perform the drying during the fall of the material.

[015] The device disclosed in the aforementioned document comprises a structure equipped with a material inlet, a material outlet, deflectors, vibration mechanisms, a hot air inlet, an extraction outlet, and a steam exhaust fan. The material is inserted into the interior of the device structure through the material inlet, entering a treatment zone composed of a plurality of deflectors arranged in series to guide the material inside the structure in a zig-zag cascade. To perform this movement of the material along the deflectors, Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 7 / 14 4 / 10 The structure comprises a vibration mechanism, whereby the material is subjected to heated atmospheric air which is blown in through the hot air inlet and removed through the extraction outlet and steam exhaust.

[016] However, although document WO2005047791A2 also allows for the drying of particulate material by contacting it with hot air, it comprises a robust and complex structure of deflectors with a vibration system to orient the material along the device, without relying solely on gravitational force.

[017] Thus, based on the searches and documents above, it is understood that there is no transfer chute in the state of the art for transporting ores that is capable of efficiently drying ores through their contact with hot, dry air, relying only on gravitational force to move the ore inside it. Objectives of the Invention

[018] The present invention aims to provide a dryer transfer chute for transporting ores that is capable of efficiently removing moisture from the transported ore inside, this chute being dimensioned in a non-conventional way when compared to transfer chutes used only for ore transfer purposes.

[019] The present invention also aims to provide a dryer transfer chute for transporting ores that uses only gravitational force to move the ore inside it.

[020] Finally, the present invention also aims to provide a dryer transfer chute for transporting ores comprising deflectors to guide the ore inside the transfer chute. Brief Description of the Drawings

[021] The present invention is described in detail based on the respective figures: Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 8 / 14 5 / 10

[022] Figure 1 - shows a front view of the ore transfer chute of the present invention.

[023] Figure 2 - shows a side view of the ore transfer chute of the present invention.

[024] Figure 3 - shows a perspective view of the ore transfer chute of the present invention.

[025] Figure 4 - shows a front view of the detail of the transfer chute for transporting ores of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[026] The preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a dryer transfer chute for transporting ores comprising a chute structure comprising a front wall and a rear wall arranged parallel to each other and two side walls arranged parallel to each other and perpendicularly arranged in relation to the front and rear walls defining a space between the walls of the chute structure for the passage of material inside it, the chute structure comprising an inlet opening arranged in its upper portion for material entry and an outlet opening arranged in the lower portion opposite the upper portion for material exit.The transfer chute comprises: at least one set of air inlets arranged in the chute structure to blow hot, dry air into the interior of the transfer chute; an exhaust fan to remove steam from the interior of the chute structure; and a set of deflectors to guide the ore inside the chute structure as it passes through the force of gravity.

[027] The air intake assembly comprises two linearly arranged lateral air intakes on the side walls of the chute structure and a frontal air intake located on the central wall of the chute structure. The frontal air intake is positioned slightly above the lateral air intakes. Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 9 / 14 6 / 10

[028] The baffle assembly comprises two lateral baffles linearly arranged close to the side walls of the chute structure and a central baffle centrally located between the front and rear walls of the chute structure. The central baffle is positioned slightly above the lateral baffles.

[029] The central deflector consists of two flat plates with one of their ends joined to form an inverted V structure forming an angle between the two flat plates that varies between 5° and 85° and the lateral deflector consists of a flat plate fixed at an angle between 20° and 80° in relation to the horizontal axis.

[030] The central air intake of the air intake assembly is linearly arranged with the central deflector of the deflector assembly and the side air intakes are linearly arranged with the side deflectors of the deflector assembly.

[031] The transfer chute of the present invention further comprises a lower air inlet disposed near the outlet opening of the chute structure. The exhaust fan is disposed near the inlet opening of the chute structure. Detailed Description of the Invention

[032] Although the present invention can be implemented in different embodiments, the figures and detailed description that follow show the preferred configurations thereof, on the understanding that the present description should be considered for purely illustrative purposes, not limited to what is illustrated or described herein.

[033] The main approach of the present invention discloses a dryer transfer chute for transporting ores, capable of performing efficient moisture removal from the ore during its passage through the interior of the transfer chute, using deflectors to guide the material during its passage through its interior, combined with hot and dry air inlets in specific locations, substantially increasing the removal of moisture from the ore during passage.

[034] The transfer chute 1 of the present invention comprises a chute structure 2, at least one air inlet assembly 3, at least one assembly of Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 10 / 14 7 / 10 deflectors 4 and at least one exhaust fan 5, as illustrated in Figure 1 and described in detail below.

[035] The structure of chute 2 consists of a conventional transfer chute structure 1, comprising a front wall and a rear wall arranged parallel to each other and two side walls arranged parallel to each other and perpendicularly arranged in relation to the front and rear walls, so as to form a space between the walls of the chute 2 structure for the passage of material inside it.

[036] The structure of chute 2, in its preferred configuration, further comprises an inlet opening 2' located in the upper portion of the chute 2 structure for the entry of material into its interior and an outlet opening 2 located in the opposite portion to the inlet opening 2', i.e., in the lower portion of the chute 2 structure for the exit of material from its interior.

[037] In this way, the material enters the transfer chute 1 through the inlet opening 2' in the upper portion of its chute 2 structure and, by means of gravitational force, moves vertically in a fall along the entire chute 2 structure until it reaches the outlet opening 2 located in the lower portion of the chute 2 structure, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[038] The material entering the inlet opening 2' of the chute 2 structure can be done by means of a conveyor belt or any other equipment capable of moving the material and discharging it into the inlet opening 2'. The material exiting the outlet opening 2, in its preferred configuration, is angled so that the material is not discharged from the transfer chute 1 in free fall, decelerating the material before it actually exits through the outlet opening 2.

[039] By way of example only, Figure 3 illustrates a situation in which the material is received by means of a first conveyor belt 6 which discharges the material through the inlet opening 2' in the upper portion of the chute structure 2 and, after passing through the entire length of the transfer chute 1 by the force Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 11 / 14 8 / 10 gravitational, the material is then dumped onto a second conveyor belt 7 through the outlet opening 2.

[040] To effectively reduce the moisture content of the material as it passes through the chute 2 structure, at least one set of air inlets 3 is provided in the chute 2 structure, so as to allow hot, dry air to be blown into the transfer chute to effectively reduce the moisture content of the ore.

[041] In its preferred configuration, the air intake assembly 3 comprises linearly arranged side air intakes 3' on the side walls of the chute structure 2 and a front air intake 3 arranged on the center wall of the chute structure 2, as illustrated in Figure 4.

[042] Still in its preferred configuration, the front air inlet 3 is arranged slightly above the side air inlets 3', so that the air blown by the front air inlet 3 is placed in contact with the ore before the air blown by the side air inlets 3', so that the hot and dry air comes into contact with the ore at different times and, consequently, increasing the efficiency of removing moisture from the ore.

[043] Finally, in its preferred configuration, the chute 2 structure also comprises a lower air inlet 9, which is arranged close to the outlet opening 2 of the chute 2 structure, in order to make final contact of the hot, dry air with the ore before its exit, promoting moisture removal.

[044] The baffle assembly 4 is configured to orient the ore within the chute structure 2 as it passes through the gravitational force. The baffle assembly 4, in its preferred configuration, comprises two lateral baffles 4' linearly arranged close to the side walls of the chute structure 2 and a central baffle 4 centrally arranged between the front and rear walls of the chute structure 2, as illustrated in Figure 4. Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 12 / 14 9 / 10

[045] Still in its preferred configuration, the central deflector 4 consists of two flat plates with one of their ends joined to form an inverted V structure, such that the angle between the two flat plates varies between 5° and 85°. The inverted V structure allows the material passing through the central portion of the chute structure 2 to be oriented to the sides, so as to disperse the ore to increase its drying, as well as to orient the material towards the lateral deflectors 4'.

[046] The side deflector 4', in its preferred configuration, consists of a flat plate fixed at an angle between 20° and 80° in relation to the horizontal axis, so as to have a sufficient angle for the material to be able to flow through the side deflector 4' only by gravitational force, returning the material to the central portion of the chute 2 structure and thus performing a new dispersion of the same to increase the exposed area of ​​the material and thus increase the efficiency of moisture removal from the material, through a drying operation.

[047] Still in its preferred configuration, the central air inlet 3 of the air inlet assembly 3 is linearly arranged with the central deflector 4 of the deflector assembly 4, while the lateral air inlets 3' are linearly arranged with the lateral deflectors 4' of the deflector assembly 4, in order to subject the ore in contact with the hot, dry air when dispersed by the deflectors, increasing the efficiency in removing moisture from the material.

[048] The exhaust fan 5 of transfer chute 1 has the function of removing the vapor generated by the removal of moisture from the ore during the contact of hot, dry air with the ore. In its preferred configuration, the exhaust fan 5 is located in the upper portion of the chute 2 structure, close to the inlet opening 2', so that the vapor exits from inside the chute 2 structure and does not interfere with the removal of moisture from the ore.

[049] Still in its preferred configuration, the exhaust fan 5 comprises forced ventilation through an exhaust fan or any other component capable of forcing the movement of vapor to the outside of the chute 2 structure, preventing it from Petition 870240016341, dated 27 / 02 / 2024, page 13 / 14 10 / 10 the generated steam comes into contact with the ore inside the chute or impacts moisture removal, or even condenses inside the equipment.

[050] In alternative configurations, the exhaust fan 5 may comprise only one opening, without any type of forced ventilation, so that the vapor is naturally expelled from the chute 2 structure.

[051] Thus, the transfer chute 1 of the present invention combines at least one set of air inlets 3 with at least one set of deflectors 4 inside the chute structure 2 to disperse and guide the material during its passage, so as to intensify contact with hot, dry air when the material is dispersed, directly influencing the efficiency of moisture removal from the material.

[052] The transfer chute 1 of the present invention, also in its preferred configuration, comprises more than one set of air inlets 3 and more than one set of deflectors 4, which are distributed along the length of the chute structure 2. Therefore, the number of sets of air inlets 3 and sets of deflectors 4 will vary according to the length of the chute structure 2.

[053] Having described the dryer transfer chute 1 for transporting ores of the present invention, it is evident that it fulfills the proposed objectives by bringing gains in relation to high efficiency for removing moisture from the ore passing through the interior of the chute 2 structure.

[054] Therefore, it must be understood that the applications and constructive configuration of the dryer transfer chute 1 for transporting ores described are only some of the modalities and examples of situations that could occur, the real scope of protection of the object of the invention is defined in the claims.

Claims

1. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1) FOR TRANSPORTING ORES, comprising a chute structure (2) comprising a front wall and a rear wall arranged parallel to each other and two side walls arranged parallel to each other and perpendicularly arranged in relation to the front and rear walls defining a space between the walls of the chute structure (2) for the passage of material inside it, the chute structure (2) comprising an inlet opening (2') arranged in its upper portion for material entry and an outlet opening (2) arranged in the lower portion opposite the upper portion for material exit, the transfer chute (1) characterized in that it comprises: at least one set of air inlets (3) arranged in the chute structure (2) to blow hot, dry air into the interior of the transfer chute (1); an exhaust fan (5) to remove vapor from the interior of the chute structure (2);and a set of deflectors (4) to guide the ore inside the chute structure (2) during its passage through the gravitational force.; 2. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the air inlet assembly (3) comprises two linearly arranged lateral air inlets (3') in the side walls of the chute structure (2) and a frontal air inlet (3) in the central wall of the chute structure (2).

3. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that the front air inlet (3) is arranged slightly above the side air inlets (3').

4. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflector assembly (4) comprises two lateral deflectors (4') linearly arranged close to the side walls of the chute structure Petition 870230104715, of 11 / 28 / 2023, page 18 / 22 2 / 2 (2) and a central deflector (4) centrally arranged between the front wall and the rear wall of the chute structure (2).

5. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 4, characterized in that the central deflector (4) is arranged slightly above the side deflectors (4').

6. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 4, characterized in that the central deflector (4) consists of two flat plates with one of their ends joined to form an inverted V structure forming an angle between the two flat plates that varies between 5° and 85° and the lateral deflector (4') consists of a flat plate fixed at an angle between 20° and 80° in relation to the horizontal axis.

7. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 6, characterized in that the central air inlet (3) of the air inlet assembly (3) is linearly arranged with the central deflector (4) of the deflector assembly (4) and the side air inlets (3') are linearly arranged with the side deflectors (4') of the deflector assembly (4).

8. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a lower air inlet (9) disposed near the outlet opening (2) of the chute structure (2).

9. TRANSFER CHUTE DRYER (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the exhaust fan (5) is disposed close to the inlet opening (2') of the chute structure (2).

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