An apparatus for increasing the underflow solids concentration of a thickener

Abstract

The application relates to a device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of the underflow of a thickener, which comprises an outer cylinder, a centrifugal assembly and a backflow assembly, the centrifugal assembly comprises an inner cylinder, a screen and a driving part, the inner cylinder is arranged in the outer cylinder and rotationally connected with the outer cylinder, the screen is arranged at an opening formed on the outer wall of the inner cylinder, the top of the inner cylinder is formed with a feeding port communicated with the underflow of a higher-level thickener and the overflow of a lower-level thickener, the bottom of the inner cylinder is formed with a discharging port, and the outer wall of the inner cylinder above the screen is provided with an overflow port, the driving part is installed on the outer cylinder, the output end of the driving part is connected with the inner cylinder, and the backflow assembly is communicated with the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder; the device can realize the separation of light and heavy particles and increase the solid content of the ore slurry, so as to improve the washing efficiency of the thickener, the device can reduce the stage number of the thickener and reduce the water absorption ratio, and the cost is effectively saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thickener technology, and more particularly to a device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow. Background Technology

[0002] With the dwindling availability of exploitable nickel sulfide ore resources, attention has gradually shifted to nickel oxide ore. Mining methods for nickel oxide ore mainly include reduction roasting-atmospheric pressure ammonia leaching and high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching. Among these, high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching has become the mainstream process for processing laterite nickel ore due to its advantages of high recovery rate, low energy consumption, and environmental friendliness. The high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching process mainly includes: ore washing, pressure leaching, slurry neutralization, countercurrent washing, leaching solution impurity removal, and nickel-cobalt precipitation. Valuable metals are easily lost in the CCD countercurrent washing process, resulting in a decrease in the direct recovery rate of valuable metals. Therefore, improving the efficiency of CCD countercurrent washing in the high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching process has become an important research topic.

[0003] To ensure the direct recovery rate of valuable metals, methods such as increasing the number of thickener stages, increasing the wash-to-water ratio, and improving flocculants are generally adopted. These methods can all improve the efficiency of countercurrent washing, but each has its limitations. Specifically, increasing the number of thickener stages requires a large amount of land, increasing initial investment costs; increasing the wash-to-water ratio leads to a decrease in the metal content of the autoclave leachate, which is detrimental to sedimentation in downstream processes; and improving flocculants increases auxiliary material costs.

[0004] Therefore, further research and development of efficient solid-liquid separation methods are needed to improve the sedimentation efficiency of thickeners, reduce production costs, simplify operating procedures, and enhance solid-liquid separation performance. This will have a significant impact on the efficiency of downstream nickel-cobalt plating processes, control of auxiliary material costs, and product quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow, in order to solve the problem of how to increase the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow.

[0006] This invention provides a device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow, comprising an outer cylinder, a centrifugal assembly, and a reflux assembly. The centrifugal assembly includes an inner cylinder, a screen, and a drive component. The inner cylinder is disposed within the outer cylinder and rotatably connected to it. The screen is arranged at an opening formed on the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The top of the inner cylinder has an inlet connected to the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener, and the bottom of the inner cylinder has an outlet. An overflow port is provided on the outer wall of the inner cylinder above the screen. The drive component is mounted on the outer cylinder, and its output end is connected to the inner cylinder to drive the inner cylinder to rotate. The reflux assembly is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to draw fluid from the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder into the upper thickener.

[0007] Furthermore, the inner cylinder has multiple openings on its side wall, which are evenly arranged around the circumference of the inner cylinder, and multiple screens are arranged in the multiple openings of the inner cylinder.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes an annular slider, the bottom of which is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder, the top of which extends to the outside of the outer cylinder and is connected to the output end of the drive component, and the annular slider is rotatably and sealingly connected to the outer cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a feed pipe and a discharge pipe. One end of the feed pipe is connected to the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener, and the other end of the feed pipe is connected to the feed port of the inner cylinder. A valve is installed on the discharge pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes an upper underflow pipe and a lower overflow pipe. The top end of the feed pipe is closed, and the bottom end of the feed pipe is connected to the feed port of the inner cylinder. One side of the feed pipe is connected to the underflow of the upper thickener via the upper underflow pipe, and the other side of the feed pipe is connected to the overflow of the lower thickener via the lower overflow pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the driving component includes a motor, a rotating shaft, a gear, and a ring rack. The motor is mounted on the top of the outer cylinder, and the output end of the motor is connected to the rotating shaft. The rack is disposed on the rotating shaft, and the ring rack is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder. The gear meshes with the ring rack.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a baffle plate, which is built into the inner cylinder and located between the screen and the overflow port. The feed pipe extends into the inner cylinder, and the baffle plate is fixedly connected to the feed pipe. An overflow gap is formed between the baffle plate and the inner wall of the inner cylinder.

[0013] Furthermore, the partition plate has multiple through holes.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes multiple layered plates, which are positioned directly opposite the screen and arranged sequentially on the feed pipe along its extension direction. A flow guide gap is formed between the multiple layered plates and the screen. Multiple sets of oblique holes are provided on the side wall of the feed pipe, which are directly opposite the multiple layered plates. Each set of oblique holes corresponds to one of the multiple layered plates. The oblique hole sets are located above the layered plates and include multiple oblique holes that are evenly arranged along the circumference of the feed pipe and point downwards at the corresponding layered plates.

[0015] Furthermore, the reflux assembly includes a reflux pipe and a reflux pump. One end of the reflux pipe is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and the other end of the reflux pipe is connected to the upper thickener via the reflux pump.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, this method introduces the underflow from the upper thickener and the overflow from the lower thickener into the inner cylinder through the feed inlet. As the inner cylinder rotates, centrifugal force causes some light mineral particles to pass through the screen into the gap between the outer and inner cylinders, while another portion flows upwards from the overflow outlet into the gap between the outer and inner cylinders. The light mineral particles are then returned to the upper thickener by the reflux component, while the heavy mineral particles are intercepted by the screen and ultimately discharged from the outlet into the lower thickener. This achieves the separation of light and heavy mineral particles, increasing the solids content of the slurry and thus improving the washing efficiency of the thickener. This equipment can also reduce the number of thickener stages and lower the water absorption ratio, effectively saving costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of the underflow of a thickener, provided in an embodiment of the present invention, installed in the upper and lower stage thickeners;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of the thickener bottom flow, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020] like Figure 1-2As shown, the present invention provides a device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow, comprising an outer cylinder 100, a centrifugal assembly 200, and a reflux assembly 300. The centrifugal assembly 200 includes an inner cylinder 210, a screen 220, and a drive component 230. The inner cylinder 210 is disposed within the outer cylinder 100 and rotatably connected to it. The screen 220 is arranged at an opening formed on the outer wall of the inner cylinder 210. The top of the inner cylinder 210 forms an opening that interacts with the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener. The feed inlet is connected to the bottom of the inner cylinder 210 to form the discharge outlet, and the outer wall of the inner cylinder 210 above the screen 220 is provided with an overflow port 213. The drive component 230 is installed on the outer cylinder 100, and the output end of the drive component 230 is connected to the inner cylinder 210 to drive the inner cylinder 210 to rotate. The return component 300 is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210 to draw the fluid in the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210 to the upper thickener.

[0021] In practice, the underflow from the upper thickener and the overflow from the lower thickener are introduced into the inner cylinder 210 through the feed inlet. As the inner cylinder 210 rotates, centrifugal force causes some light mineral particles to pass through the screen 220 into the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210. Another portion of the light mineral particles flows upwards from the overflow port 213 into the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210. The light mineral particles are returned to the upper thickener by the return component 300, while the heavy mineral particles are intercepted by the screen 220 and finally discharged from the discharge port into the lower thickener. This process achieves separation of light and heavy mineral particles, increasing the solids content of the slurry and thus improving the washing efficiency of the thickener. This equipment can reduce the number of thickener stages and lower the water absorption ratio, effectively saving costs.

[0022] In this embodiment, the centrifugal assembly 200 is used to separate light mineral particles and heavy mineral particles. The outer cylinder 100 is used to receive the separated light mineral particles and guide them to the upper thickener via the reflux assembly 300. At the same time, the discharge port at the bottom of the inner cylinder 210 can guide the separated heavy mineral particles to the lower thickener to increase the solid content of the slurry in the lower thickener.

[0023] It should be noted that multiple thickeners are installed during the high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching process. This equipment is installed between two adjacent thickeners, and along the slurry flow direction, the sequence is: upper thickener, this equipment, and lower thickener.

[0024] In one embodiment, the inner cylinder 210 has multiple openings on its sidewall, which are evenly arranged around the circumference of the inner cylinder 210. The inner cylinder 210 also has multiple screens 220, which are arranged in the multiple openings of the inner cylinder 210.

[0025] In one embodiment, an annular slider is also included. The bottom of the annular slider is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder 210, and the top of the annular slider extends to the outside of the outer cylinder 100 and is connected to the output end of the drive member 230. The annular slider rotates and is sealed to the outer cylinder 100.

[0026] In one embodiment, the system further includes a feed pipe 211 and a discharge pipe 212. One end of the feed pipe 211 is connected to the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener, and the other end of the feed pipe 211 is connected to the feed inlet of the inner cylinder 210. A valve is installed on the discharge pipe 212. The system also includes an upper underflow pipe 214 and a lower overflow pipe 215. The top end of the feed pipe 211 is closed, and the bottom end of the feed pipe 211 is connected to the feed inlet of the inner cylinder 210. One side of the feed pipe 211 is connected to the underflow of the upper thickener via the upper underflow pipe 214, and the other side of the feed pipe 211 is connected to the overflow of the lower thickener via the lower overflow pipe 215.

[0027] In one embodiment, the drive unit 230 includes a motor, a rotating shaft, a gear, and a ring rack. The motor is mounted on the top of the outer cylinder 100, and the output end of the motor is connected to the rotating shaft. The rack is disposed on the rotating shaft, and the ring rack is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder 210. The gear meshes with the ring rack.

[0028] To prevent the solution introduced into the inner cylinder 210 via the feed pipe 211 from surging upwards, and to prevent some solution from being directly discharged from the overflow port 213 without centrifugation, this embodiment also includes a baffle 240. The baffle 240 is built into the inner cylinder 210 and located between the screen 220 and the overflow port 213. The feed pipe 211 extends into the inner cylinder 210, and the baffle 240 is fixedly connected to the feed pipe 211. An overflow gap is formed between the baffle 240 and the inner wall of the inner cylinder 210. The baffle 240 has multiple through holes 241.

[0029] To improve the separation effect, this embodiment also includes multiple layered plates 250. The multiple layered plates 250 are located directly opposite the screen 220 and are arranged sequentially on the feed pipe 211 along the extension direction of the feed pipe 211. A flow guiding gap is formed between the multiple layered plates 250 and the screen 220. Multiple sets of oblique holes are provided on the side wall of the feed pipe 211, directly opposite the multiple layered plates 250. The multiple sets of oblique holes correspond one-to-one with the multiple layered plates 250. The sets of oblique holes are located above the layered plates 250. The sets of oblique holes include multiple oblique holes that are evenly arranged around the feed pipe 211 and point downwards at the corresponding layered plates 250.

[0030] If the aforementioned layering plate 250 is not installed, most of the heavy mineral particles will accumulate below the screen 220, causing the heavy mineral particles to block the holes of the screen 220, and some light mineral particles will not be able to pass through the screen 220. Therefore, the slurry is introduced to the multiple layering plates 250 through the multiple inclined holes of the feed pipe 211, which can prevent the accumulation of heavy mineral particles from affecting the separation function of the screen 220.

[0031] The reflux assembly 300 in this embodiment includes a reflux pipe 310 and a reflux pump 320. One end of the reflux pipe 310 is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210, and the other end of the reflux pipe 310 is connected to the upper thickener via the reflux pump 320.

[0032] Compared with existing technologies: By introducing the underflow from the upper thickener and the overflow from the lower thickener into the inner cylinder 210 from the feed inlet, and rotating the inner cylinder 210, under the action of centrifugal force, some light mineral particles pass through the screen 220 into the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210, while the other part of the light mineral particles flow upward from the overflow port 213 into the gap between the outer cylinder 100 and the inner cylinder 210. The light mineral particles are returned to the upper thickener by the return component 300, while the heavy mineral particles are intercepted by the screen 220 and finally discharged from the discharge port into the lower thickener. This can achieve the separation of light and heavy mineral particles, thereby increasing the solid content of the slurry and improving the washing efficiency of the thickener. This equipment can reduce the number of thickener stages and reduce the water absorption ratio, effectively saving costs.

[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow, characterized in that, Includes outer cylinder, centrifugal assembly, and reflux assembly; The centrifugal assembly includes an inner cylinder, a screen, and a drive unit. The inner cylinder is disposed inside the outer cylinder and rotatably connected to the outer cylinder. The screen is arranged at an opening formed on the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The top of the inner cylinder has an inlet connected to the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener. The bottom of the inner cylinder has an outlet. An overflow port is provided on the outer wall of the inner cylinder above the screen. The drive unit is mounted on the outer cylinder, and the output end of the drive unit is connected to the inner cylinder to drive the inner cylinder to rotate. The reflux assembly is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and is used to draw the fluid in the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder into the upper thickener.

2. The device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cylinder has multiple openings on its side wall, which are evenly arranged around the circumference of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder also has multiple screens, which are respectively arranged in the multiple openings of the inner cylinder.

3. The device for improving the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an annular slider, the bottom of which is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder, the top of which extends to the outside of the outer cylinder and is connected to the output end of the drive component, and the annular slider is rotatably and sealingly connected to the outer cylinder.

4. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a feed pipe and a discharge pipe. One end of the feed pipe is connected to the underflow of the upper thickener and the overflow of the lower thickener, and the other end of the feed pipe is connected to the feed port of the inner cylinder. A valve is installed on the discharge pipe.

5. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an upper underflow pipe and a lower overflow pipe. The top of the feed pipe is closed, and the bottom of the feed pipe is connected to the feed port of the inner cylinder. One side of the feed pipe is connected to the upper thickener underflow pipe via the upper underflow pipe, and the other side of the feed pipe is connected to the lower thickener overflow pipe via the lower overflow pipe.

6. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes a motor, a rotating shaft, a gear, and a ring rack. The motor is mounted on the top of the outer cylinder, and the output end of the motor is connected to the rotating shaft. The rack is disposed on the rotating shaft, and the ring rack is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder. The gear meshes with the ring rack.

7. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a baffle plate, which is built into the inner cylinder and located between the screen and the overflow port. The feed pipe extends into the inner cylinder, and the baffle plate is fixedly connected to the feed pipe. An overflow gap is formed between the baffle plate and the inner wall of the inner cylinder.

8. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 7, characterized in that, The partition plate has multiple through holes.

9. The device for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes multiple layered plates, which are positioned directly opposite the screen and arranged sequentially on the feed pipe along its extension direction. A flow guide gap is formed between the multiple layered plates and the screen. Multiple sets of oblique holes are provided on the side wall of the feed pipe, which are directly opposite the multiple layered plates. Each set of oblique holes corresponds to one of the multiple layered plates. The oblique hole sets are located above the layered plates and include multiple oblique holes that are evenly arranged along the circumference of the feed pipe and point downwards at the corresponding layered plates.

10. The apparatus for increasing the solid-liquid ratio of thickener underflow according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflux assembly includes a reflux pipe and a reflux pump. One end of the reflux pipe is connected to the gap between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and the other end of the reflux pipe is connected to the upper thickener via the reflux pump.

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