Slurry supply device, flotation unit, flotation facility and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a slurry supply device, a flotation unit, a flotation plant and a method. The slurry supply device (100) includes a plurality of downcomers to mix a flotation gas (230) with slurry from an input slurry stream (200) to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and to supply the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) into a tank of a flotation unit. The plurality of downcomers are positioned in sectors (130) around a center (202), each of the sectors comprising two or more downcomers (110, 120) of the plurality of downcomers, the two or more downcomers being at different distances from the center.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to flotation and mineral processing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to separating minerals from their ores by flotation. Background Art

[0002] Over the past two decades, the use of high intensity flotation cells, commonly referred to as "Jameson cells", has become increasingly common in mineral processing. Similar technology is also used in a newer family of flotation cells, commonly referred to as "Concorde cells".

[0003] However, various ores contain large amounts of material, such as serpentinized gangue minerals (e.g., lizardite, antigorite) and talc, which may cover valuable mineral particles (e.g., nickel sulfide) and prevent them from contacting the bubbles during flotation. In order to try and improve flotation efficiency, the slurry concentration is reduced to a significant volume of slime, for example, at 7% solids. The cost of processing such material through conventional machine-mixed tanks is huge and almost uneconomical.

[0004] In view of the above, one may wish to develop new solutions related to flotation cells. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of providing this summary is to introduce a selection of multiple concepts in a simplified form, which will be 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 limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] The present solutions can be used in any flotation cell, such as a Jameson cell and / or a Concord cell, where a combined flow of slurry and air is introduced into the tank of the flotation cell through one or more columns called "downcomers". These solutions are particularly suitable for rougher cell flotation cells.

[0007] In this specification, "flotation" may refer to the separation of a mixture by adhering substances in the mixture to an interface. In flotation, the separation of a mixture may be based on the difference in hydrophobicity of the substances in the mixture. Here, "separation" may refer to the extraction or removal of a substance from a mixture for use or disposal.

[0008] In particular, the solution disclosed herein can be used for froth flotation, wherein "froth flotation" may refer to such flotation, wherein froth is used for separation. Here, "foam" may refer to a dispersion comprising a larger volume portion of flotation gas dispersed in a smaller volume portion of flotation liquid in the form of bubbles. Typically, the froth can be stabilized with or without the aid of solid particles. In the froth, the average diameter of the flotation bubbles is typically greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm or 1 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the average distance between adjacent flotation bubbles in a froth that is not stabilized by solid particles is typically less than or equal to a few tens of microns, for example, less than or equal to 50 μm or 30 μm. Of course, in a froth stabilized by solid particles, the average distance between adjacent flotation bubbles increases with the increase in the average size and number of solid particles.

[0009] In the present disclosure, a "unit" may refer to a device adapted or configured to perform at least one specific process. Of course, a "flotation unit" may refer to a unit adapted or configured to flotate a material, such as a flotation machine. A unit may generally include one or more components, and each of the one or more components may be classified as an arrangement belonging to the unit.

[0010] A "device" of a unit configured to perform a process may refer to a set of components of the unit that are suitable or configured to perform at least one specific sub-process of the process. Thus, a "unit comprising a device" may refer to the unit comprising a plurality of components belonging to the device. In general, a device may include one or more of any components, such as one or more mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and / or hydraulic components, that are necessary and / or beneficial for performing its specific sub-process.

[0011] Throughout the disclosure, "slurry" may refer to a dispersion including solid particles suspended in a continuous phase of a flotation fluid. As used herein, "flotation fluid" may refer to any liquid substance or mixture suitable for flotation. Although water or aqueous solutions are often used as flotation fluids in practical applications, other types of liquid substances may also be used as known to those skilled in the art. Thus, a "slurry supply device" may refer to a component or device of a component of a flotation cell adapted or configured to supply slurry to a tank of the flotation cell.

[0012] In this specification, "flotation gas" may refer to any gaseous substance suitable for flotation, such as air or pressurized air. Although air is often used as the flotation gas in practical applications, other types of gaseous substances, such as argon, nitrogen, hydrogen or mixtures thereof, may also be used, as known to those skilled in the art. In addition, "tank" may refer to a container suitable for or configured to contain a fluid (e.g., a liquid and / or a slurry).

[0013] According to a first aspect, a slurry supply device is provided. The slurry supply device includes a plurality of downcomers for mixing flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry flow to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture. The plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors around a center, each sector including two or more downcomers of the plurality of downcomers, and the two or more downcomers are at different distances from the center.

[0014] In one embodiment, two or more of the plurality of downcomers include a first downcomer at a first distance from the center and a second downcomer at a second distance from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second distance is 150-200% of the first distance. In particular, the second distance may be 160-180% of the first distance, or specifically 170%.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first downcomer has a first diameter and the second downcomer has a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

[0017] In one embodiment, two or more of the plurality of downcomers further include a third downcomer having a third distance from the center, the third distance being greater than the second distance.

[0018] In one embodiment, the plurality of downcomers are positioned rotationally symmetrically about the center.

[0019] In one embodiment, each downcomer of the plurality of downcomers comprises or is connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet and a throttling valve for restricting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet.

[0020] In one embodiment, the number of sectors is four or more.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a flotation cell is provided. The flotation cell comprises a tank and one or more slurry supply devices according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof for supplying a slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank.

[0022] In one embodiment, the center corresponds to the central axis of the tank.

[0023] In one embodiment, the one or more slurry feed devices comprise two or more slurry feed devices for feeding slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0024] In one embodiment, the two or more slurry feed devices are positioned rotationally symmetrically around a central axis of the tank.

[0025] According to a third aspect, there is provided a flotation plant comprising one or more flotation cells according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of downcomers for mixing flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture and for supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture to a tank of a flotation cell. The method further includes positioning the plurality of downcomers in a plurality of sectors around a center of the tank, each sector including two or more downcomers positioned at different distances from the center.

[0027] It should be understood that the aspects and embodiments described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form further embodiments.

[0028] In the solution of the present disclosure, a centralized feed distributor may be used to distribute the slurry into multiple downcomers. Two or more downcomers may be located in each sector of the flotation machine and may therefore operate in parallel (in parallel) with each other. This is in contrast to standard flotation machines (e.g., Jameson or Concord cells). In standard flotation machines, multiple downcomers are typically operated in a tank in the form of a generally vertical column, with each downcomer located on the same radius.

[0029] There are (at least) two downcomers in each of two adjacent sectors, and their specific positioning is as follows. The inner arc length can be defined as the length of the arc separating the first downcomers in adjacent sectors, each downcomer being positioned at a first distance from the center. The outer arc length can be defined as the length of the arc separating the second downcomers in adjacent sectors, each downcomer being positioned at a second distance from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance. In a specific embodiment, the ratio of the outer arc length to the inner arc length can be 170%. The value can also correspond to the ratio of the second distance to the first distance. Using such a solution, flow rates per unit area or tank cross-sectional area that are significantly higher than standard slurry supply devices can be handled.

[0030] The solution disclosed herein allows for the parallel feeding of slurry through at least two downcomers per flotation machine sector. The slurry feeding arrangement allows for the processing of large volumes of low density sludge by a single flotation machine, potentially eliminating the need for a whole train of large mechanical flotation machines. By increasing the number of downcomers per unit area (e.g., unit area or tank cross-sectional area), it also allows for a significant increase in the shear energy of the flotation machine, especially if the unit area has the same diameter.

[0031] Compared to the standard slurry feeder of Jameson and Concord flotation machines, the present solution can allow processing of twice the slurry feed flow rate. The slurry feeder of the present disclosure can be retrofitted to an existing flotation cell by replacing the slurry feeder of the existing flotation cell with any of the slurry feeders disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present disclosure may be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a slurry supply device,

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a slurry supply device is shown.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of a flotation cell,

[0036] Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of a flotation facility is shown, and

[0037] Figure 5 A method for a slurry feeding device is illustrated.

[0038] Similar reference numbers are used to identify equivalent components or at least functionally equivalent components in the figures.

[0039] Unless specifically stated to the contrary, any of the above drawings may not be drawn to scale, such that any element in the drawings may not be accurately proportioned to other elements in the drawings in order to highlight certain structural aspects of the embodiments of the drawings.

[0040] Furthermore, corresponding elements in the embodiments of any two of the foregoing drawings may be out of scale with respect to each other in the two drawings in order to highlight certain structural aspects of the embodiments of the two drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The specific implementations provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are descriptions of the embodiments and do not represent the only configuration or use form of the embodiments. However, the same or equivalent functions and structures can be implemented by different embodiments.

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of a slurry supply device 100 (also referred to herein as “the device”) is shown from a top view. Figure 2 A schematic side view of a slurry supply device 100 (such as the device described) is shown. Figure 1The downcomers are shown with the same cross-hatching as in Figure 2 The path of the characteristic slurry flow is shown by dashed arrows in FIG. The disclosed slurry supply device can be arranged in a tank of a flotation cell, such as a Jameson flotation machine and / or a Concord flotation machine. In general, the solution disclosed herein can be used for any type of flotation machine, which can be arranged to distribute pressurized slurry therein. The solution described herein can be applied to all types of minerals, which can be provided in slurry.

[0043] The apparatus 100 includes a plurality of downcomers (also referred to herein as "the plurality of downcomers"), which may be provided in the form of vertical columns. The downcomers may be used to mix the flotation gas 230 with the slurry from the input slurry flow 200 to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture 240. The downcomers may also be arranged to deliver the slurry-flotation gas mixture to a tank of a flotation cell, for example, from one end (e.g., the bottom end) of the respective downcomers. The downcomers may be parallel to each other. The guide plate may be cylindrical. Although not shown in the figures, the downcomers may generally be equipped with any suitable device, such as one or more flotation gas inlets, for receiving the flotation gas to be mixed with the slurry from the input slurry flow. The plurality of downcomers may also include or consist of ejectors and / or blast pipes.

[0044] The apparatus 100 may include a slurry supply conduit for supplying slurry from an input slurry flow 200 to a plurality of downcomers. Herein, a "conduit" may refer to a conduit system and (optionally) one or more associated in-line components, such as fittings and valves, which are suitable or configured for conveying fluids. Thus, a "slurry supply conduit" may refer to a conduit suitable or configured for supplying slurry to a plurality of downcomers. The slurry supply conduit may be arranged to centrally supply to a distributor. The slurry supply conduit may be arranged to divide the input slurry flow into partial slurry flows so as to supply the slurry to the downcomers at one or more points. A solution is shown in the figure, where the partial slurry flows of all downcomers are formed simultaneously, i.e., from the same input flow. The slurry supply conduit may include a main conduit 140 for supplying slurry from the input slurry flow to a plurality of downcomers. Thus, the main conduit may include a separate outlet for supplying slurry to each downcomer. The main conduit may be perpendicular and / or parallel to the downcomers. The slurry supply pipeline may include an intermediate pipeline 144 from the main pipeline to the downcomer, for example as a separate pipeline for each downcomer. In one example, the intermediate pipeline is horizontal, or at least transports the slurry within a horizontal distance.

[0045] The plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors 130 around a center 202. The center may correspond to the center point of the tank of the flotation cell. The center 202 may serve as the center axis of the device. It may correspond to the vertical axis of the device and / or tank. The center may be located in a slurry supply conduit, in particular in a main conduit 140. The number of sectors may be four or more, for example 6 to 8 or more. Figure 1 The solution shown has eight sectors. The sectors can be of equal size. Each sector has a central angle, which can be 360 ​​degrees divided by the number of sectors, as can be seen from the center above. Although this arrangement need not include any physical entities (such as walls for the sectors), it can be included in the device and / or tank.

[0046] Each sector 130 includes two or more downcomers 110, 120, 250, that is, two or more of these downcomers are positioned within each sector. In each sector, the two or more downcomers are positioned at different distances from the center 202. However, in any or all sectors, the two or more downcomers may still be positioned along the same radial line 142, which may be considered to extend radially (and imaginatively) from the center. Each sector may have its own radial line, for example, any or all of which may be located at the center of the sector. This dual positioning may provide the device 100 with a greater number of downcomers, which in turn may increase the total output flow rate of the slurry-flotation gas mixture of the slurry supply device and / or maintain a higher material throughput by reducing the slurry recovery rate of the slurry supply device. The number of downcomers may be increased without increasing the radius of the tank. This allows the shear energy of the slurry supply device to be increased.

[0047] Two or more of the downcomers may include a first downcomer 110 that is a first distance r1 from the center 202. The first distance may be equal or substantially equal for each sector so that the first downcomer of each sector is positioned along a first circle 112 about the center. Alternatively, the first distance may be different for any or all of the first downcomers, allowing the first downcomers to be dispersed around the tank, with each downcomer still positioned within its respective sector. The first downcomers may be arranged equidistantly around the center. The distance between two adjacent first downcomers may be represented by an inner arc length 114. In one embodiment, the inner arc lengths of all adjacent pairs of first downcomers are the same.

[0048] Two or more of the downcomers may include a second downcomer 120 that is a second distance r2 from the center 202. The second distance may be equal or substantially equal for each sector so that the second downcomers of each sector are positioned along a second circle 122 about the center. Thus, the first circle and the second circle may be concentric circles. Alternatively, the second distance may be different for any or all of the second downcomers, allowing the second downcomers to be dispersed around the tank, with each downcomer still positioned within its respective sector. The second downcomers may be arranged equidistantly around the center. The distance between two adjacent second downcomers may be represented by an outer arc length 124. In one embodiment, the outer arc lengths of all adjacent pairs of second downcomers are the same.

[0049] The second distance may be greater than the first distance, and the outer arc length may be greater than the first arc length. In particular, the second distance may be 150-200%, such as 170%, of the first distance, and the outer arc length may be 150-200%, such as 170%, of the inner arc length.

[0050] The apparatus 100 may be arranged to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 to the first downcomer 110 as a first partial slurry flow 210, and to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 to the second downcomer 120 as a second partial slurry flow 220. The apparatus may be arranged so that the first partial slurry flows are substantially the same. The apparatus may be arranged so that the second partial slurry flows are substantially the same. The apparatus may be arranged so that the second partial slurry flow is greater than the first partial slurry flow. Any or all of the first downcomers may have a first diameter d1, which may be the same for all first downcomers. Alternatively, the first diameter d1 may be different for any or all of the first downcomers. The first diameter may remain constant along the length of the first downcomer. Any or all of the second downcomers may have a second diameter d2, which may be the same for all of the second downcomers. Alternatively, the second diameter d2 may be different for any or all of the second downcomers. The second diameter may remain constant along the length of the second downcomer. The first diameter and the second diameter may be understood as determining the width of the slurry flow path of the first downcomer and the second downcomer, respectively. In one embodiment, the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, for example, 2 to 3 times larger, and in particular 250% of the first diameter. The difference in diameter can also enable the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to be ejected from the first downcomer and the second downcomer at different pressures, thereby allowing particles of different sizes to be floated. Alternatively, the second diameter may be less than or equal to the first diameter.

[0051] Two or more of the downcomers may include one or more additional downcomers, such as a third downcomer 250 that is a third distance r3 from the center 202. The third distance may be greater than the second distance r2. The apparatus 100 may be arranged to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 as a third partial slurry flow to the third downcomer. Any or all of the third downcomers may have a third diameter d3, which may be the same for all third downcomers. Alternatively, the diameter may be different for any or all of the third downcomers. The third diameter may remain constant along the length of the third downcomer. In one embodiment, the third diameter is greater than the second diameter and / or the first diameter.

[0052] The lengths of the above-mentioned multiple downcomers may be the same. Alternatively, any one or all of the downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the lengths of the first downcomers are all the same. Alternatively, any one or all of the first downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the lengths of the second downcomers are all the same. Alternatively, any one or all of the second downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the lengths of the third downcomers are all the same. Alternatively, any one or all of the third downcomers may have different lengths. For any or all sectors, the first downcomer may have the same length as the second downcomer and / or the third downcomer. In addition, for any or all sectors, the length of the first downcomer may have a different length than the second downcomer and / or the third downcomer.

[0053] The downcomers may be positioned rotationally symmetrically about the above-mentioned center. This may involve a plurality of downcomers, or in particular all downcomers connected to the tank and / or to the slurry supply pipe, which are used to supply slurry from the input slurry flow. Alternatively, it may only involve the first downcomer 110 and / or the second downcomer 120. When n is the number of sectors, the positioning may have n-fold and / or n / 2-fold rotational symmetry. The above-mentioned tank may also be rotationally symmetric. In some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may be arranged rotationally asymmetrically and optionally randomly, provided that each sector still includes two or more downcomers.

[0054] Any or all of the downcomers may include or be connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet 242, which is particularly used to supply the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to the tank of the flotation cell. The outlet may be located at one end of the corresponding downcomer, such as the bottom end. Any or all of the downcomers may include or be connected to a throttle valve 244 to limit the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet. Here, the throttle valve allows the device 100 to be operated so that the slurry-flotation gas mixture flows out of the downcomer with the throttle valve at a supersonic flow rate. This in turn can promote the formation of agglomerates of solid particles and flotation gas by dividing the flotation gas into smaller bubbles. Such downcomers that can be operated to discharge the slurry-flotation gas mixture from the downcomer at a supersonic speed can be called "blast tubes".

[0055] In some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may not include a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet and a throttling valve for limiting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet. For example, in some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may be configured to operate only at subsonic slurry-flotation gas mixture flow rates. Such downcomers may be implemented as so-called "Jameson downcomers".

[0056] A "main conduit" may refer to an imaginary conduit extending parallel to one or more downcomers, such as any or all of the plurality of downcomers. Additionally or alternatively, the main conduit may refer to an imaginary axis of rotational symmetry about which the plurality of downcomers are positioned. In general, the main conduit may or may not extend through the center (e.g., center point) of the main conduit 140. According to any of the examples disclosed above, the rotationally symmetrically positioned downcomers may be arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to the main conduit. In this case, each such downcomer may include a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet 242 for supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to a tank of a flotation cell. The slurry-flotation gas mixture outlets of these downcomers may then be arranged in a first arrangement such that when the plurality of downcomers rotate about the main conduit, a second arrangement of the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlets corresponds to the first arrangement. In this specification, the "distance" of any or all downcomers from the center 202 may refer to the measurable length between the center and the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet of the downcomer, particularly the shortest length.

[0057] The above mainly discusses the characteristics of the slurry supply device. The following will focus on the characteristics related to the flotation cell and the flotation facility. The embodiments, definitions, details and advantages described above in relation to the device 100 are also applicable to the solutions discussed below after appropriate changes. And vice versa.

[0058] Figure 3 An example of a side view of a flotation cell 300 is depicted. The flotation cell may include the apparatus 100 according to any of the examples disclosed above.

[0059] The flotation cell 300 may include a tank 310 and is configured to supply the slurry-flotation gas mixture 200 into the tank. The center 202 may correspond to the central axis of the tank. It should be noted that the tank mentioned in the present disclosure may be of any shape, in particular the shapes described below. The tank may be asymmetric or symmetric, such as rotational and / or radial asymmetry or rotational and / or radial symmetry. It may be cylindrical. It may have a circular cross-section. However, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the tank may be polygonal, such as rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal or pentagonal. The shape of the tank may be determined by one or more outer or inner walls of the tank. It should be noted that the "central axis" in the present disclosure may refer to the central axis of a symmetrical structure or the central axis of a symmetrical or asymmetric structure. The central axis may be understood to correspond to the central axis passing through the center of the structure or its cross-section.

[0060] The tank 310 may include a launder 320, which in turn may include a launder lip 322. The flotation cell may be arranged to direct the input slurry flow 200 from below the launder lip into the slurry supply conduit or main conduit 140 during operation of the flotation cell. In some embodiments, the flotation cell may be arranged to direct the input slurry flow from above the launder lip into the slurry supply conduit or main conduit 140 during operation of the flotation cell.

[0061] The wash tank 320 may be any type of wash tank, in particular a radial wash tank, an annular wash tank or a central wash tank. It may be arranged at the periphery of the tank 310 or, as shown, the tank 310 may include a central wash tank 324. The flotation cell 300 may be configured such that during operation of the flotation cell, the collected overflow is first conveyed by the wash tank 320 to the central wash tank 324 through the wash tank lip 322 and then further conveyed out of the flotation cell from the central wash tank 324. Any suitable means for collecting the overflow may be arranged in the tank, for example: one or more wash tanks, such as a central wash tank; one or more radial wash tanks; and / or peripheral wash tanks, such as an outer peripheral wash tank or an inner peripheral wash tank.

[0062] The flotation cell 300 may include a flotation gas supply 330 for supplying flotation gas 230 to the plurality of downcomers of the slurry supply device 100. The flotation gas supply may be configured to supply flotation gas at a higher pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure at the location of the flotation cell. This may allow for the use of a higher flotation gas flow rate and / or the generation of smaller Sauter mean diameter flotation bubbles. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of surfactant (e.g., frother) used may also be reduced.

[0063] In other embodiments, the flotation cell may or may not include a flotation gas supply for supplying flotation gas to a plurality of downcomers of a slurry supply of the flotation cell. For example, in some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may provide one or more flotation gas inlets in communication with an ambient fluid, such that flotation gas may be introduced into the downcomers in a self-aspirating manner due to the negative pressure conditions formed in the downcomers. For example, such downcomers may be implemented as Jameson downcomers. In other embodiments, where the flotation cell includes a flotation gas supply for supplying flotation gas to any one or all of the downcomers of the slurry supply of the flotation cell, the flotation gas supply may or may not be configured to supply flotation gas at a selected pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure at the location of the flotation cell. In general, the flotation gas supply may be implemented in any suitable manner, such as being implemented as a compressed air flotation gas supply, a forced air flotation gas supply, or a self-aspirating flotation gas supply.

[0064] Although in Figure 3 Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the tank 310 of the flotation unit may collect underflow in any suitable manner, for example, one or more slurry outlets may be arranged in the bottom portion (eg, the lower half) of the tank.

[0065] Although Figure 3 A single slurry supply device in the tank is shown, but according to any embodiment disclosed herein, the flotation cell may include two or more slurry supplies, such as three, four or more. The two or more slurry supplies may be symmetrically arranged in the tank, such as rotationally symmetrically arranged. Each of the two or more slurry supplies or their respective centers 202 may be symmetrically positioned around the central axis of the tank, in particular rotationally symmetrically positioned. The tank may have a manifold, such as on the central axis of the tank, for supplying slurry to each of the two or more slurry supplies.

[0066] Figure 4 There is depicted a partial example of a flotation installation 400. The flotation installation comprises the flotation cell 300 disclosed above.

[0067] Herein, a "facility" may refer to machinery suitable for or configured for operating an industrial process. Thus, a "flotation facility" may refer to a facility suitable for or configured for operating a flotation process. In general, a flotation facility may generally include any unit suitable for (or necessary for) flotation, and optionally any unit suitable for (or necessary for) pre-processing of material prior to flotation and / or post-processing of material after flotation.

[0068] The flotation facility 400 may include a comminution unit 410. It may also include a pre-classification unit 420 and / or a primary flotation unit 430. The comminution unit 410 may be configured to grind ore to form ground ore, mix the ground ore with a flotation liquid to form a raw slurry 412, and feed the raw slurry 412 forward, such as to the pre-classification unit 420. The pre-classification unit 420 may be configured to classify the raw slurry 412 to form a coarser raw slurry portion 422 and a finer raw slurry portion 424, and feed the finer raw slurry portion 424 forward, such as to the primary flotation unit 430. The primary flotation unit 430 may be configured to separate the finer raw slurry portion 424 to form an overflow 432 and an underflow 434, and feed the underflow forward, such as to the flotation unit 300. The underflow may be used as an input slurry supply 200 of a slurry supply device 100 of the flotation unit. Additionally or alternatively, the flotation unit may also be configured to provide an input slurry supply from one or more other sources, wherein the input slurry supply may still come from the comminution unit 410 .

[0069] In this specification, "comminution" refers to any measures taken to reduce the average particle size of solid materials. Therefore, comminution may include crushing and / or grinding. In mineral processing, comminution is often used to separate valuable minerals from waste rock. Therefore, a "comminution unit" may refer to a unit suitable for or configured to reduce the average particle size of solid materials. In general, a comminution unit may be configured for dry grinding and / or wet grinding.

[0070] In addition, "classification" may refer to classifying the solid particles in the slurry by size according to the difference in the settling speed of the solid particles in the slurry to form at least two, that is, two, three or more slurry parts. In practice, the result of slurry classification is that the coarser particles in the slurry are preferentially sorted into one or more coarser slurry parts, while the finer particles in the slurry are preferentially sorted into one or more finer slurry parts. Of course, "classification device" may refer to a device in a flotation unit that is configured as a component for or suitable for slurry classification.

[0071] Here, "portion" may refer to a portion of a mixture separated from the mixture. Thus, a "slurry portion" may refer to a portion containing slurry and resulting from slurry separation.

[0072] The above mainly describes the structural features of the slurry supply device, the flotation cell and the flotation facility. The following will emphasize more on the features of the method for installing the slurry supply device. The embodiments, definitions, details and advantages described above in relation to the first, second and third aspects are also applicable to the method aspects discussed below after appropriate changes. And vice versa.

[0073] Figure 5A method 500 is shown which may be used to install a slurry supply. This may correspond to a new installation or a retrofit, wherein an existing slurry supply may first be partially or completely removed.

[0074] The method 500 may include (step) 510, i.e., providing a tank of a flotation cell, as described above. The method may also include (step) 520, i.e., providing a plurality of downcomers, such as the downcomers described above, for mixing a flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture to the tank of the flotation cell. The method may also include (step) 530, i.e., positioning the plurality of downcomers in a plurality of sectors around a center of the tank, such that each sector includes two or more downcomers at different distances from the center. The two or more downcomers may include a plurality of downcomers, or may include one or more pre-existing downcomers, such as when retrofitting the device. In addition, the "two or more downcomers" described above in the device 100 are also applicable here, such as their relative sizes and / or positions.

[0075] The method 500 may include coupling a slurry supply conduit to a plurality of downcomers to supply slurry from an input slurry flow to the plurality of downcomers. The slurry supply conduit may include a main conduit, which may be pre-existing. The method may also include removing at least a portion of a pre-installed slurry supply device configured to supply slurry to the tank. In particular, the process of removing at least a portion of the pre-installed slurry supply device may include the step of disconnecting a previously used slurry supply conduit. Thus, the method may be implemented as a retrofit method, i.e., a tank of an existing flotation cell is partially or fully equipped with a new slurry supply device.

[0076] In this specification, a "process" may refer to a series of one or more steps leading to a result. Thus, a process may be a single-step process or a multi-step process. In addition, a process may be divided into multiple sub-processes, wherein each of the multiple sub-processes may or may not share common steps. Here, a "step" may refer to an action taken to achieve a predetermined result.

[0077] The different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or simultaneously.

[0078] Numerical descriptors used herein, such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are intended only to distinguish between similarly named components. These numerical descriptors do not imply any particular order, such as order of preference, order of manufacture, or order of appearance in any particular structure.

[0079] The expressions "plurality" and the like in this document indicate that the entities referred to are plural, i.e., the number of the entities is two or more.

[0080] As technology advances, the basic idea of ​​the invention can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

[0081] Although the subject matter of protection has been described in language with specific structural features and / or operations, it should be understood that the subject matter of protection defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the above specific features or operations. On the contrary, the above specific features and operations are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and operations are also within the scope of the claims.

[0082] It should be understood that any benefits and advantages described above may be related to one embodiment or several embodiments. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those embodiments that can solve any or all of the problems described, nor are they limited to those embodiments that have any or all of the benefits and advantages described.

[0083] The term "comprising" used in this specification means including the following features or operations, but does not exclude the existence of one or more additional features or operations. It should also be understood that "a" item means one or more items therein.

[0084] Reference to "any or all" objects includes the possibility that at least one or more objects are included.

Claims

1. A slurry supply device (100) comprising a plurality of downcomers for mixing a flotation gas (230) with slurry from an input slurry stream (200) to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) to a tank of a flotation cell, wherein the plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors (130) around a center (202), each of the sectors comprising two or more downcomers (110, 120) of the plurality of downcomers, the two or more downcomers being at different distances from the center.

2. The slurry supply device according to claim 1, wherein two or more of the plurality of downcomers include a first downcomer (110) at a first distance (r1) from the center and a second downcomer (120) at a second distance (r2) from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

3. The slurry supply device according to claim 2, wherein the second distance (r2) is 150-200% of the first distance (r1).

4. The slurry supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first downcomer (110) has a first diameter (d1), and the second downcomer (120) has a second diameter (d2), and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

5. The slurry supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein two or more of the plurality of downcomers further include a third downcomer (250) at a third distance (r3) from the center, and the third distance (r3) is greater than the second distance (r2).

6. The slurry supply device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of downcomers are positioned rotationally symmetrically around the center (202).

7. The slurry supply device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of downcomers comprises or is connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet (242) and a throttle valve (244), wherein the throttle valve is used to limit the flow rate of the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet.

8. The slurry feeding device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of the sectors (130) is four or more.

9. A flotation cell comprising a tank (310) and one or more slurry supply devices (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, for supplying a slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) into the tank.

10. The flotation cell (300) of claim 9, wherein the center (202) corresponds to a central axis of the tank.

11. The flotation cell (300) of claim 9, wherein the one or more slurry feeders (100) comprise two or more slurry feeders according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for feeding slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank.

12. The flotation cell (300) of claim 11, wherein the two or more slurry feed devices (100) are positioned rotationally symmetrically around a central axis of the tank.

13. A flotation installation (400) comprising one or more flotation cells (300) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

14. A method (500), comprising: providing (520) a plurality of downcomers for mixing flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture and supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture to a tank of a flotation cell, and The plurality of downcomers are positioned (530) in a plurality of sectors around a center of the tank, each of the sectors including two or more downcomers at different distances from the center.

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