Evaporation apparatus and method suitable for use in an in-situ leaching uranium evaporation pond

Abstract

The application provides an evaporation device and method suitable for in-situ leaching uranium evaporation ponds, which comprises a cylinder, a fan, an inverted cone-shaped cylinder, a float support, a float, a sewage pump, a gas-liquid outlet pipe and an atomizing nozzle; the bottom end of the cylinder is connected with the top end of the inverted cone-shaped cylinder, and the fan is arranged at the upper part in the cylinder; the middle of the float support is provided with a through hole matched with the bottom end of the inverted cone-shaped cylinder, and the bottom end of the inverted cone-shaped cylinder penetrates through the through hole; the bottom end of the inverted cone-shaped cylinder is provided with a connecting hole; the first end of the gas-liquid outlet pipe is communicated with the connecting hole, and the second end of the gas-liquid outlet pipe is provided with the atomizing nozzle; the float is fixed at the bottom of the float support and located at a position where the gas-liquid outlet pipe is not arranged; the sewage pump is fixed at the bottom of the float support, and the liquid outlet of the sewage pump is communicated with the inverted cone-shaped cylinder. The application can realize floating movement on the liquid surface to be evaporated, the device structure is compact, and the evaporation speed of waste liquid and the flexibility of use can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of waste liquid evaporation technology, and in particular to an evaporation device and method suitable for uranium leaching evaporation ponds. Background Technology

[0002] In-situ leaching uranium mining, or uranium leaching mining for short, is a highly efficient mining process that integrates mining and metallurgy. It involves selectively dissolving the useful components in ore through the reaction of a leaching agent with the minerals under natural burial conditions, without displacing the ore. In this process, a prepared leaching agent is injected underground through an injection borehole. The leaching agent seeps along the ore layer, leaching uranium from the ore to form a leachate. This leachate can then be pumped to the surface through a pumping borehole, where it can be treated hydrometallurgically to separate and recover metallic uranium.

[0003] Waste liquid generated during leaching and hydrometallurgical processes is usually discharged into evaporation ponds for natural evaporation. The main sources of waste liquid in in-situ leaching mines are: (1) To effectively control the leaching range, the amount of liquid extracted from the extraction borehole is generally 0.3 to 1.0% greater than the amount injected from the injection borehole, so that a "falling funnel" is formed at the bottom of the extraction borehole. The excess leaching liquid is discharged into the evaporation pond after ion exchange adsorption; (2) After the leaching liquid undergoes adsorption, rinsing, acidification, precipitation and other processes, part of the precipitate mother liquor is used to prepare rinsing agent, and part is discharged into the evaporation pond; (3) As the in-situ leaching process proceeds, the resin in the ion exchange tower will caking, which will affect the adsorption and rinsing effect. To prevent or mitigate this phenomenon, backflushing liquid is set up to rinse the resin, and the backflushing tail liquid is discharged into the evaporation pond; (4) Waste liquid on the ground inside the plant.

[0004] Although the natural evaporation method can make full use of local natural conditions for waste liquid treatment, it also has many obvious shortcomings, such as: (1) it is greatly affected by local natural conditions, the evaporation in winter is small, and it is only suitable for areas where the evaporation is greater than the rainfall; (2) the construction of evaporation ponds requires large-scale earthmoving, and the surface restoration after decommissioning is difficult; (3) large-scale evaporation ponds also require investment in land acquisition, land leasing, construction and maintenance.

[0005] In existing technologies, the evaporation effect is often enhanced by using external fields. Most studies employ heaters to heat the waste liquid (accelerating molecular thermal motion), as described in existing patent documents CN213834611U and CN210511314U. For uranium leaching waste liquid, existing patent document CN114477337A proposes using sulfuric acid dilution exothermic technology to accelerate evaporation; existing patent document CN104609487A uses a submersible pump to evenly distribute the waste liquid onto the substrate material, then utilizes wind or solar energy to accelerate evaporation. However, the equipment provided in existing patent documents is relatively large, economical, and has only moderate evaporation effect. Furthermore, the devices are all fixed, making them inconvenient for on-site use. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides an evaporation device and method suitable for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining, which enables floating and moving on the surface of the liquid to be evaporated. The device has a compact structure and can improve the evaporation rate of waste liquid and the flexibility of use.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows:

[0008] An evaporation device suitable for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining includes: a cylinder, a blower, an inverted conical cylinder, a float frame, a float, a wastewater pump, a gas-liquid outlet pipe, and an atomizing nozzle;

[0009] The bottom end of the cylindrical body is connected to the top end of the inverted conical cylindrical body, and the fan is located in the upper part of the cylindrical body;

[0010] The float frame has a through hole in the middle that matches the bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder. The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder passes through the through hole, and the float frame and the inverted conical cylinder are connected by a connecting rope.

[0011] The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder has a connecting hole; the first end of the gas-liquid outlet pipe is connected to the connecting hole, and the second end of the pipe is equipped with an atomizing nozzle.

[0012] The float is fixed to the bottom of the float frame and is located in a position where no gas-liquid outlet pipe is installed;

[0013] The sewage pump is fixed at the bottom of the float frame and located inside the float. The inlet of the sewage pump is set in the waste liquid, and its outlet is connected to the inverted conical cylinder.

[0014] Preferably, the float frame has a square structure, with a first tensioning ring at each of its four corners; a second tensioning ring corresponding to the first tensioning ring is provided on the outer side wall of the top of the inverted conical cylinder; one end of the connecting rope is tied to the first tensioning ring and the other end is tied to the second tensioning ring.

[0015] Preferably, a traction ring is provided on each of the four sides of the float frame, and a traction rope is connected to the traction ring.

[0016] Preferably, the float is provided in four pieces, which are respectively located at the four corners of the bottom of the float frame, and the four floats form a cross-shaped gap between them; the connecting hole of the inverted conical cylinder is connected to four gas-liquid outlet pipes with atomizing nozzles through a five-way connecting valve, and the four gas-liquid outlet pipes are respectively located in the cross-shaped gap between the floats.

[0017] Preferably, the float has a cavity that matches the shape of the sewage pump, the sewage pump is located in the cavity of the float, and the inlet of the sewage pump extends through the bottom of the float and enters the waste liquid.

[0018] Preferably, the outlet of the sewage pump is connected to the inverted conical cylinder via a delivery pipe.

[0019] Preferably, a filter screen is also provided at the top of the cylinder, and the filter screen is located above the fan.

[0020] Preferably, the fan includes: a motor, fan blades, and a motor power cable; the fan blades are disposed below the motor, and the motor is connected to a power source via the motor power cable.

[0021] Preferably, the sewage pump is connected to the power source via a sewage pump power cord; the length of both the motor power cord and the sewage pump power cord is not less than 20 meters.

[0022] Preferably, the float is fixed to the float frame by adhesive.

[0023] As can be seen above, in the evaporation device of this invention, air and wastewater are drawn into the inverted conical cylinder by a fan and a sewage pump, respectively, and the gas-liquid mixture is sprayed out at high speed through an atomizing nozzle, thereby increasing the evaporation rate of the wastewater. By setting up a float frame and floats, the evaporation device can float and move on the liquid surface, making it flexible and easy to operate. Multiple evaporation devices can be placed on the liquid surface at the same time, greatly improving the evaporation efficiency. Furthermore, by rationally designing the structure of the evaporation device, it is compact and small in size, which facilitates disassembly and transportation and saves manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporation device for uranium leaching evaporation ponds according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inverted conical cylinder in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the float frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of an evaporation apparatus suitable for in-situ uranium leaching evaporation ponds according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the filter screen in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the present invention provides an evaporation device suitable for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining, comprising: a cylinder 1, a blower 7, an inverted conical cylinder 2, a float frame 3, a float 5, a sewage pump 6, a gas-liquid outlet pipe 10, and an atomizing nozzle 11;

[0031] The bottom end of the cylindrical body 1 is connected to the top end of the inverted conical cylindrical body 2, and the fan 7 is located in the upper part of the cylindrical body 1;

[0032] The float frame 3 has a through hole 31 in the middle that matches the bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder 2. The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder 2 passes through the through hole 31, and the float frame 3 and the inverted conical cylinder 2 are connected by a connecting rope 4.

[0033] The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder 2 has a connecting hole 21; the first end of the gas-liquid outlet pipe 10 is connected to the connecting hole 21, and the second end is equipped with an atomizing nozzle 11.

[0034] The float 5 is fixed to the bottom of the float frame 3 and is located in a position where the gas-liquid outlet pipe 10 is not installed;

[0035] The sewage pump 6 is fixed at the bottom of the float frame 3 and located inside the float 5. The inlet 61 of the sewage pump 6 is set in the waste liquid, and its outlet is connected to the inverted conical cylinder 2.

[0036] In the technical solution of the present invention, by setting the float frame 3 and the float 5, the evaporation device can float and move on the surface of the liquid to be evaporated, so that the evaporation device can be retrieved when not in use, instead of being left in the evaporation pool for a long time; moreover, the position of the evaporation device can be adjusted according to the wind direction. For example, when the wind blows east, it can be placed near the west bank of the evaporation pool, so as to avoid the waste liquid droplets sprayed by the atomizing nozzle 11 being blown to the outside of the evaporation pool by the wind, thereby preventing waste liquid pollution.

[0037] Furthermore, by fixing the inverted conical cylinder 2 to the bottom of the cylinder 1 and installing a fan 7 inside the cylinder 1, air can be drawn into the cylinder 1 using the fan 7, and the air flows more rapidly at the lower part of the inverted conical cylinder 2. Simultaneously, since a sewage pump 6 is installed at the bottom of the float frame, connected to the waste liquid and the inverted conical cylinder 2, the sewage pump 6 can draw the waste liquid into the inverted conical cylinder 2. Therefore, the air drawn into the cylinder 1 by the fan mixes with the waste liquid drawn by the sewage pump 6 inside the inverted conical cylinder 2 and flows into the gas-liquid outlet pipe 10 connected to its bottom. Finally, the waste liquid is sprayed out in a shower-like manner by the atomizing nozzle 11. Thus, this invention, by spraying the waste liquid at high speed in the form of a gas-liquid mixture to form easily evaporating small droplets, is more energy-efficient and effective than conventional methods that rely solely on temperature and airflow to generate evaporation, significantly increasing the evaporation rate of the liquid to be evaporated. Furthermore, since the above-mentioned evaporation device has a simple structure, small and compact size, and is easy to operate, one or more of the above-mentioned evaporation devices can be directly set on the surface of the liquid to be evaporated. It can be moved and sprayed on the surface of the waste liquid, which is inexpensive, does not require too much labor, and can greatly increase the evaporation efficiency of the liquid to be evaporated (e.g., uranium leaching waste liquid).

[0038] In the technical solution of this invention, various implementation methods can be used to realize the above-mentioned evaporation device suitable for in-situ leaching uranium evaporation ponds. The following will use one implementation method as an example to provide a detailed description of the technical solution of this invention.

[0039] For example, preferably, in one specific embodiment of the invention, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the float frame 3 can be a square structure, with a first tensioning ring 34 at each of its four corners; a second tensioning ring 22 corresponding to the first tensioning ring is provided on the outer wall of the top of the inverted conical cylinder 2; one end of the connecting rope 4 is tied to the first tensioning ring 34, and the other end is tied to the second tensioning ring 22, thereby securing the inverted conical cylinder 2 to the float frame 3. After the evaporation process is completed, both ends of the connecting rope 4 can be untied to separate the inverted conical cylinder 2 from the float frame 3, facilitating collection and transportation and reducing space occupation.

[0040] For example, preferably, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, traction rings 32 can be respectively provided on the four sides of the float frame 3, and traction ropes can be connected to the traction rings 32. The movement direction of the evaporation device can be guided by pulling the traction ropes, so that the position of the evaporation device can be adjusted according to the actual situation, thereby improving its flexibility.

[0041] Furthermore, as an example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 3As shown, the float 5 can be fixedly connected to the float frame 3 by a plurality of screws 33 set on the float frame 3.

[0042] Of course, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the float 5 can also be fixed to the float frame by adhesive.

[0043] Preferably, as an example, the float frame 3 can be made of marine-grade aluminum.

[0044] Additionally, as an example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, four floats 5 can be provided, and they are respectively located at the four corners of the bottom of the float frame 3, forming a cross-shaped gap between the four floats 5; four gas-liquid outlet pipes 10 with atomizing nozzles 11 are connected to the connecting hole 21 of the inverted conical cylinder 2 through a five-way connecting valve 12, and the four gas-liquid outlet pipes 10 are respectively located in the cross-shaped gap between the floats 5, so as to further accelerate the evaporation rate and ensure the balance of the evaporation device.

[0045] Preferably, as an example, in one specific embodiment of the invention, the float 5 may be made of foam material.

[0046] Furthermore, as an example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the float 5 has a cavity that matches the shape of the sewage pump 6. The sewage pump 6 is located inside the cavity of the float 5, and its inlet 61 extends through the bottom of the float 5 into the waste liquid. By placing the sewage pump 6 inside the float 5, the float experiences buoyancy on the liquid surface, which allows the float 5 to support the sewage pump 6, preventing excessive sewage from entering the waste liquid. This not only avoids corrosion of the pump body by the sewage but also further ensures the balance of the evaporation device.

[0047] Additionally, as an example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the outlet of the sewage pump 6 can be connected to the inverted conical cylinder 2 through the infusion pipe 8, so that the sewage pump 6 can draw waste liquid into the inverted conical cylinder 2 and mix it with air.

[0048] Additionally, as an example, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, a filter screen 9 is also provided at the top of the cylinder 1. The filter screen 9 is located above the fan 7, which can prevent the fan 7 from sucking in impurities other than air into the cylinder, thus ensuring the safety of the evaporation device.

[0049] Additionally, preferably, as an example, in one specific embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the fan 7 includes a motor 71, a fan blade 72, and a motor power cable 73; the fan blade 72 is located below the motor 71, and the motor 71 is connected to the power source through the motor power cable 73.

[0050] Preferably, as an example, in one specific embodiment of the invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sewage pump 6 is connected to the power supply via the sewage pump power cord 62.

[0051] Preferably, as an example, the lengths of both the motor power cable 73 and the sewage pump power cable 62 are not less than 20 meters, thus ensuring that the length of the power cables does not affect the operating range of the evaporation device. The power cables can be connected to a land-based power source on the shore of the wastewater pool, allowing for control of the evaporation device's start and stop from land, facilitating operation.

[0052] Additionally, preferably, as an example, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the height-to-diameter ratio of the cylinder 1 can be in the range of 1.5 to 3.0, the height ratio of the cylinder 1 to the inverted conical cylinder 2 can be in the range of 2.0 to 3.0, and the angle between the axis of the inverted conical cylinder 2 and the generatrix can be in the range of 15 to 45°.

[0053] Furthermore, preferably, as an example, in one specific embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical body 1 and the inverted conical cylindrical body 2 can be connected by a flange.

[0054] Preferably, as an example, the cylindrical body 1 and the inverted conical cylindrical body 2 can be made of aluminum or 316L stainless steel.

[0055] For example, in the technical solution of the present invention, an evaporation method suitable for in-situ leaching uranium evaporation ponds is also provided, which can evaporate waste liquid by using the above-mentioned evaporation device suitable for in-situ leaching uranium evaporation ponds through the following steps:

[0056] Step 1: Place the evaporation device on the surface of the liquid to be evaporated, and pull the evaporation device to a preset position on the liquid surface using a traction rope;

[0057] Step 2: Connect the power cord of the ventilation fan and start the fan. The fan will draw outside air into the cylinder and the inverted cone-shaped cylinder.

[0058] Step 3: Connect the sewage pump power cord and start the sewage pump. The sewage pump will draw the waste liquid into the inverted conical cylinder. Air and waste liquid form a gas-liquid mixture in the inverted conical cylinder and spray it out through the gas-liquid outlet pipe and atomizing nozzle.

[0059] Step 4: After the waste liquid has evaporated, first turn off the sewage pump, then turn off the blower, and use the traction rope to pull the evaporation device to the preset appropriate position.

[0060] In summary, in the technical solution of this invention, air and wastewater are drawn into the inverted conical cylinder by a fan and a sewage pump, respectively, and the gas-liquid mixture is sprayed out at high speed through an atomizing nozzle, thereby increasing the evaporation rate of the wastewater. By setting up a float frame and floats, the evaporation device can float and move on the liquid surface, making it flexible and easy to operate. Multiple evaporation devices can be placed on the liquid surface simultaneously, significantly improving the evaporation efficiency. Furthermore, by rationally designing the structure of the evaporation device, it is made compact and small in size, which facilitates disassembly and transportation and saves manufacturing costs.

[0061] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An evaporation device suitable for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining, characterized in that, include: Cylinder, blower, inverted conical cylinder, float frame, float, sewage pump, gas-liquid outlet pipe and atomizing nozzle; The bottom end of the cylindrical body is connected to the top end of the inverted conical cylindrical body, and the fan is located in the upper part of the cylindrical body; The float frame has a through hole in the middle that matches the bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder. The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder passes through the through hole, and the float frame and the inverted conical cylinder are connected by a connecting rope. The bottom end of the inverted conical cylinder has a connecting hole; the first end of the gas-liquid outlet pipe is connected to the connecting hole, and the second end is equipped with an atomizing nozzle. The float is fixed to the bottom of the float frame and is located in a position where no gas-liquid outlet pipe is installed; The sewage pump is fixed to the bottom of the float frame and located inside the float. The inlet of the sewage pump is set in the waste liquid, and its outlet is connected to the inverted conical cylinder. The float frame has a square structure with a first tensioning ring at each of its four corners; a second tensioning ring corresponding to the first tensioning ring is provided on the outer side wall of the top of the inverted conical cylinder; one end of the connecting rope is tied to the first tensioning ring and the other end is tied to the second tensioning ring.

2. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float frame is provided with traction rings on its four sides, and traction ropes are connected to the traction rings.

3. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float is provided in four parts, which are respectively located at the four corners of the bottom of the float frame, forming a cross-shaped gap between the four floats; the connecting hole of the inverted conical cylinder is connected to four gas-liquid outlet pipes with atomizing nozzles through a five-way connecting valve, and the four gas-liquid outlet pipes are respectively located in the cross-shaped gap between the floats.

4. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float has a cavity that matches the shape of the sewage pump. The sewage pump is located inside the cavity of the float, and the inlet of the sewage pump extends through the bottom of the float and enters the waste liquid.

5. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the sewage pump is connected to the inverted conical cylinder via a delivery pipe.

6. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter screen is also installed at the top of the cylinder, and the filter screen is located above the fan.

7. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan includes a motor, fan blades, and a motor power cord; the fan blades are located below the motor, and the motor is connected to a power source via the motor power cord.

8. The evaporation apparatus for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sewage pump is connected to the power source via a sewage pump power cord; the length of both the motor power cord and the sewage pump power cord is not less than 20 meters.

9. An evaporation method suitable for uranium evaporation ponds in in-situ leaching mining, characterized in that, Using the evaporation apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 includes the following steps: Step A: Place the evaporation device on the surface of the liquid to be evaporated, and pull the evaporation device to a preset position on the liquid surface using a traction rope; Step B: Connect the power cord of the ventilation fan and start the fan. The fan will draw outside air into the cylinder and the inverted cone-shaped cylinder. Step C: Connect the sewage pump power cord and start the sewage pump. The sewage pump draws the waste liquid into the inverted conical cylinder. Air and waste liquid form a gas-liquid mixture in the inverted conical cylinder and are sprayed out through the gas-liquid outlet pipe and atomizing nozzle. Step D: After the waste liquid has evaporated, first turn off the sewage pump, then turn off the blower, and use the traction rope to pull the evaporation device to the preset appropriate position.

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