A spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of titanium metal recovery, and particularly relates to a spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, which comprises the following steps: rough separation of the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, fine separation of the concentrate after the rough separation, first-stage scavenging of the tailings after the rough separation, and the tailings after the first-stage scavenging becoming final tailings; vacuum filtration and dehydration of the concentrate after the fine separation to become titanium middlings (product), concentration and classification of the tailings after the fine separation, second-stage scavenging of the underflow after the concentration and classification, return of the tailings after the second-stage scavenging to the first-stage scavenging, and the overflow after the concentration and classification becoming the final tailings; the rough separation, the fine separation, the first-stage scavenging and the second-stage scavenging all adopt spiral chutes for spiral gravity separation. The method can effectively recover ilmenite in the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings before being discharged into a tailings pond, so as to improve resource utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of titanium metal recycling technology, and in particular to a spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings. Background Technology

[0002] Titanium is a strategic and rare resource, often referred to as "steel and vitamins," making the exploration of efficient titanium resource recovery technologies of great significance. Panzhihua, Sichuan Province, is rich in titanium resources, but high-quality titanium resources are scarce, with most occurring as associated minerals, primarily in the form of vanadium-titanium magnetite. Ilmenite, as the titanium carrier mineral, is a typical "poor, fine-grained, and complex" titanium ore resource, making comprehensive recovery and utilization difficult. Although years of scientific research have revealed "strong magnetic separation-flotation" as the optimal process for recovering titanium minerals, the weak magnetism of some gangue makes it difficult for strong magnetic separation to completely remove it, affecting the titanium grade of subsequent flotation feed and ultimately impacting the beneficiation effect. Furthermore, flotation can only recover ilmenite from single minerals or over 90% of intercalated minerals. The beneficiation process also involves the addition of large amounts of reagents such as collectors (e.g., xanthate), frothers (e.g., diesel fuel), and modifiers (e.g., sulfuric acid), resulting in volatile odors, high production costs, complex equipment, and significant investment.

[0003] In recent years, with the increasing utilization of mineral resources, the mining of vanadium-titanium magnetite has gradually shifted from open-pit to underground, resulting in finer mineral particle sizes and increasing beneficiation difficulties. To adapt to these changes in mineral properties, titanium (ore) beneficiation plants have continuously optimized processes and upgraded equipment based on the "high-intensity magnetic separation-flotation" technology. However, a small amount of relatively coarse-grained tailings in the discharged vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings can still be recycled. Currently, this portion of tailings is directly discharged into tailings ponds, causing serious environmental pollution and harm while also occupying a large amount of land resources. Once stockpiled, it is virtually impossible to reuse the resources later, and even if reused, re-extraction from the tailings pond would again consume a large amount of manpower, material resources, and energy.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a spiral gravity separation method for titanium extraction from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings. This method can effectively recover ilmenite from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings before they are discharged into the tailings dam, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0006] This invention provides a spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings undergo roughing operations, the concentrate after roughing operations undergoes fine cleaning operations, the tailings after roughing operations undergo primary scavenging operations, and the tailings after primary scavenging operations become the final tailings.

[0008] The concentrate after the fine selection process is vacuum filtered and dehydrated to become titanium middlings (product). The tailings after the fine selection process are concentrated and classified. The underflow after concentration and classification is subjected to secondary scavenging. The tailings after secondary scavenging are returned to primary scavenging. The overflow after concentration and classification becomes the final tailings.

[0009] The coarse separation, fine separation, primary scavenging, and secondary scavenging operations all employ spiral chute for spiral gravity separation.

[0010] Preferably, the coarse selection operation includes the following steps:

[0011] Vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings undergo a first-stage roughing process, the first-stage roughing process mixes the concentrate and the second-stage roughing process, and the first-stage roughing tailings undergo a first-stage scavenging process.

[0012] The concentrate from the second-stage roughing process is then refined, the concentrate from the second-stage roughing process is returned to the second-stage roughing process, and the tailings from the second-stage roughing process are then subjected to primary scavenging.

[0013] Preferably, the primary scanning operation includes the following steps:

[0014] The tailings from the first-stage roughing and second-stage roughing processes are subjected to a first-stage scavenging process. The concentrate from the first-stage scavenging process is returned to the second-stage roughing process, the concentrate from the first-stage scavenging process is returned to the first-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the first-stage scavenging process enter the second-stage scavenging process.

[0015] The concentrate from the second-stage scavenging process is returned to the first-stage scavenging process, the concentrate from the second-stage scavenging process is returned to the second-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the second-stage scavenging process become the final tailings.

[0016] Preferably, the selection process includes the following steps:

[0017] The roughing concentrate from the second stage is then subjected to a first-stage cleaning process, the cleaning concentrate from the first stage is then subjected to a second-stage cleaning process, the middlings from the first-stage cleaning process are returned to the first-stage cleaning process, and the tailings from the first-stage cleaning process are then concentrated and classified.

[0018] The concentrate from the second stage of refining is then subjected to a third stage of refining; the middlings from the second stage of refining are returned to the second stage of refining; and the tailings from the second stage of refining are returned to the first stage of refining.

[0019] The concentrate from the three-stage refining process is vacuum filtered and dehydrated to become titanium middlings (product). The middlings from the three-stage refining process are returned to the three-stage refining process, and the tailings from the three-stage refining process are returned to the two-stage refining process.

[0020] Preferably, the secondary scanning operation includes the following steps:

[0021] The underflow after concentration and classification is subjected to three-stage scavenging. The concentrate from the three-stage scavenging is returned to the first stage of fine cleaning, the ore from the three-stage scavenging is returned for concentration and classification, and the tailings from the three-stage scavenging are subjected to four-stage scavenging.

[0022] The concentrate from the four-stage scavenging process is returned for concentration and classification, the ore from the four-stage scavenging process is returned to the fourth-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the four-stage scavenging process are returned to the first-stage scavenging process.

[0023] Preferably, before roughing, the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings are diluted and stirred in a mixing tank to dilute the slurry concentration from 40-45% to 30-35%.

[0024] Preferably, the final tailings are treated by a slag separation process to remove large particles of slag and slurry, and the remaining tailings are concentrated by a thickener and then transported to the tailings dam.

[0025] Preferably, the coarse selection and fine selection operations use a 720mm pitch spiral chute.

[0026] Preferably, the primary and secondary sweeping operations employ 640mm pitch spiral chutes.

[0027] Preferably, the concentration and grading are performed using an inclined plate thickener.

[0028] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] (1) The present invention adopts a spiral gravity separation process, which can recover more than 3 / 5 of the rich intergrown bodies, greatly reduce the amount of tailings in the tailings pond, extend the service life of the tailings pond and improve the resource utilization rate.

[0030] (2) This invention differs from the “strong magnetic separation-flotation” process. The spiral gravity separation process mainly uses spiral chute, which has a simple equipment structure, relatively small investment, and can reduce the amount of reagents added, thereby reducing production costs and environmental pollution.

[0031] (3) The dilution stage of this invention can dilute the pulp concentration from 40-45% to 30-35% and improve the stability of the pulp concentration, providing a suitable and stable pulp concentration for spiral gravity separation, thereby improving the separation effect.

[0032] (4) Based on the structural characteristics of the 640mm pitch spiral chute (relatively gentle and with a small slope) and the 720mm pitch spiral chute (with a larger slope) and the changes in slurry concentration and flow rate in the process (the slurry concentration is higher and the flow rate is slower in roughing and cleaning operations; the slurry concentration is lower and the flow rate is faster in scavenging operations), the present invention rationally applies the 640mm pitch spiral to the scavenging operation and the 720mm pitch spiral to the roughing and cleaning operations.

[0033] (5) The various processes of this invention are connected by pipelines. The filtrate after dewatering the concentrate and the overflow water after concentrating the tailings are both introduced into the circulating water system through pipelines, which can minimize the amount of new water added, reduce production costs and effectively save water resources.

[0034] (6) By setting up a slag separation process, the present invention removes large particles of slag, mud and the like, which can ensure that the tailings are smoothly transported to the tailings system by the slag pump.

[0035] (7) By setting up a tailings concentration process, the present invention can control the tailings concentration at 42-43%, which meets the requirements for pipeline transportation and tailings storage ponds. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 The flowchart shows the spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0039] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form includes the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0040] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Example

[0042] The raw material in this embodiment is vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings that have undergone grinding, two strong magnetic separations, and two flotation processes and are ready to be discharged into the tailings pond. It is pumped from the No. 2 pump pool to the mixing tank via a slurry pump. After dilution and stirring, the slurry concentration is diluted from 40-45% to 30-35% and then flows by gravity into the spiral gravity separation process. This can improve the stability of the slurry concentration and provide a suitable and stable slurry concentration for spiral gravity separation, thereby improving the separation effect.

[0043] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, including the following steps:

[0044] First stage roughing: The raw slurry with a concentration of 30-35% is evenly distributed by the distribution box into n spiral chute with a pitch of 720mm and a diameter of Φ1200mm for separation.

[0045] Two-stage roughing: The first stage roughing concentrate and middlings, the second stage roughing middlings, and the first stage scavenging concentrate are pumped to the second stage roughing distribution box by slurry pumps and evenly distributed into n spiral chute with a pitch of 720mm and a diameter of Φ1200mm for separation.

[0046] The first stage of fine separation consists of the roughing concentrate from the second stage, the middlings from the first stage of fine separation, the tailings from the second stage of fine separation, and the scavenging concentrate from the third stage. After mixing, the mixture is pumped to the first stage fine separation distribution box by a slurry pump and evenly distributed into n spiral chute 720mm pitch Φ1200mm for separation.

[0047] Secondary refining: The concentrate from the primary refining stage, the middlings from the secondary refining stage, and the tailings from the tertiary refining stage are mixed and pumped to the secondary refining distribution box by a slurry pump, and then evenly distributed into n spiral chutes with a 720mm pitch and a Φ1200mm diameter for separation.

[0048] Three-stage selection: The concentrate from the second stage selection and the middlings from the third stage selection are mixed and pumped to the third stage selection distribution box by a slurry pump. They are then evenly distributed into n spiral chute 720mm pitch Φ1200mm for separation. The concentrate from the third stage selection is then vacuum filtered and dewatered to become the final product, titanium middlings.

[0049] First stage scavenging: a total of n units, of which (1) the tailings from the first stage roughing flow into the first stage scavenging distribution box by gravity, and are evenly distributed into a portion of the spiral chute with a pitch of 640mm and a diameter of 1200mm for separation; (2) the ore from the first stage scavenging, the concentrate from the second stage scavenging, and the tailings from the second stage roughing are mixed and then pumped to the first stage scavenging (partial) distribution box by slurry pump, and are evenly distributed into a portion of the spiral chute with a pitch of 640mm and a diameter of 1200mm for separation; (3) the tailings from the fourth stage scavenging are pumped to the first stage scavenging (remaining part) distribution box by slurry pump, and are evenly distributed into the remaining portion of the spiral chute with a pitch of 640mm and a diameter of 1200mm for separation.

[0050] Two-stage scavenging: The tailings from the first-stage scavenging are mixed with the ore from the second-stage scavenging and then pumped to the second-stage scavenging distribution box by a slurry pump. The ore is then evenly distributed into n spiral chutes with a 640mm pitch and a Φ1200mm diameter for separation. The tailings from the second-stage scavenging and the overflow from the (inclined plate thickener) thickener are the final tailings.

[0051] Three-stage scavenging: The tailings from the first stage, the ore from the third stage, and the concentrate from the fourth stage are pumped to the inclined plate thickener for concentration and classification via slurry pumps. After mixing with the concentrated underflow, the slurry is pumped to the three-stage scavenging distribution box and evenly distributed into n spiral chutes with a pitch of 640mm and a diameter of Φ1200mm for separation.

[0052] Four-stage scavenging: The tailings from the three-stage scavenging are mixed with the ore from the four-stage scavenging and then pumped to the four-stage scavenging distribution box by a slurry pump. The mixture is then evenly distributed into n spiral chutes with a 640mm pitch and a Φ1200mm diameter for separation.

[0053] Note: n represents different quantities above.

[0054] Unlike the "strong magnetic separation-flotation" process, the spiral gravity separation process used in this invention mainly adopts a spiral chute. Its equipment structure is simple, the investment is relatively small, and it can reduce the amount of reagents added, thereby reducing production costs and environmental pollution.

[0055] Roughing operations (first-stage roughing, second-stage roughing) and cleaning operations (first-stage cleaning, second-stage cleaning, third-stage cleaning) have higher pulp concentrations and slower flow rates; primary scavenging operations (first-stage scavenging, second-stage scavenging) and secondary scavenging operations (third-stage scavenging, fourth-stage scavenging) have lower pulp concentrations and faster flow rates; based on the structural characteristics of the 720mm pitch spiral chute with its larger slope, it is applied to roughing and cleaning operations, while based on the structural characteristics of the 640mm pitch spiral chute with its gentler slope, it is applied to primary and secondary scavenging operations.

[0056] In this embodiment, approximately 86% of the ilmenite in the raw ore is rich in intergrowths. Using a spiral gravity separation process, the yield can reach approximately 1.2%, which can significantly reduce the amount of tailings in the tailings dam, extend the service life of the tailings dam, and improve resource utilization.

[0057] Concentrate dewatering: The three-stage refined concentrate is pumped to a disc vacuum filter for dewatering to obtain titanium middlings product with a water content of less than 12%. It is then transported to the stockpile for storage and sale via belt conveyor. The filtrate enters the plant's water recycling system and is returned to the process for reuse.

[0058] Tailings thickening: The final tailings flow by gravity to the linear screen. After slag removal by the slag separation operation, large particles of slag, mud, etc. (+3.0mm portion) are removed (they can be directly piled up). The remaining tailings (-3.0mm portion) enter the Φ50m high-efficiency thickener for thickening and are then pumped to the No.1 pump pool tailings system via the underflow slurry pump and transported to the tailings dam through pipeline. The overflow water from the thickener is returned to the process for recycling through the return water system.

[0059] In this embodiment, by setting up a slag separation process to remove large particles of slag and slurry, it is possible to ensure that the tailings are smoothly transported to the tailings system by the slurry pump. The tailings thickening process can control the tailings concentration at 42-43%, which meets the requirements for pipeline transportation and tailings storage dams.

[0060] In this embodiment, the various processes are connected by pipelines. The filtrate after concentrate dewatering and the overflow water after tailings concentration both enter the circulating water system through pipelines, which can minimize the amount of new water added, reduce production costs, and effectively save water resources.

[0061] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spiral gravity separation method for extracting titanium from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: After grinding, two strong magnetic separations, and two flotation separations, the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings that are to be discharged into the tailings dam are used as raw materials for roughing operations. The concentrate after roughing operations is then cleaned, and the tailings after roughing operations are then scavenged. The tailings after the first scavenging operation become the final tailings. The concentrate after the fine selection process is vacuum filtered and dehydrated to become titanium middlings. The tailings after the fine selection process are concentrated and classified. The underflow after concentration and classification is subjected to secondary scavenging. The tailings after secondary scavenging are returned to primary scavenging. The overflow after concentration and classification becomes the final tailings. The coarse separation, fine separation, primary scavenging, and secondary scavenging operations all employ spiral chute spiral gravity separation. The coarse selection operation includes the following steps: Vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings undergo a first-stage roughing process, the first-stage roughing process mixes the concentrate and the second-stage roughing process, and the first-stage roughing tailings undergo a first-stage scavenging process. The concentrate from the second-stage roughing process is further refined, the concentrate from the second-stage roughing process is returned to the second-stage roughing process, and the tailings from the second-stage roughing process are subjected to primary scavenging. The primary scanning operation includes the following steps: The tailings from the first-stage roughing and second-stage roughing processes are subjected to a first-stage scavenging process. The concentrate from the first-stage scavenging process is returned to the second-stage roughing process, the concentrate from the first-stage scavenging process is returned to the first-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the first-stage scavenging process enter the second-stage scavenging process. The concentrate from the second-stage scavenging process is returned to the first-stage scavenging process, the concentrate from the second-stage scavenging process is returned to the second-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the second-stage scavenging process become the final tailings. The selected assignments include the following steps: The roughing concentrate from the second stage is then subjected to a first-stage cleaning process, the cleaning concentrate from the first stage is then subjected to a second-stage cleaning process, the middlings from the first-stage cleaning process are returned to the first-stage cleaning process, and the tailings from the first-stage cleaning process are then concentrated and classified. The concentrate from the second stage of refining is then subjected to a third stage of refining; the middlings from the second stage of refining are returned to the second stage of refining; and the tailings from the second stage of refining are returned to the first stage of refining. The concentrate from the three-stage refining process is vacuum filtered and dehydrated to become titanium middlings. The middlings from the three-stage refining process are returned to the three-stage refining process, and the tailings from the three-stage refining process are returned to the two-stage refining process. The secondary scanning operation includes the following steps: The underflow after concentration and classification is subjected to three-stage scavenging. The concentrate from the three-stage scavenging is returned to the first stage of fine cleaning, the ore from the three-stage scavenging is returned for concentration and classification, and the tailings from the three-stage scavenging are subjected to four-stage scavenging. The concentrate from the four-stage scavenging process is returned for concentration and classification, the concentrate from the four-stage scavenging process is returned to the fourth-stage scavenging process, and the tailings from the four-stage scavenging process are returned to the first-stage scavenging process. The coarse and fine selection operations employ 720mm pitch spiral chute; The primary and secondary sweeping operations employ 640mm pitch spiral chutes.

2. The spiral gravity separation method for titanium extraction from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before roughing, the vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings are diluted and stirred in a mixing tank to reduce the slurry concentration from 40-45% to 30-35%.

3. The spiral gravity separation method for titanium extraction from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The final tailings are treated by a slag separation process to remove large particles of slag and mud. The remaining tailings are then concentrated by a thickener and transported to the tailings dam.

4. The spiral gravity separation method for titanium extraction from vanadium-titanium magnetite tailings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The concentration and grading process uses a slant plate thickener.

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