Guiding device, flotation tank and flotation method

Abstract

The invention relates to a guiding device configured to guide a slurry supply in a flotation tank of a flotation cell, where the guiding device comprises at least one guiding plate arranged at the flotation cell. The at least one guide plate is arranged obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The invention also relates to a flotation cell and a flotation method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guiding device configured to guide a slurry supply in a flotation tank.

[0002] The invention also relates to a flotation cell comprising at least one guiding device.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a flotation method. Background Art

[0004] There remains a need to improve the overall recovery of flotation cells and to enhance the recovery of coarse particles, i.e. particles larger than 150 μm. Summary of the invention

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a guide device configured to guide slurry supply in a flotation tank of a flotation cell, wherein the guide device comprises at least one guide plate disposed at the flotation cell, wherein the at least one guide plate is disposed obliquely relative to a horizontal plane.

[0006] This enables a guiding device to be achieved which directs the feed stream towards the overflow lip, breaks any potential downward velocity of the feed stream after leaving the feed device, increases the residence time of the particles, and helps to direct the gas bubbles upwards towards the overflow lip, thereby improving the overall recovery.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides a flotation cell for processing mineral ore particles suspended in a slurry, the flotation cell comprising: a flotation tank; a slurry supply device configured to supply slurry into the flotation tank; a gas supplier for introducing flotation gas into the slurry in the flotation tank; and a guide device according to the first aspect of the present invention disposed in the flotation tank, the guide device being configured to guide slurry discharged from the feed device to an overflow lip of the flotation tank.

[0008] Thereby a flotation cell can be achieved which provides a high recovery rate of coarse particles.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention provides a flotation method for treating particles suspended in a slurry, wherein the slurry is separated into an overflow and an underflow in a flotation cell according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0010] Thereby a flotation method can be achieved which provides a high recovery of the mineral ore particles.

[0011] The features of the guiding device, flotation cell and method described above are stated in the independent claims. The features of some other embodiments are stated in other claims. Multiple invention embodiments are also disclosed in the description and drawings of this patent application. The content of the invention of this patent application can also be defined in other ways than those defined in the claims. The content of the invention can also consist of several independent inventions, especially if the invention is examined according to explicit or implicit sub-tasks or in view of the benefits or benefit groups obtained. Some of the limitations contained in the attached claims may be unnecessary in view of the independent inventive concepts. Within the scope of the basic inventive concept, the features of different embodiments of the invention can be applied to other embodiments.

[0012] Various embodiments of the various aspects may include at least one of the following features:

[0013] In one embodiment, the guiding device comprises at least two guiding plates, and the at least two guiding plates are arranged on two different horizontal imaginary planes.

[0014] The advantage is that the guiding effect of the guiding device can be enhanced.

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide plate is disposed below a feed device configured to feed slurry into the flotation tank, thereby ensuring direct contact between the feed and the guide plate.

[0016] An advantage is that the movement of the feed flow towards the overflow lip can be intensified.

[0017] In one embodiment, the directing device is configured to direct the slurry supply within a froth layer in a flotation tank of a froth flotation cell.

[0018] The advantages are that the movement of the feed flow toward the froth overflow lip can be enhanced, any potential downward velocity of the feed flow after leaving the feed device can be destroyed, the residence time of the particles in the froth layer can be increased, and the bubbles in the froth can be helped to flow directly upward toward the froth overflow lip, thereby improving the overall recovery rate of the froth flotation cell.

[0019] In one embodiment, the guide plate is arranged in a surrounding manner below a feed device configured to feed slurry into the flotation tank, thereby ensuring direct contact between the feed and the guide plate.

[0020] The advantage is that the feed flow is effectively and comprehensively directed toward the foam overflow lip and the potential downward velocity of the feed flow after leaving the feed device is slowed down, thereby extending the residence time of the feed in the foam layer.

[0021] In one embodiment, an uppermost guide plate of the at least two guide plates is arranged in a position where it guides a portion of the supply to a guide plate below it.

[0022] The advantage is that the guidance of the supplies can be enhanced.

[0023] In one embodiment, the overall shape of the guide plate is circular, such as a ring, and the guide plate extends obliquely downward from its inner edge to its outer edge.

[0024] An advantage is that the supply can be distributed over 360° around the guide device.

[0025] In one embodiment, the guide plate is arranged at an angle of 10° to 60° relative to the horizontal plane.

[0026] The advantage is that the supply can be effectively guided and its downward speed reduced.

[0027] definition

[0028] This Definition Summary is provided to introduce selected concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description below. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0029] Throughout the specification, "flotation" may refer to the separation of a mixture by adhering to the substances in the mixture at an interface. In flotation, the separation of a mixture may be based on differences in hydrophobicity of the substances in the mixture. Here, "separation" may refer to the extraction or removal of substances from a mixture for use or disposal.

[0030] Furthermore, "froth flotation" may refer to flotation in which froth is used for separation. Here, "foam" may refer to a dispersion comprising a larger volume fraction of flotation gas dispersed as bubbles in a smaller volume fraction of flotation liquid. In general, the froth may or may not be stabilized by solid particles.

[0031] In the present disclosure, a "foam layer" may refer to a layer including foam, or substantially including foam, or consisting essentially of foam, or consisting of foam.

[0032] In the present specification, the slurry being "supplied to the froth layer" may refer to supplying the slurry above and / or within and / or directly below the surface of the froth layer, for example at a maximum of twice the froth depth, or at a maximum of 1 / 2 of the froth depth, or at a maximum of 1 / 5 of the froth depth, or at a maximum of 1 / 10 of the froth depth, and / or to the froth-slurry interface. Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments where the height of the froth overflow lip defines the height of the upper surface of the froth layer, the slurry being supplied to the froth layer may refer to supplying the slurry to the height of the froth collection trough lip in the flotation tank, and / or at a position of maximum froth depth, or at a position of maximum 1 / 2 of the froth depth, or at a position of maximum 1 / 5 of the froth depth, or at a position of maximum 1 / 10 of the froth depth, or at a position of maximum 1 / 50 of the froth depth below the trough lip height.

[0033] Further, "slurry" may refer to a dispersion comprising solid particles suspended in a continuous phase of a flotation liquid.

[0034] Herein, "froth depth" may refer to the thickness of the froth layer in a flotation tank. When using the flotation tank, the froth depth may be measured as the vertical distance between the launder lip and the surface of the slurry in the flotation tank.

[0035] In this disclosure, the foam slurry interface may refer to the layer on top of the slurry where the gas hold-up percentage is between 10-50. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a guide device, a froth flotation cell and a method,

[0038] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the guiding device.

[0039] Figure 2b yes Figure 2a A schematic side view of the guide device shown,

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional detail of the guide device, and

[0041] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another guiding device.

[0042] In the drawings, some embodiments are simplified for clarity. Similar components are marked with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0043] The reference numerals are described as follows:

[0044] 1: Flotation tank

[0045] 2: Foam layer

[0046] 3: Flotation tank

[0047] 4: Guide plate

[0048] 5: Supply device

[0049] 6: Inner edge

[0050] 7: Outer edge

[0051] 8: Upper surface

[0052] 9: Gas supply

[0053] 10: Overflow lip

[0054] 11: Overflow

[0055] 12: Undercurrent

[0056] 13: Support

[0057] 14: Collection chute

[0058] 15: Overflow outlet

[0059] 16: Tailings export

[0060] 100: Guidance Device

[0061] A: Angle

[0062] H: Horizontal plane

[0063] L: Slash

[0064] LE: Lower edge

[0065] M: Central axis

[0066] P: Flat

[0067] OD: Outer Diameter DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Figure 1 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a guide device, a froth flotation cell and a method.

[0069] In one embodiment, the froth flotation cell 1 is configured to process coarse mineral ore particles suspended in a slurry and separate the slurry into an overflow 11 and an underflow 12. The flotation cell 1 may be a mechanically agitated flotation cell or a column flotation unit.

[0070] The flotation cell 1 comprises a flotation tank 3 and a gas supplier 9 for introducing flotation gas into the slurry in the flotation tank 3 to form a froth layer 2 at the top of the flotation tank 3 .

[0071] In one embodiment, the flotation tank 3 is circular. In another embodiment, the flotation tank 3 is polygonal, such as rectangular.

[0072] In one embodiment, the flotation cell 1 comprises a mixing device, such as a rotor-stator type agitator, and the gas supply 9 is arranged in connection with the mixing device. Alternatively, the gas supply 9 may comprise a gas inlet, such as a nozzle or an injector, configured to introduce flotation gas into the flotation tank 3, such as in the case of a column flotation cell.

[0073] In one embodiment, the flotation cell 1 is a froth flotation cell. The flotation tank 3 of the froth flotation cell comprises a froth collecting chute 14 having a froth overflow lip 10 disposed at the upper portion of the flotation tank 3. In one embodiment, the froth overflow lip 10 surrounds the periphery of the flotation tank 3. During use of the flotation cell 1, a froth layer 2 is formed at the top of the flotation tank 3. Froth containing flotation gas bubbles agglomerated with mineral ore particles is discharged from the froth layer 2 via the froth overflow lip 10 into the froth collecting chute 14 and discharged out of the flotation cell 1 as an overflow 11 through an overflow outlet 15.

[0074] The flotation tank 3 further comprises a tailings outlet 16, which is arranged at the bottom of the flotation tank 3 or at a side wall near the bottom of the flotation tank 3. The tailings or underflow 12 is discharged from the flotation tank 3 through the tailings outlet 16.

[0075] The flotation cell 1 comprises a supply device 5. In one embodiment, the supply device 5 is configured to supply the slurry directly to the froth layer 2 formed at the top of the flotation tank 3. In other words, the supply device 5 is configured to supply the slurry to interact with the froth layer 2 above the froth layer 2, and / or in the froth layer 2, and / or within the froth-slurry interface, and / or below the froth layer 2, for example below the froth layer 2 at most twice the froth depth, or at most at the froth depth, or at most 1 / 2 of the froth depth, or at most 1 / 5 of the froth depth, or at most 1 / 10 of the froth depth.

[0076] In one embodiment, the slurry supplied by the supply device 5 contains coarse mineral ore particles, ie particles having a diameter greater than 150 μm.

[0077] A guide device 100 is arranged in the flotation tank 3 , and is configured to guide the slurry supplied from the supply device 5 into the foam layer 2 . Figure 1 The illustrated guide device 100 comprises a guide plate 4 which is arranged at a horizontal imaginary plane P1.

[0078] In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is located in the froth layer 2 during operation of the froth flotation cell 1 and is arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal plane H, ie, inclined downward.

[0079] In one embodiment, the horizontal imaginary plane P1 is below the lower edge LE of the feeding device.

[0080] In one embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the flotation tank 3 is cylindrical and the supply device 5 is arranged on the vertical center axis M of the flotation tank. The guide plate 4 is arranged around the same center axis M in a circumferential form. It should be noted that the guide device 100 and its (multiple) guide plates can be placed in the flotation tank in a variety of alternative ways. In one embodiment, at least one guide plate is arranged to deviate from the vertical center axis. In one embodiment, at least one guide plate is arranged on or near the wall of the flotation tank. In one embodiment, the guide device 100 includes at least one straight or rectangular guide plate. In one embodiment, the guide device 100 includes at least one curved or curved guide plate. In one embodiment, the guide device 100 includes a plurality of guide plates of different shapes.

[0081] The guide plate 4 guides the flotation gas bubbles in the froth layer 2 to flow upward toward the froth overflow lip 10 , slowing down the downward speed of the slurry flow after leaving the supply device 5 and thereby increasing the residence time of the slurry in the froth layer 2 .

[0082] The flotation cell 1 can be operated as follows: by introducing flotation gas into the slurry in the flotation tank 3, a froth layer 2 is formed at the top of the flotation tank 3. The slurry is supplied from the supply device 5, from where it flows onto the guide plate 4 and flows along the guide plate to the froth overflow lip 10.

[0083] The hydrophobic particles contained in the feed slurry adhere to the flotation gas bubbles in the froth layer 2. Such bubble-particle agglomerates are removed from the flotation tank 3 via the froth overflow lip 10 to the froth collection chute 14. The hydrophilic particles then pass through the froth layer 2 to the slurry below it and are discharged from the flotation tank 3 with the underflow 12.

[0084] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the guiding device. Figure 2b yes Figure 2a A schematic side view of the guide device is shown.

[0085] Figure 2a , Figure 2b The guide device 100 shown comprises two guide plates 4 which are arranged at two different horizontal imaginary planes P1, P2. The guide plates 4 are located in the froth layer 2 during operation of the froth flotation cell 1 and are arranged obliquely relative to the horizontal plane H, ie, inclined downwards.

[0086] In one embodiment, the guide plates 4 are arranged in a stepped manner so that the slurry flows from the upper guide plate 4a to the lower guide plate 4b.

[0087] In other embodiments, the guiding device 100 includes three or more than three guiding plates 4 .

[0088] In one embodiment, the different horizontal imaginary planes P1 , P2 are below the lower edge LE of the feeding device.

[0089] In one embodiment, all guide plates 4 provided in the guide device 100 have the same overall shape. In one embodiment, the overall shape of the guide plate 4 is circular, such as annular. For example, each guide plate 4 shown in FIG. 2 has a strip shape that has been bent into the form of an annular truncated cone surface.

[0090] The guide plate 4 may be made of a metallic material, such as steel, or a composite material, such as a reinforced polymer composite material.

[0091] In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is supported on the structure of the flotation tank 3 by at least one support 13 .

[0092] In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is arranged in a surrounding manner below the supply device 5 that supplies the slurry into the flotation tank. The guide device is positioned so that the slurry encounters the guide plate 4 immediately after leaving the supply device 5.

[0093] Figure 3 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-section detail of the guide device. As mentioned above, the overall shape of the guide plate 4 can be circular, such as a ring. In one embodiment, the outer diameter OD of the uppermost guide plate 4a in the guide device is smaller than the outer diameter of the lowermost guide plate 4b in the guide device (see FIG. Figure 1 ).

[0094] In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is configured to be circular in overall shape and has an angular cross-section. Figure 3 The embodiment shown comprises a guide plate 4 having a quadrilateral cross section. The cross section may be, for example, a square, a parallelogram, a trapezoid. It should be noted that in the guide device 100, all guide plates do not need to have the same cross-sectional shape (or size).

[0095] In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is arranged to extend downwardly from its inner edge 6 to its outer edge 7. In one embodiment, the guide plate 4 is arranged to form an angle A of 10° to 60° relative to the horizontal plane. Figure 3 As shown, all guide plates 4 have the same angle A relative to the horizontal plane. In another embodiment, the guide device 100 includes a plurality of guide plates 4 arranged at different inclination angles.

[0096] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the upper surfaces 8 of the guide plates are arranged at the same inclined line L. In one embodiment, adjacent guide plates are arranged to partially overlap.

[0097] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of another guide device. In this guide device 100, the overall shape of the guide plate 4 is rectangular. This embodiment may be advantageous for a flotation tank of polygonal shape, such as a quadrilateral shape. However, a rectangular guide plate may also be provided in a circular or cylindrical flotation tank. It should also be noted that a circular, such as an annular, guide plate may be provided in a polygonal, such as a quadrilateral, flotation tank.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the following claims. Within the scope of the inventive concept, properties of different embodiments and applications may be used in combination with or replace properties of another embodiment or application.

[0099] The drawings and the related description serve only to illustrate the concept of the invention. The invention may vary in details within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A guiding device configured to guide a slurry supply in a flotation tank of a flotation cell, wherein the guiding device comprises: - at least one guide plate, arranged at the flotation cell, wherein The at least one guide plate is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

2. The guiding device according to claim 1, comprising: At least two guide plates are arranged on two different horizontal imaginary planes.

3. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - All said guide plates have the same overall shape.

4. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - The overall shape of the guide plate is circular, such as ring-shaped.

5. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - One or more of the guide plates are arranged in a circumferential manner around the vertical center axis of the flotation tank.

6. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - One or more guide plates are arranged in a surrounding manner and below a supply device configured to supply slurry into the flotation tank.

7. The guiding device according to claim 6, wherein: - the flotation cell is a froth flotation cell, and wherein, - The supply device is configured to supply slurry to the foam layer.

8. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - The guide plate has a rectangular shape.

9. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - the flotation cell is a froth flotation cell, and wherein, The at least one guide plate is arranged in the froth layer such that the at least two guide plates are located in the froth layer during operation of the flotation cell.

10. The guiding device according to claim 2, wherein: - an uppermost guide plate of the at least two guide plates has a smaller outer diameter than a lowermost guide plate of the at least two guide plates, and the uppermost guide plate is configured to guide at least a portion of the supply to the lowermost guide plate.

11. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide plate extends obliquely downward from its inner edge to its outer edge.

12. The guiding device according to claim 1, wherein: - One or more of the guide plates are arranged at an angle of 10° to 60° relative to the horizontal plane.

13. The guiding device according to claim 2, wherein: - The guide plates have the same angle to the horizontal plane.

14. The guiding device according to claim 13, wherein: - The upper surfaces of the guide plates are arranged on the same oblique line.

15. A flotation cell for treating mineral ore particles suspended in a slurry, the flotation cell comprising: - flotation tanks, - a supply device configured to supply slurry into the flotation tank, - a gas supplier for introducing flotation gas into the slurry in the flotation tank, and - a guiding device configured to guide the slurry supply in the flotation tank, wherein the guiding device comprises: - at least one guide plate, arranged at the flotation cell, wherein - the at least one guide plate is arranged obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane, and wherein - The guiding device is configured to guide the slurry discharged from the supply device towards the overflow lip of the flotation tank.

16. A flotation method for treating particles suspended in a slurry, wherein: The slurry is separated into overflow and underflow in a flotation tank, and the flotation tank comprises: - flotation tanks, - a supply device configured to supply slurry into the flotation tank, - a gas supplier for introducing flotation gas into the slurry in the flotation tank, and - a guiding device configured to guide the slurry supply in the flotation tank, wherein the guiding device comprises: - at least one guide plate, arranged at the flotation cell, wherein - the at least one guide plate is arranged obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane, and wherein - The guiding device is configured to guide the slurry discharged from the supply device towards the overflow lip of the flotation tank.

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