Mineral separation apparatus and method of mineral separation

Abstract

The application discloses a mineral sorting device and a mineral sorting method. The mineral sorting device comprises a conveying mechanism, a first light source assembly located above the conveying mechanism, a first detector assembly located below the conveying mechanism and a sorting mechanism. The mineral sorting method comprises: double-mode imaging of a mineral by irradiating the mineral with neutrons and X-rays; distinguishing the mineral into different grades of minerals according to the double-mode imaging result; and separating the different grades of minerals. According to the mineral sorting device and the sorting method, the sorting of minerals, especially lithium or boron minerals, can be completed, environmental pollution, water consumption, mineral processing cost and energy consumption are reduced, and the stable and reliable quality of the mineral processing products is ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of mineral processing, and in particular to a mineral separation device and a mineral separation method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Lithium and boron are valuable mineral resources, which are widely used in high-tech, military industry and people's livelihood products.

[0003] Mineral separation is to separate useful minerals from other minerals according to the physical and chemical properties of different minerals after crushing and grinding the minerals.

[0004] With the development of industry and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the above-mentioned traditional mineral separation technology has a series of problems:

[0005] 1. High capital investment. A series of plant buildings and facilities need to be built, such as grinding, flotation, concentrate and tailings thickening and dewatering, boiler, tailings pond and other facilities for flotation method; magnetic separation, heavy medium cyclone, heavy medium preparation, and dewatering of concentrate and tailings for gravity separation method.

[0006] 2. Serious environmental pollution. Especially for the flotation method, a variety of chemical reagents need to be added, which can easily cause water and soil pollution.

[0007] 3. Large water consumption. Heavy medium cyclone and flotation are wet beneficiation technologies, and usually 3-11m 3 The water used in heavy medium separation can be recycled after sedimentation, while the water used in flotation can only be partially reused after long-term purification due to the addition of a large amount of reagents.

[0008] 4. High operating cost. The cost of treating one ton of raw ore by flotation method is about 120 yuan, and the cost of treating one ton of raw ore by gravity separation method is about 30-40 yuan.

[0009] 5. High energy consumption. Flotation needs to control the particle size by grinding, which is very energy-consuming; gravity separation needs to control the medium flow and pressure by heavy medium conveying pump, which has high power consumption; in addition to other equipment, a small-scale beneficiation plant with a daily processing capacity of 1000 tons needs to consume more than 1000kW of electricity.

[0010] 6. Unstable product quality. It is mainly affected by the mineral properties and the technical level of the operators. The mineral grade often changes, and if not adjusted in time, it will lead to low concentrate grade and increased impurities, affecting sales and downstream processing. SUMMARY

[0011] In view of the above-mentioned defects or shortcomings in the prior art, it is desirable to provide a mineral sorting device and a sorting method.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a mineral sorting device, comprising: a conveying mechanism, a first light source assembly located above the conveying mechanism, a first detector assembly located below the conveying mechanism, and a sorting mechanism;

[0013] The first light source assembly is configured to emit neutron rays and X-rays for irradiating the mineral;

[0014] The first detector assembly is configured to detect and acquire detection data of the X-rays with and without attenuation by the mineral, and detection data of the neutron rays with and without attenuation by the mineral;

[0015] The sorting mechanism is configured to separate the mineral.

[0016] Further, the first light source assembly comprises a first light source and a second light source which are independent of each other, the first light source is configured to emit neutron rays for irradiating the mineral, the second light source is configured to emit X-rays for irradiating the mineral, and the first light source and the second light source are arranged in sequence in the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism.

[0017] Further, the first detector assembly comprises a neutron detector and an X-ray detector which are independent of each other.

[0018] Further, the mineral sorting device further comprises a second light source assembly arranged on one side of the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism and a second detector assembly arranged on the other side of the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism.

[0019] Further, the sorting mechanism is a blowing device, and the blowing device is arranged to separate the mineral from the conveying mechanism.

[0020] Further, the blowing device comprises a high-pressure nozzle, and the high-pressure nozzle comprises a plurality of jet holes arranged in an array.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a mineral sorting method, which is applicable to a mineral sorting system comprising the above-mentioned mineral sorting device and a controller, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0022] S10: dual-mode imaging of the mineral by irradiating the mineral with neutron rays and X-rays;

[0023] S20: classifying the mineral into different grades of mineral according to the results of the dual-mode imaging;

[0024] S30: separating the different grades of mineral.

[0025] Further, step S10 comprises the following steps:

[0026] S11: obtaining X-ray non-mineral detection data, X-ray mineral detection data, neutron non-mineral detection data and neutron mineral detection data by detecting, by means of the detector assembly, detection data of X-ray under attenuation by the mineral and non-attenuation by the mineral and detection data of neutron under attenuation by the mineral and non-attenuation by the mineral;

[0027] S12: determining the ratio of the differential cross section of the element at each pixel point to neutron and X-ray according to the X-ray non-mineral detection data, the X-ray mineral detection data, the neutron non-mineral detection data and the neutron mineral detection data, and performing dual-mode imaging based on the ratio.

[0028] Further, the step S20 comprises the following steps:

[0029] S21: determining the element type at each pixel point based on the ratio of the differential cross section of the element at each pixel point to neutron and X-ray;

[0030] S22: determining the distribution of the target element based on the element type at each pixel point, calculating the proportion of the target element in the mineral, and taking the proportion as the grade of the target element.

[0031] S23: determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore according to the grade of the target element.

[0032] Further, the step S23 comprises:

[0033] comparing the grade of the target element in the mineral with a preset grade threshold, and determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore based on the corresponding relationship between the preset grade threshold and the concentrate and the lean ore.

[0034] The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application can include the following beneficial effects:

[0035] According to the mineral sorting device and the mineral sorting method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the characteristics that the neutron cross sections of different elements in the mineral are different and the photon cross sections of different elements in the mineral are also different are utilized, the light source assembly provides two kinds of rays, i.e., neutron rays and X-rays, dual-mode imaging analysis is performed based on the two kinds of rays, the type and distribution of the elements in the mineral are determined, the proportion of the target element in the mineral is calculated, and the proportion is taken as the grade of the target element, so that the discrimination and analysis of the mineral can be completed. This scheme can particularly complete the sorting of lithium ore or boron ore. According to the mineral sorting device and the mineral sorting method provided by the embodiment of the present application, environmental pollution, water consumption, mineral processing cost and energy consumption can be reduced, and the stable and reliable quality of the mineral processing products can be ensured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Other features, objects, and advantages of the application will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of neutron (energy 25.3 meV) cross section and photon (energy 511 keV) cross section of each common element in lithium minerals;

[0038] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of (molecular) neutron (energy 25.3 meV) cross section and (molecular) photon (energy 511 keV) cross section of each common material in lithium minerals;

[0039] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the mineral sorting device provided in the embodiments of the application;

[0040] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the flow of the mineral sorting method provided in the embodiments of the application;

[0041] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the imaging of a certain lithium mineral under the dual-mode detection imaging technology provided in the embodiments of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The application will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely intended to explain the related application, but not to limit the application. In addition, it should be noted that only the parts related to the application are shown in the drawings for the convenience of description.

[0043] It should be noted that the embodiments in the application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. The application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0044] The application provides a mineral sorting technology based on dual-mode detection imaging, which determines the types and proportions of elements in a mineral by using the ratio of the differential cross sections of different elements and materials (such as oxides) in the mineral to neutrons and X-rays, i.e., by using the detection of the mineral by neutrons and X-rays, according to the different attenuation abilities of the mineral to neutrons and X-rays, the types and proportions of elements in the mineral are determined.

[0045] The transmission of neutrons in the mineral obeys an exponential law, as shown in formula (1):

[0046]

[0047] In formula (1), I n,0 is the number of neutrons before entering the mineral or without penetrating the mineral, and I nThe number of neutrons after penetrating the mineral, both of which are experimentally measurable; i is the element number in the mineral, m is the total number of elements, σ i is the neutron attenuation cross section of element i, and both are known quantities; N i is the number density of atom i in the mineral (1 / cm 3 ), which is related to the type of mineral and is obviously an unknown quantity; D is the size of the mineral, and since the crushing process cannot be uniform, D is also unknown for a certain mineral to be measured. If the entire mineral is treated as a homogeneous material, equation (1) can be rewritten as equation (2):

[0048]

[0049] Att n is the attenuation of the mineral to neutrons, which is calculated from the measurable I n,0 and I n , so Att n is also a measurable value, μ m,n is the average mass attenuation coefficient of each atom in the mineral (cm 2 / g), t m is the mass thickness of the mineral (g / cm 2 ), μ m,n and t m are obviously unknown quantities. t m is a quantity determined by the size of the mineral and cannot reflect the properties of the material. μ m,n reflects the microscopic properties of the atomic nucleus (the physical meaning is the cross section of each atomic nucleus divided by the atomic mass), so it can be used to distinguish materials and achieve mineral separation. However, since there is only one measured value Att n , it is impossible to obtain the two unknown quantities t m and μ m,n at the same time, so the properties of the material cannot be obtained, and thus mineral separation cannot be performed.

[0050] Like neutrons, photons are also neutral rays, and their attenuation in the mineral follows the law of exponential decline, so photon (here X, i.e., X-rays are used to penetrate the mineral) and neutron dual-mode imaging can be used for mineral separation, so equation (2) can be rewritten as equation (3):

[0051]

[0052] Att X is the attenuation of the mineral to photons, I X,0 and I X are the number of photons before and after penetrating the mineral, respectively, μ m,X is the average mass attenuation coefficient of each atom in the mineral, and since it is the same mineral, tm No change. Combining equations (2) and (3), we can get equation (4):

[0053]

[0054] In equation (4), the F factor is determined by the ratio of the differential cross section of the element for neutrons σ n and the differential cross section for photons σ X (Here an approximation is used, the mass of the nucleus m N is approximately equal to the mass of the atom m A , which is obviously true).

[0055] Figure 1 Figures showing the neutron (energy 25.3 meV) and photon (energy 511 keV) cross sections of various common elements in lithium ores; Figure 2 Figures showing the (molecular) neutron (energy 25.3 meV) and (molecular) photon (energy 511 keV) cross sections of various common materials in lithium ores. Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , various elements and oxides in lithium ores, not only have different neutron cross sections, but also have different photon cross sections, among which lithium (Li) or lithium oxide (Li2O) has a significantly large neutron reaction cross section and a relatively small photon reaction cross section. As mentioned above, Att n is the attenuation of the mineral to neutrons, which can be measured and calculated, and is a measurable value, Att X is the attenuation of the mineral to photons, which can also be measured and calculated, and is also a measurable value, so the size of the F factor of the mineral can be obtained by measurement and calculation. According to equation (4) above, the F factor is also expressed as the ratio of the differential cross section of the mineral for neutrons σ n and the differential cross section for photons σ X , which is actually the reciprocal of the slope in Figure 1 , Figure 2 . As can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2 , as elements / materials with a very large neutron cross section and a very small photon cross section, Li and Li2O have the smallest slope, i.e. the largest F factor. When the lithium grade in the ore changes, the contribution of lithium to the F factor will also change, and by measuring the F factor of the lithium ore, the content of lithium in the lithium ore can be analyzed, and grade analysis can be achieved.

[0056] Similarly, like lithium, boron also has a much larger thermal neutron cross section than most other elements in the mineral, so it also has high neutron analysis sensitivity, which makes it possible to use X-ray and neutron dual-mode imaging to sort boron ores, i.e. the principle of using the F factor to sort minerals described above is also applicable to the sorting of boron ores.

[0057] As Figure 3 shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a mineral sorting device, comprising: a conveying mechanism 1, a first light source assembly 2 located above the conveying mechanism 1, a first detector assembly 3 located below the conveying mechanism 1, and a sorting mechanism 4;

[0058] The conveying mechanism 1 is used for conveying the mineral 6;

[0059] The first light source assembly 2 is used for emitting neutron rays and X rays that irradiate the mineral 6;

[0060] The first detector assembly 3 is used for detecting and acquiring detection data of the X rays under attenuation and non-attenuation by the mineral, and detection data of the neutron rays under attenuation and non-attenuation by the mineral;

[0061] The sorting mechanism 4 is used for separating the mineral 6.

[0062] According to the mineral sorting device provided by the embodiment, the first light source assembly 2 is a light source that simultaneously provides neutron rays and X rays, the first detector assembly can detect the neutron rays and X rays that are transmitted through the mineral and attenuated, and the mineral can be imaged in two modes by using the attenuated neutron rays and X rays, the F factor of each element in the mineral can be determined, the types of various elements in the mineral can be determined, and the proportion of the target element can be determined. The mineral sorting device can significantly reduce environmental pollution, reduce water consumption, reduce ore dressing cost, reduce energy consumption, and achieve stable and reliable ore dressing product quality.

[0063] Further, the first light source assembly 2 can be a light source that uses one accelerator to generate both neutron rays and X rays (photons). The process is that high-energy electrons emitted by the electron accelerator generate bremsstrahlung on the anode target, such as a tungsten target, a lead target, etc., a part of the bremsstrahlung photons produces light neutrons through a photonuclear reaction, and the other part becomes X rays for imaging. The two kinds of rays are generated at the same time, but due to the different flight speeds of the two kinds of rays, after a certain flight distance, they irradiate the mineral and reach the detector assembly at different times, so that different detection times can be set to distinguish them, thereby realizing imaging detection in two modes. Preferably, the first light source assembly 2 generates high-energy electrons in the form of pulses, thereby generating neutron rays and X rays in the form of pulses. In addition, the first light source assembly 2 can include two light sources that generate neutron rays and X rays, respectively, for example, including a first light source and a second light source that are independent of each other, the first light source is used for emitting neutron rays that irradiate the mineral, and the second light source is used for emitting X rays that irradiate the mineral. That is, two independent light sources provide neutron rays and X rays, respectively, the first light source and the second light source are arranged in sequence in the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism, and the setting distance between the first light source and the second light source can be determined based on the conveying speed of the conveying mechanism 1.

[0064] Further, the first light source assembly 2 comprises a light neutron source. The light neutron source can be a light neutron source which is moderated into thermal neutrons, or a light neutron source which is not moderated enough. The thermal neutron beam can be better absorbed by the mineral, thus effectively improving the accuracy of the mineral separation.

[0065] Further, the first detector assembly 3 comprises a neutron detector and an X-ray detector. The first detector assembly can be one detector which detects the neutron and the X-ray, or two independent detectors which respectively detect the neutron and the X-ray.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, the first light source assembly 2 can be provided with one beam outlet for the X-ray and the neutron beam, or two separate beam outlets for the X-ray and the neutron beam. The X-ray can be a fan beam, a flying spot beam or a cone beam, and the neutron beam can also be a fan beam, a point beam or a cone beam.

[0067] If the beam outlets of the X-ray and the neutron beam are the same, the first detector assembly can be one detector which detects the neutron and the X-ray, and the X-ray and the neutron can be distinguished by the time difference of the X-ray and the neutron reaching the beam outlet.

[0068] If the beam outlets of the X-ray and the neutron beam are separately provided, the X-ray beam outlet and the neutron beam outlet can be sequentially arranged in the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism, and the first detector assembly can be an X-ray detector and a neutron detector which respectively detect the X-ray and the neutron. The X-ray detector corresponds to the X-ray beam outlet, and the neutron detector corresponds to the neutron beam outlet.

[0069] Further, the separation mechanism 4 of the mineral separation device can be a blowing device. In addition, the mineral separation device further comprises a mineral separation bin 5. The blowing device is arranged on one side of the conveying mechanism 1, and the blowing port of the blowing device faces the end of the conveying mechanism 1. The mineral separation bin 5 is arranged below the blowing device. The mineral separation bin 5 comprises a concentrate bin and a barren bin. The mineral is blown into the concentrate bin or the barren bin by the blowing device, so as to realize the separation and sorting of the concentrate and the barren. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the mineral separation bin 5 comprises two bins, i.e. the concentrate bin and the barren bin. However, the number of the mineral separation bin can be determined according to the actual situation.

[0070] Further, the blowing device comprises a high-pressure nozzle, and the high-pressure nozzle comprises an array of air injection holes.

[0071] The spraying timing of the spraying device of the mineral sorting device can be determined according to the conveying speed of the conveying mechanism 1 and the setting position of the spraying device, and the mineral sorting work can be realized by cooperating with the controller described below. In one spraying, the controller can open all or part of the jet holes in the high-pressure nozzle according to the grade and position of the mineral at the moment when the mineral leaves the conveying mechanism 1 and performs a flat throwing movement to reach the spraying position, and sprays the mineral into the corresponding bin.

[0072] The embodiment of the present application also provides a mineral sorting system comprising the mineral sorting device.

[0073] Further, the mineral sorting system of the present application also comprises a crushing device (not shown). The crushing device is arranged upstream of the conveying mechanism 1 and is used to crush the mineral before it enters the conveying mechanism 1. The crushing device can preferably comprise a vibrating crusher and a screen, which preferably has a double-layer structure with a predetermined distance between the two layers and has screen holes with adjustable size, for supplying the mineral with a size within a predetermined range to the conveying mechanism 1.

[0074] Further, the mineral sorting system of the present application can also comprise a controller (not shown). The controller can be communicatively connected with the conveying mechanism 1, the first light source assembly 2, the first detector assembly 3, the sorting mechanism 4, the crushing device, etc., and further control the work of each component. For example, the controller is used to process the ray signal received by the first detector assembly 3, calculate the F factor of each position of the mineral on the conveying mechanism 1, and determine the grade of the mineral based on the F factor, and control the sorting mechanism 4 to sort the mineral with the corresponding grade. For example, the controller determines the size of the mineral based on the dual-mode imaging image of the mineral, associates the size of the mineral with the grade, determines the size range of the mineral, for example, the fine ore, and further determines the size distribution rule, and adjusts the size of the screen hole of the screen of the crushing device in real time according to the size range or the size distribution rule.

[0075] It should be noted that, Figure 3 The mineral sorting device shown comprises one first light source assembly 2 and one first detector assembly 3 arranged correspondingly above and below the conveying mechanism 1. However, one first light source assembly 2 and one first detector assembly 3 can also be arranged respectively on the two sides of the conveying mechanism 1. Alternatively, the mineral sorting device comprises one first light source assembly 2 and one first detector assembly 3 arranged respectively above and below the conveying mechanism 1, and one second light source assembly and one second detector assembly arranged respectively on the two sides of the conveying mechanism 1, so as to perform top and side illumination type double-view angle detection on the mineral on the conveying mechanism 1. By arranging the double-view angle detection mode, the information of the mineral can be more accurately determined, so as to determine the F factor of the element at each pixel point, and further more accurately determine the grade of the mineral.

[0076] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present application also provide a mineral sorting method, which is suitable for a mineral sorting system including the mineral sorting device and the controller.

[0077] As shown in Figure 4 the mineral sorting method provided by the embodiments of the present application includes the following steps:

[0078] S10: performing dual-mode imaging on the mineral by irradiating the mineral with neutrons and X-rays;

[0079] S20: distinguishing the mineral into different grades of minerals according to the dual-mode imaging result;

[0080] S30: separating the different grades of minerals.

[0081] The controller controls the light source assembly, the conveying mechanism, the detector assembly and the sorting mechanism to work, the light source assembly emits X-rays and neutron rays, the conveying mechanism conveys the mineral, and the detector assembly detects and obtains the detection data of the X-rays and the neutron rays.

[0082] In some exemplary embodiments, the step S10 can include the following steps:

[0083] S11: detecting the detection data of the X-rays and the neutrons under the conditions of being attenuated by the mineral and not being attenuated by the mineral by using the detector assembly, to obtain X-ray no-mineral detection data, X-ray with-mineral detection data, neutron no-mineral detection data and neutron with-mineral detection data;

[0084] S12: determining the ratio of the differential cross section of the element at each pixel point to the neutrons and the X-rays according to the X-ray no-mineral detection data, the X-ray with-mineral detection data, the neutron no-mineral detection data and the neutron with-mineral detection data, and performing dual-mode imaging based on the ratio.

[0085] In the step S11, the detection data of the X-rays and the neutrons under the condition of not being attenuated by the mineral can also be the detection data collected and stored in advance under the condition of no mineral on the conveying mechanism. In this way, only the detection data attenuated by the mineral needs to be processed, thereby reducing the data processing burden.

[0086] In some exemplary embodiments, the step S20 can include the following steps:

[0087] S21: determining the element type at each pixel point based on the ratio of the differential cross section of the element at each pixel point to the neutrons and the X-rays;

[0088] S22: determining the distribution of the target element based on the element type at each pixel point, calculating the proportion of the target element in the mineral, and taking the proportion as the grade of the target element.

[0089] S23: determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore according to the grade of the target element.

[0090] In some example embodiments, step S21 can comprise: comparing and matching the slope inverse of each element and oxide in the F-factor and the slope inverse of each element and oxide in the oxide factor, thereby determining the type of the element. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 In some example embodiments, step S22 can comprise: based on the type of the element at each pixel point, marking different elements in different colors (e.g. different gray scales) in the projection area of the mineral, thereby determining the distribution of the target element, determining the proportion of the target element in the mineral based on the distribution area (e.g. area) of the target element, and obtaining the grade of the target element.

[0091] In some example embodiments, step S23 can comprise: comparing the grade of the target element in the mineral with a preset grade threshold value, and determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore based on the corresponding relationship between the preset grade threshold value and the concentrate or the lean ore.

[0092] In some example embodiments, step S23 can comprise: comparing the grade of the target element in the mineral with a preset grade threshold value, and determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore based on the corresponding relationship between the preset grade threshold value and the concentrate or the lean ore.

[0093] The corresponding relationship between the preset grade factor threshold value and the concentrate or the lean ore can be set as follows: the grade less than 1.5% is a non-concentrate, the grade greater than or equal to 1.5% and less than 1.8% is a concentrate, and the grade greater than or equal to 1.8% is a high-quality concentrate.

[0094] Before ore dressing, the optimal crushing size can be analyzed according to the ore samples of different mines, and within the preferred crushing particle size range, the mineral sorting method is used for double-mode imaging of the mineral to calculate the grade and select as many high-grade minerals as possible. As described above, the crushing size can also be analyzed and adjusted during the mineral sorting.

[0095] In some preferred embodiments, the mineral comprises a lithium mineral, and the target element is lithium; or the mineral comprises a boron mineral, and the target element is boron.

[0096] The mineral sorting method according to the present application can reduce environmental pollution, reduce water consumption, reduce ore dressing cost, reduce energy consumption, and achieve stable and reliable quality of the ore dressing product. The mineral sorting method of the present application is particularly suitable for sorting of lithium ore and boron ore.

[0097] According to the mineral sorting method of the present application, the F-factor of each position in the mineral can be determined through double-mode imaging, thereby determining the type of the element at each position in the mineral. Referring to Figure 5, the results of material identification imaging of a lithium mineral using dual-mode imaging (gray scale display), but in the corresponding RGB (red, green, blue) mode, the distribution characteristics of the lithium mineral can be clearly seen. This is because Li or Li2O, B or B2O3 has a higher neutron analysis sensitivity than other elements, and through dual-mode imaging, they can be easily distinguished from other elements based on the ratio of their differential cross sections for neutrons and X-rays. For example, sodium minerals are difficult to distinguish from, for example, potassium minerals based on the ratio of their differential cross sections for neutrons and X-rays.

[0098] In the description of the present application, it needs to be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0099] The present application uses first, second, and the like to describe various information, but these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, the first information can also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information can also be referred to as the first information without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0100] In the description of the present application, it needs to be understood that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate medium, or it can be the communication between two elements, it can be wireless connection, or wired connection. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0101] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and the explanation of the applied technical principles. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the application involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above technical features, and should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the above features and the technical features disclosed in the present application (but not limited to) with similar functions are replaced with each other to form a technical solution.

Claims

1. A mineral sorting device, characterized in that, include: The conveying mechanism, the first light source assembly located above the conveying mechanism, the first detector assembly located below the conveying mechanism, and the sorting mechanism; The first light source assembly is used to emit neutron rays and X-rays to irradiate the mineral; The first detector assembly is used to detect and acquire detection data of X-rays under mineral attenuation and without mineral attenuation, and detection data of neutron rays under mineral attenuation and without mineral attenuation; The sorting mechanism is used to separate the minerals; and The controller is communicatively connected to the first light source assembly, the conveying mechanism, the first detector assembly, and the sorting mechanism. It utilizes the first detector assembly to detect X-ray detection data under mineral attenuation and non-mineral attenuation conditions, and neutron detection data under mineral attenuation and non-mineral attenuation conditions, to obtain X-ray mineral-free detection data, X-ray mineral-containing detection data, neutron mineral-free detection data, and neutron mineral-containing detection data. Based on these data, it determines the ratio of the differential cross-section of the element at each pixel point in the mineral to neutrons and X-rays, and performs dual-mode imaging based on this ratio. Then, based on the dual-mode imaging results, it classifies the minerals into different grades, including determining the element type at each pixel point based on the ratio of the differential cross-section of the element at each pixel point to neutrons and X-rays. The distribution of the target element is determined based on the element type at each pixel, the proportion of the target element in the mineral is calculated, and the proportion is used as the grade of the target element; the mineral is determined to be a concentrate or a lean ore based on the grade of the target element.

2. The mineral sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light source assembly includes a first light source and a second light source that are independent of each other. The first light source is used to emit neutron rays to irradiate the mineral, and the second light source is used to emit X-rays to irradiate the mineral. The first light source and the second light source are arranged sequentially in the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism.

3. The mineral sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first detector assembly includes a neutron detector and an X-ray detector that are independent of each other.

4. The mineral sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second light source assembly disposed on one side of the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism and a second detector assembly disposed on the other side.

5. The mineral sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The sorting mechanism is a jetting device, which is configured to separate the minerals leaving the conveying mechanism.

6. The mineral sorting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The jetting device includes a high-pressure nozzle, which includes an array of jet holes.

7. A mineral sorting method, characterized in that, Applicable to mineral sorting systems, said mineral sorting systems comprising the mineral sorting apparatus and controller as described in any one of claims 1-6, said method comprising the following steps: S10: Perform dual-mode imaging of minerals irradiated with neutrons and X-rays, including: S11: Detecting X-ray detection data under mineral attenuation and non-mineral attenuation, and neutron ray detection data under mineral attenuation and non-mineral attenuation, using a detector assembly to obtain X-ray mineral-free detection data, X-ray mineral-containing detection data, neutron mineral-free detection data, and neutron mineral-containing detection data; S12: Determining the ratio of the differential cross-section of each element at each pixel point in the mineral to neutrons and X-rays based on the X-ray mineral-free detection data, X-ray mineral-containing detection data, neutron mineral-free detection data, and neutron mineral-containing detection data, and performing dual-mode imaging based on the ratio; S20: Based on the dual-mode imaging results, the minerals are classified into minerals of different grades, including: S21: Determining the element type at each pixel based on the ratio of the element's differential cross-section with respect to neutrons and X-rays; S22: Determining the distribution of the target element based on the element type at each pixel, calculating the proportion of the target element in the mineral, and using the proportion as the grade of the target element; S23: Determining whether the mineral is a concentrate or a lean ore based on the grade of the target element. S30: Separate the minerals of different grades.

8. The mineral sorting method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Step S23 includes: The grade of the target element is compared with a preset grade threshold. Based on the correspondence between the preset grade threshold and concentrate and lean ore, it is determined whether the mineral is concentrate or lean ore.

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