Thickener underflow pipe dredging water injection device and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a thickener underflow pipe dredging water injection device and a using method thereof, belongs to the technical field of conveying, and solves the problems that an existing thickener underflow pipe is prone to being blocked, the manual dredging workload is large, and the dredging efficiency is low. The ends of the multiple underflow vertical pipes are connected with underflow annular pipes, the lower portions of the underflow annular pipes are connected with underflow leveling pipes, underflow leveling pipe pressurized water valves are arranged between the adjacent underflow leveling pipes, the two ends of each underflow leveling pipe are provided with an annular pipe opening valve and a conveying pump inlet valve respectively, and the tail end of each underflow leveling pipe is connected with a conveying pump. A conveying pump ore drawing valve is arranged on the conveying pump inlet pipeline; the bottom flow vertical pipe, the bottom flow annular pipe and the bottom flow leveling pipe are each provided with a water source water pipe connected with a pressure pump, and each water source water pipe is provided with a water escape valve. The underflow pipeline dredging device is simple in structure and convenient to operate, and realizes conversion from manual dredging of the underflow pipeline of the thickener to pressurized flushing and dredging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of slurry conveying technology in mineral processing, coal, water treatment, metallurgy, chemical industry, environmental protection, etc., and specifically relates to a thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Thickeners are widely used in primary dewatering operations in mineral processing due to their large throughput and excellent concentration effect. They are solid-liquid separation devices based on gravity settling, typically constructed as shallow cylindrical tanks with conical bottoms using concrete, wood, or welded metal plates as structural materials. Low-concentration slurries are concentrated into high-concentration underflow slurries through gravity settling. With the help of a slowly rotating rake frame installed inside the thickener, the higher-concentration underflow slurry is discharged from the underflow outlet at the bottom of the thickener. A clearer, clarified liquid (overflow) is generated at the top of the thickener and discharged through an annular chute. During the production process, thickeners often experience blockages in the underflow pipes due to high underflow concentration and debris accumulation. The slurry accumulates in the pipes, and currently, the only way to clean them is to stop the thickener, stop feeding, and then manually disassemble the pipe inspection port and use tools such as bamboo poles and crowbars to clear the blockage. This process is labor-intensive, inefficient, and affects production efficiency. Furthermore, the process carries high safety risks, including the risk of high-pressure slurry leakage causing injury and environmental pollution. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thickener underflow pipe unblocking and water injection device and its usage method, in order to solve the problems of easy pipe blockage during the discharge and transportation of slurry in existing thickener underflow pipes, large amount of manual unblocking work, high labor intensity, low unblocking efficiency, and high safety risks.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is: a thickener underflow pipe unblocking and water injection device, comprising a thickener pool, a plurality of underflow vertical pipes arranged along its annular bottom, underflow vertical pipe valves provided on the underflow vertical pipes, underflow annular pipes connected to the ends of the plurality of underflow vertical pipes, underflow horizontal pipes connected to the lower part of the underflow annular pipes, underflow horizontal pipe pressurization valves provided between adjacent underflow horizontal pipes, annular pipe inlet valves and conveying pump inlet valves respectively provided at both ends of the underflow horizontal pipes, a conveying pump connected to the end of the underflow horizontal pipes, and a conveying pump discharge valve provided on the inlet pipe of the conveying pump; water source pipes connected to the pressurization pump are respectively provided on the underflow vertical pipes, underflow annular pipes, and underflow horizontal pipes, and drain valves are provided on the water source pipes.

[0005] As a further improvement of the present invention, a pressure valve for the underflow riser is provided at the connection between the underflow riser and the water source pipe.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the bottom flow vertical pipe valve, the bottom flow horizontal pipe pressurized water valve, the annular pipe valve, the conveying pump inlet valve, the conveying pump ore discharge valve, and the drain valve are all standard gate valves.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the underflow vertical pipe valve, the underflow horizontal pipe pressurized water valve, the annular pipe valve, the conveying pump inlet valve, the conveying pump ore discharge valve, and the drain valve are all controlled by both manual and electric means.

[0008] A method for using a thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device includes the following steps: Step 1: Before starting the thickener, fill the thickening tank with water by closing all bottom flow riser valves, turning on the booster pump, and opening all bottom flow riser pressurization water valves to quickly fill the thickening tank with water. Step 2: During normal operation of the thickener, the bottom flow vertical pipe valve is open, the annular pipe valve and the inlet valve of the conveying pump are open, the ore discharge valve of the conveying pump is closed, and the water source pipe connected to the booster pump and the valve on the water source pipe are all closed. Step 3: During the operation, the slurry in the thickening tank may fall into the subsequent pipes and block the pipes due to excessive concentration, slurry clumping, or accumulation of debris. The following three different situations need to be addressed to clear the blockage. a) If a certain underflow riser is blocked, turn on the booster pump, close the corresponding underflow riser valve, open the corresponding underflow riser pressurization valve, and keep all other valves closed. Water from the water source pipe will reach the underflow riser through the booster pump. b. If the underflow annular pipe is blocked, close all the underflow vertical pipe valves, open the annular pipe valve, the inlet valve of the conveying pump, and the ore discharge valve of the conveying pump on one of the underflow horizontal pipes, start the booster pump, and open the annular pipe pressurization water valve. c. If a certain underflow pipe is blocked, close the annular pipe valve on the corresponding underflow pipe, open the inlet valve of the conveying pump and the ore discharge valve of the conveying pump on the corresponding underflow pipe, start the booster pump, and open the pressurized water valve of the underflow pipe.

[0009] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. This solves the problems of high labor intensity, low efficiency, and high safety risks associated with manual unblocking of the thickener underflow pipe in existing technologies.

[0010] 2. Achieving efficient dredging of the underflow pipe of a thickener, and providing a device and method for dredging the underflow pipe of a thickener.

[0011] 3. It enables rapid and efficient water injection into the thickening tank, providing a water injection device and method for thickeners.

[0012] 4. It is easy to operate, the process is safe and simple, and it eliminates potential safety hazards during operation.

[0013] This invention has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It realizes the transformation from manual dredging of thickener underflow pipes to pressurized flushing and dredging, solving the problems of high labor intensity, low efficiency and high safety risks in manual dredging operations. It achieves efficient pipe dredging, improves production efficiency and eliminates safety hazards in the operation process. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the bottom of the thickening tank in the device of the present invention.

[0015] In the diagram: 1-Thickening tank; 2-Underflow riser; 3-Underflow riser valve; 4-Underflow annular pipe; 5-Underflow horizontal pipe; 6-Annular pipe inlet valve; 7-Transfer pump inlet valve; 8-Transfer pump ore discharge valve; 9-Transfer pump; 10-Water source pipe; 11-Booster pump; 12-Underflow horizontal pipe booster water valve; 13-Annular pipe booster water valve; 14-Underflow riser booster water valve; 15-Drain valve. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0017] Example 1 like Figures 1-2 As shown, a thickener underflow pipe unblocking and water injection device includes a thickening tank 1. Multiple underflow vertical pipes 2 are arranged along the annular bottom of the thickening tank 1. Underflow vertical pipe valves 3 are installed on the underflow vertical pipes 2. Underflow annular pipes 4 are connected to the ends of the multiple underflow vertical pipes 2. Underflow horizontal pipes 5 are connected to the lower part of the annular pipes 4. Underflow horizontal pipe pressurization valves 12 are installed between adjacent underflow horizontal pipes 5. Annular pipe inlet valves 6 and a conveying pump inlet valve 7 are respectively installed at both ends of the underflow horizontal pipes 5. A conveying pump 9 is connected to the end of the underflow horizontal pipes 5. A conveying pump discharge valve 8 is installed on the inlet pipe of the conveying pump 9. Water source pipes 10 connected to the pressurization pump 11 are respectively installed on the underflow vertical pipes 2, the underflow annular pipes 4, and the underflow horizontal pipes 5. A drain valve 15 is installed on the water source pipes 10.

[0018] During normal operation of the thickener, the slurry concentrated in the thickening tank 1 enters the bottom flow annular pipe 4 through the bottom flow vertical pipe 2, then enters the bottom flow horizontal pipe 5, and finally is pumped to the next stage of operation through the conveying pump 9. During this process, the bottom flow vertical pipe valve 3 is in the open state, the conveying pump 9 is in the open state for the annular pipe valve 6 and the conveying pump inlet valve 7, and the conveying pump discharge valve 8 is in the closed state. This is a normal working state of the thickener. During this normal production process, the water pipe connected to the booster pump 11 and the valves on the water pipe are all in the closed state.

[0019] During the operation of the thickener, the slurry in the thickening tank 1 may slip into the subsequent pipes due to excessive concentration, slurry clumping, or accumulation of debris, causing blockages and requiring a large amount of unblocking work. In this process, the present invention will play an important role in providing targeted solutions for different situations, which will be described in detail below.

[0020] In the first scenario, if a certain underflow riser 2 is blocked, in order to clear the underflow riser 2, the booster pump 11 is turned on, the corresponding underflow riser valve 3 is closed, the corresponding underflow riser pressurization water valve 14 is opened, and all other valves are closed. Water from the water source pipe 10 is pumped through the booster pump 11 into the underflow riser 2. Under the action of higher pressure, the blockage in the blocked underflow riser 2 is forced into the thickening tank 1, and the underflow riser 2 is cleared.

[0021] In the second scenario, the underflow annular pipe 4 is blocked. To clear the underflow annular pipe 4, close all the underflow vertical pipe valves 3, open the annular pipe inlet valve 6, the inlet valve 7 of the conveying pump, and the ore discharge valve 8 of the conveying pump on one of the underflow horizontal pipes 5, start the booster pump 11, and open the annular pipe pressurization water valve 13. Under the impact of the high-pressure water flow, the blockage in the blocked underflow annular pipe 4 is discharged through the ore discharge valve 8 of the conveying pump, and the underflow annular pipe 4 is cleared.

[0022] In the third scenario, if a certain underflow pipe 5 is blocked, in order to clear the underflow pipe 5, close the annular pipe valve 6 on the corresponding underflow pipe 5, open the inlet valve 7 and the discharge valve 8 of the delivery pump on the corresponding underflow pipe 5, start the booster pump 11, and open the pressurized water valve 12 of the underflow pipe. Under the impact of the high-pressure water flow, the blockage in the blocked underflow pipe 5 is discharged through the discharge valve 8 of the delivery pump, and the underflow pipe 5 is cleared.

[0023] Meanwhile, before the thickener is started, water needs to be injected into the thickening tank 1. This invention can achieve rapid water injection into the thickening tank 1 by closing all the bottom flow riser valves 3, turning on the booster pump 11, and opening all the bottom flow riser pressurization water valves 14.

[0024] The valve used in this embodiment is a standard gate valve, which has the advantage of being able to isolate and empty the slurry pipeline through the valve, facilitating temporary maintenance and handling of various faults in the thickener underflow without having to empty the thickener pool, making it highly efficient and convenient.

[0025] A pressurized water pipe and a pressurized water valve 14 are installed on the underflow riser 2 of the thickener. The water pipe branches to connect to different positions of the underflow pipe of the thickener. The advantage is that it can use strong water pressure to quickly and safely dredge and clean the underflow pipe of the thickener that is blocked in different positions without stopping.

[0026] The water pipe corresponding to the booster pump 11 is connected to the bottom flow riser 2 of the thickener. Its advantage is that it can quickly and conveniently inject water into the thickening tank 1 through the booster pump 11. Unlike the conventional water injection at the top and center of the thickener, it is convenient and fast, and has two uses in one pipe, without the need to lay additional pipes.

[0027] The water source pipe 10 corresponding to the booster pump 11 is equipped with a drain valve 15 at the end. The advantage is that it can discharge the impurities that have accumulated in the water pipe over a long period of time, preventing the water pipe from being blocked by the accumulation of impurities. At the same time, the drain valve 15 can be used to clean the area around the bottom of the thickener, ensuring clean production in the surrounding area.

[0028] In this embodiment, all valves of the device are controlled by both manual and electric means. Its advantage is that it can be opened and closed remotely, accurately and quickly, which greatly reduces the labor intensity of operators, while retaining the function of manual operation in extreme situations.

Claims

1. A thickener underflow pipe unblocking and water injection device, comprising a thickening tank, characterized in that: The thickening tank (1) is provided with multiple underflow vertical pipes (2) along its annular bottom. Underflow vertical pipe valves (3) are provided on the underflow vertical pipes (2). The ends of the multiple underflow vertical pipes (2) are connected to underflow annular pipes (4). The lower part of the underflow annular pipe (4) is connected to an underflow horizontal pipe (5). Underflow horizontal pipe pressurization valves (12) are provided between adjacent underflow horizontal pipes (5). Annular pipe inlet valves (6) and conveying pump inlet valves (7) are provided at both ends of the underflow horizontal pipes (5). A conveying pump (9) is connected to the end of the underflow horizontal pipe (5). A conveying pump discharge valve (8) is provided on the inlet pipe of the conveying pump (9). Water source pipes (10) connecting to the pressurization pump (11) are provided on the underflow vertical pipes (2), underflow annular pipes (4), and underflow horizontal pipes (5). A drain valve (15) is provided on the water source pipes (10).

2. The thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection between the underflow riser (2) and the water source pipe (10) is provided with an underflow riser pressurization valve (14).

3. The thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The underflow vertical pipe valve (3), the underflow horizontal pipe pressurized water valve (12), the annular pipe valve (13), the conveying pump inlet valve (7), the conveying pump ore discharge valve (8), and the drain valve (15) are all standard gate valves.

4. The thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The underflow vertical pipe valve (3), the underflow horizontal pipe pressurized water valve (12), the annular pipe valve (13), the conveying pump inlet valve (7), the conveying pump ore discharge valve (8), and the drain valve (15) are all manual and electric dual-use controls.

5. The method of using the thickener bottom flow pipe unblocking and water injection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Before starting the thickener, water is injected into the thickening tank (1). This is achieved by closing all bottom flow riser valves (3), starting the booster pump (11), and opening all bottom flow riser pressurization water valves (14). Step 2: During normal operation of the thickener, the bottom flow vertical pipe valve (3) is in the open state, the conveying pump (9) is in the open state for the pipe ring valve (6) and the conveying pump inlet valve (7), the conveying pump discharge valve (8) is in the closed state, and the water source pipe (10) connected to the booster pump (11) and the valve on the water source pipe (10) are all in the closed state; Step 3: During the operation, the slurry in the thickening tank (1) may fall into the subsequent pipes and block the pipes due to excessive concentration, slurry clumping, and accumulation of debris. The following three different situations need to be addressed to clear the blockage. a. If a certain bottom flow riser (2) is blocked, turn on the booster pump (11), close the corresponding bottom flow riser valve (3), open the corresponding bottom flow riser pressurization water valve (14), and keep the other valves closed. Water in the water source pipe (10) reaches the bottom flow riser (2) through the booster pump (11); b. If the underflow annular pipe (4) is blocked, close all the underflow vertical pipe valves (3), open the annular pipe valve (6), the inlet valve of the conveying pump (7), and the ore discharge valve of the conveying pump (8) on one of the underflow horizontal pipes (5), start the booster pump (11), and open the annular pipe pressurized water valve (13). c. If a certain underflow pipe (5) is blocked, close the annular pipe valve (6) on the corresponding underflow pipe (5), open the inlet valve (7) of the conveying pump and the ore discharge valve (8) of the conveying pump on the corresponding underflow pipe (5), start the pressurizing pump (11), and open the pressurizing water valve (12) of the underflow pipe.

Images