An aerated agitation type flotation device for ore dressing

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of mineral flotation separation technology, specifically to an aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing. It includes multiple flotation cells arranged side-by-side in a collection tank. A main shaft is installed within each flotation cell, and a stirring assembly for agitating the introduced gas with the mineral solution is installed inside the main shaft. A hollow cylindrical tube, closed at both ends, is rotatably mounted between two inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell. Scrapers are evenly spaced along the circumference of the outer wall of the cylindrical tube. A scraper is hinged to the end of each scraper away from the cylindrical tube. An electric push rod is mounted on the scraper, and the movable end of the electric push rod is connected to the scraper. The electric push rod drives the scraper to rotate around its hinge point with the scraper to change the scraper's entry angle. A first motor is installed on the outer wall of the flotation cell, driving the cylindrical tube to rotate. The extension and retraction of the electric push rod drives the scraper to rotate around its hinge point with the scraper, thereby adjusting the scraper's entry angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mineral flotation and separation technology, and specifically to an aerated stirring flotation device for mineral processing. Background Technology

[0002] Flotation is one of the most important methods in mineral processing. It utilizes the difference in hydrophobicity of mineral particle surfaces to selectively attach valuable minerals to air bubbles, thereby achieving separation from gangue minerals. Aerated mechanical agitation flotation machines are widely used in the industry due to their strong adaptability and good separation effect. Their core working principle involves using an agitation mechanism to suspend the slurry and disperse externally introduced gas, forming a large number of mineralized air bubbles. Finally, a froth product rich in the target minerals is scraped off by a froth scraping mechanism.

[0003] Chinese Patent CN113000225B discloses a high-efficiency stirring flotation machine, including a flotation cell body, an air guide pipe installed in the flotation cell body, a main shaft rotatably installed inside the air guide pipe, the lower end of the main shaft extending below the air guide pipe and equipped with a stirring assembly, an air inlet pipe connected to one side of the air guide pipe, multiple L-shaped tubes arranged in a circumferential array on the main shaft, and an air jet nozzle at the lower end of the L-shaped tube for spraying the bottom wall of the flotation cell body, an anti-clogging device to prevent the air jet nozzle from being blocked in the flotation cell body, and multiple auxiliary stirring devices arranged in a circumferential array around the main shaft in the flotation cell body, with a transmission device connecting the auxiliary stirring devices to the L-shaped tubes to drive the auxiliary stirring devices. The flotation tank is equipped with an L-shaped tube, one end of which is located inside the air inlet pipe. An air jet nozzle is located at the lower end of the L-shaped tube. The air jet nozzle can spray up the residue remaining on the bottom wall of the flotation tank body, preventing excessive accumulation. At the same time, an anti-clogging device is installed to keep the air jet nozzle unobstructed and ensure the normal operation of the equipment. In addition, multiple auxiliary stirring devices are installed in the flotation tank body, which can improve the stirring effect and increase the working efficiency of the flotation machine.

[0004] However, during the froth removal process, the scraper of this mineral flotation machine is at a fixed working angle, while the slurry level and froth layer thickness will fluctuate due to changes in factors such as feed rate, slurry concentration, and aeration rate. The fixed-angle scraper cannot always maintain the optimal froth removal state: if the scraper cuts too deep, it is easy to scrape in a large amount of slurry solution, resulting in a decrease in concentrate grade; if it cuts too shallow, the froth will not be completely removed, leading to the loss of valuable metals.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design an aerated stirring flotation device for mineral processing that can flexibly adjust the depth of scraper penetration according to the slurry level and the thickness of the foam layer, in order to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical solution is as follows: A gas-filled agitated flotation device for mineral processing includes multiple flotation cells arranged side-by-side in a collection tank. A main shaft is installed in each flotation cell, and an air pipe is installed on the main shaft. An agitation component for agitating the introduced gas with the mineral solution is installed inside the main shaft. A hollow cylindrical tube with closed ends is rotatably installed between two inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell. Scrapers are evenly installed on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube along its circumference. A scraper is hinged to the end of the scraper away from the cylindrical tube. An electric push rod is installed on the scraper, and the movable end of the electric push rod is connected to the scraper. The electric push rod is used to drive the scraper to rotate at its hinge point with the scraper to change the cutting angle of the scraper. A first motor is installed on the outer wall of the flotation cell, and the first motor is used to drive the cylindrical tube to rotate.

[0007] Preferably, it also includes a capacitance probe and a controller. The capacitance probe is installed at the end of the scraper away from the scraper frame. The controller is electrically connected to both the capacitance probe and the electric push rod. The capacitance probe is used to identify the foam layer and the liquid layer in the flotation cell.

[0008] Preferably, the stirring assembly includes a stirring shaft rotatably disposed within the main shaft, stirring blades fixedly disposed at the bottom end of the stirring shaft, and a stirring motor installed at the top of the flotation tank, wherein the output shaft of the stirring motor is connected to the stirring shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the cylindrical tube has multiple air inlets communicating with its inner cavity at the end away from the first motor, and an exhaust port is provided at the end of the cylindrical tube facing the scraper. An air inlet disc is installed on one outer wall of the flotation tank, and the air inlet disc is rotatably connected to one end of the cylindrical tube. An air delivery hole corresponding to the air inlet is provided on the side of the air inlet disc facing the cylindrical tube. An air inlet pipe is connected to the air inlet disc. A liquid removal blowpipe communicating with the exhaust port is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube where the exhaust port is located.

[0010] Preferably, a baffle is provided between the inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell, and a scraper is located below the baffle.

[0011] Preferably, the four inner walls of the flotation cell are equipped with rotating shafts that are staggered vertically. Guide plates are installed on the rotating shafts, and guide ports are opened at the bottom of the guide plates. The inner cavity of the guide plates is evenly divided into multiple guide channels by partitions. The foam in the flotation cell enters the inner cavity of the guide plates through the guide ports and is discharged from the end of the guide plates through the guide channels, thereby increasing the contact time between the foam and the mineral solution.

[0012] Preferably, a guide fan is provided at the flow port to form a swirling flow so that the foam enters the inner cavity of the flow guide plate through the flow port.

[0013] Preferably, multiple grid plates are arranged in an alternating pattern within the flow channel. The grid plates are used to cut the foam flowing through the flow channel to increase the contact area between the foam and the mineral solution.

[0014] Preferably, a second motor is installed on the outer wall of the flotation cell, and the output shaft of the second motor is connected to the rotating shaft.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The present invention has the following advantages: 1. The scraper is driven to rotate around the hinge point between the electric push rod and the scraper frame by the telescopic movement of the electric push rod, thereby adjusting the cutting angle of the scraper; when the foam layer is thick, the angle between the scraper and the horizontal plane is increased to enhance the foam scraping ability; when the foam layer becomes thin or the liquid level drops, the cutting angle is reduced to avoid scraping into the slurry. This ensures that the foam is fully scraped off while minimizing the entrainment of the slurry, thereby improving the concentrate grade and metal recovery rate.

[0016] 2. Utilizing the significant difference in dielectric constant between foam and slurry solution, a capacitance probe is used to monitor the dielectric layer where the scraper is located in real time. The monitoring data is converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the controller in real time. The controller controls the extension and retraction of the electric push rod, thereby achieving automatic adjustment of the scraper's cutting angle.

[0017] 3. Compressed air is introduced into the intake disc through the intake pipe. When the cylindrical tube rotates with the scraper to a specific position, the intake port and the air delivery port on the intake disc are connected instantly. Compressed air enters the inner cavity of the cylindrical tube through the intake pipe and is finally sprayed onto the scraper surface from the liquid removal blowpipe. This blows away the foam adhering to the scraper, effectively preventing foam adhesion and accumulation, and ensuring that the scraper maintains a clean working surface for a long time.

[0018] 4. By setting adjustable angle guide plates at staggered positions on the inner wall of the flotation cell, the mineral bubbles enter the inner cavity of the guide plate through the guide port during their ascent, and flow tortuously along the narrow guide channel before being discharged. This increases the residence time of the foam in the slurry, thereby prolonging the effective collision and adhesion time between the mineral particles and the bubbles.

[0019] 5. The flow foam in the guide channel is cut and broken by the grid plate, which disperses large bubbles into small bubbles, increases the surface area of ​​the bubbles in contact with the solution, and promotes the desorption and removal of gangue minerals. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A partial three-dimensional structural diagram; Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cylindrical tube, scraper, scraper, capacitive probe, and electric push rod of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cylindrical tube, air inlet disc, liquid removal blowpipe, and other components of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the air intake disc, air delivery hole, and air intake pipe of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal three-dimensional structure of the flotation cell of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional sectional view of the drainage guide plate of the present invention.

[0021] Wherein: 1-Collection tank, 2-Flotation tank, 3-Stirring motor, 4-Main shaft, 41-Hollow disc, 51-Stirring shaft, 52-Stirring blade, 6-Ventilation pipe, 7-Cylindrical pipe, 71-Air inlet, 72-Exhaust outlet, 8-Scraper frame, 9-Scraper, 10-Capacitive probe, 11-Electric push rod, 12-First motor, 13-Air inlet disc, 131-Air outlet, 14-Air inlet pipe, 15-Liquid removal blowpipe, 16-Baffle, 17-Second motor, 171-Rotating shaft, 18-Guide plate, 181-Guide port, 182-Guide channel, 19-Guide fan, 20-Grid plate. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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.

[0023] This invention provides an aerated stirring flotation device for mineral processing, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown: The flotation device mainly includes a collection tank 1 and multiple flotation cells 2 arranged side by side in the collection tank 1. The top of the flotation cells 2 has a forward-sloping and downward-sloping structure, which facilitates the collection and scraping of foam.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 7As shown: A top cover is provided at the top plane of each flotation cell 2. A main shaft 4 is vertically installed at the center of the top cover, extending downward into the flotation cell 2. The main shaft 4 is a hollow "trumpet" shaped structure. A disc is provided at the bottom of the main shaft 4, and the disc is fixedly connected to the bottom edge of the main shaft 4. A vent pipe 6 for introducing gas is connected to the upper part of the main shaft 4. An agitator motor 3 is also installed on the top cover. The output shaft of the agitator motor 3 is connected to an agitator shaft 51, which is located inside the main shaft 4. The structure of the agitator shaft 51 is adapted to the internal structure of the main shaft 4. Agitator blades 52 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the bottom end of the agitator shaft 51, and the agitator blades 52 are located directly below the hollow disc 41. When the agitator motor 3 is powered on, it drives the agitator shaft 51 and agitator blades 52 to rotate, thereby strongly agitating the slurry in the flotation cell. At the same time, gas is continuously introduced through the vent pipe 6, and the introduced gas is dispersed into tiny bubbles under the agitation.

[0025] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown: A hollow cylindrical tube 7, closed at both ends, is rotatably mounted between two inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell 2. A first motor 12 is installed on the outer right wall of the flotation cell 2. A belt drive assembly is provided between the output shaft of the first motor 12 and the cylindrical tube 7. The belt drive assembly includes a pulley mounted on the output shaft of the first motor 12, a pulley at the end of the cylindrical tube 7, and a flat belt between the two pulleys. The first motor 12 drives the cylindrical tube 7 to rotate through the belt drive assembly. Two scraper frames 8 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the outer wall of the cylindrical tube 7. The scraper frames 8 rotate with the cylindrical tube 7. A scraper 9 is hinged to the end of the scraper frame 8 away from the cylindrical tube 7 through a hinge shaft. The scraper 9 is used to scrape off the foam floating on the solution surface. A capacitance probe 10 is installed at the end of the scraper 9 away from the scraper frame 8. The capacitance probe 10 is electrically connected to the controller provided on this device. The capacitance probe 10 converts the detected data into an electrical signal and transmits it to the controller. Due to the different dielectric constants of the foam and the slurry solution, the capacitance value detected by the capacitance probe 10 changes. The capacitance value generated when the capacitance probe 10 contacts different media determines whether the scraper 9 is currently in the foam layer or the slurry layer. An electric push rod 11 is installed on the scraper frame 8. The movable end of the electric push rod 11 is connected to the scraper 9. Based on the feedback signal from the capacitance probe 10, the controller controls the extension and retraction of the electric push rod 11, thereby driving the scraper 9 to rotate at its hinge point with the scraper frame 8, changing the angle between the scraper 9 and the horizontal plane or the foam layer. When the foam layer is thick, the cutting angle of the scraper 9 can be increased; when the foam layer is thin or the liquid level is low, the cutting angle can be decreased, ensuring that the scraper 9 can just scrape off the foam without scooping in too much slurry solution. The foam scraped off by the scraper 9 falls into the collection tank 1 below the flotation tank 2, where it is collected and processed.

[0026] To prevent foam from adhering to the scraper 9, this device is also equipped with a self-cleaning structure. Specifically, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown: Two air inlets 71 communicating with the inner cavity are provided at the left end of the cylindrical tube 7. Two rows of exhaust holes 72 are evenly spaced along the axial direction of the cylindrical tube 7 at the position directly opposite the scraper 8. An air inlet disc 13 is fixedly installed on the left outer wall of the flotation tank 2 by fixing bolts. The right side of the air inlet disc 13 is rotatably connected to the left end of the cylindrical tube 7 by a bearing connection. A fan-shaped air outlet 131 is provided on the side of the air inlet disc 13 facing the cylindrical tube 7, which is adapted to the movement trajectory of the air inlets 71, so that the air inlets 71 on the cylindrical tube 7 can be intermittently connected to the air outlet 131 during the rotation of the cylindrical tube 7. An air inlet pipe 14 is connected to the air inlet disc 13 for receiving compressed air. A descaling blowpipe 15 communicating with the exhaust holes 72 is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube 7 where the exhaust holes 72 are provided. The outlet of the descaling blowpipe 15 faces the scraper 9. When the cylindrical tube 7 rotates and the air inlet 71 rotates to the position aligned with the air outlet 131, compressed air enters the inner cavity of the cylindrical tube 7 through the air inlet pipe 14, the air outlet 131 of the air inlet disc 13, and the air inlet 71 in sequence. Then, it is delivered to the liquid removal blowpipe 15 through the exhaust hole 72 and sprayed out through the liquid removal blowpipe 15 and blown towards the scraper 9, thereby blowing off the foam attached to the scraper 9.

[0027] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown: A baffle 16 is installed between the inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell 2, and a scraper 9 is located below the baffle 16. The baffle 16 can prevent the scraper 9 from throwing the foam out of the flotation cell 2 when it rotates to the top, thus playing a guiding and protective role; at the same time, the foam blown down by the dewatering blowpipe 15 falls back into the flotation cell 2 under the blocking and guiding effect of the baffle 16.

[0028] To increase the contact time between the foam and the mineral solution and improve the flotation effect, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown: Rotating shafts 171 are offset and rotatably mounted on the four inner walls of the flotation cell 2. Guide plates 18 are installed at the bottom of the rotating shafts 171. A guide port 181 is opened at the bottom of the guide plate 18, and the inner cavity of the guide plate 18 is evenly divided into multiple guide channels 182 by partitions. The guide channels 182 are connected to the guide ports 181. Second motors 17 are installed on the four outer walls of the flotation cell 2. The output shaft of the second motor 17 is connected to the corresponding rotating shaft 171 to drive the rotating shaft 171 to rotate, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the guide plates 18. During the rising process of the mineral bubbles, some of the foam enters the inner cavity of the guide plate 18 through the guide ports 181, then flows along the narrow guide channels 182, and finally exits from the end of the guide plate 18. This flow path increases the travel distance and time of the foam in the slurry, reducing the loss of mineral particles due to excessive rising speed. To further increase the contact area, multiple grid plates 20 are arranged in an alternating pattern within the flow channel 182. When foam flows through the grid plates 20, large bubbles are cut into smaller bubbles, and the foam collides with the grid plates 20, giving the mineral particles within the foam layer more opportunities to contact the slurry, thus achieving secondary enrichment. To guide the foam smoothly into the guide plate 18, a guide fan 19 is provided at the flow port 181. When the guide fan 19 is working, its rotating blades drive the liquid flow, thereby creating a vortex at the flow port 181, which guides the foam into the flow port 181.

[0029] The above description is merely a specific 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 gas-filled agitated flotation device for mineral processing, comprising multiple flotation cells (2) arranged side-by-side in a collection tank (1), a main shaft (4) being provided in each flotation cell (2), an air pipe (6) being provided on the main shaft (4), an agitation assembly for agitating the gas and mineral solution being provided in the main shaft (4), and a cylindrical tube (7) with closed ends and hollow interior being rotatably arranged between two inclined surfaces at the top of the flotation cell (2), with scrapers (8) evenly spaced along the circumference of the outer wall of the cylindrical tube (7), characterized in that, A scraper (9) is hinged to one end of the scraper frame (8) away from the cylindrical tube (7). An electric push rod (11) is installed on the scraper frame (8). The movable end of the electric push rod (11) is connected to the scraper (9). The electric push rod (11) is used to drive the scraper (9) to rotate at its hinge point with the scraper frame (8) to change the cutting angle of the scraper (9). A first motor (12) is installed on the outer wall of the flotation tank (2). The first motor (12) is used to drive the cylindrical tube (7) to rotate.

2. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a capacitor probe (10) and a controller. The capacitor probe (10) is installed at the end of the scraper (9) away from the scraper (8). The controller is electrically connected to the capacitor probe (10) and the electric push rod (11). The capacitor probe (10) is used to identify the foam layer and the liquid layer in the flotation cell (2).

3. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stirring assembly includes a stirring shaft (51) rotatably disposed in the main shaft (4), a stirring plate (52) fixedly disposed at the bottom end of the stirring shaft (51), and a stirring motor (3) installed on the top of the flotation tank (2). The output shaft of the stirring motor (3) is connected to the stirring shaft (51).

4. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylindrical tube (7) has multiple air inlets (71) connected to its inner cavity at the end away from the first motor (12). The cylindrical tube (7) has an exhaust hole (72) at the position opposite to the scraper (8). An air inlet disc (13) is installed on one outer wall of the flotation tank (2). The air inlet disc (13) is rotatably connected to one end of the cylindrical tube (7). The air inlet disc (13) has an air delivery hole (131) adapted to the air inlet hole (71) on the side facing the cylindrical tube (7). An air inlet pipe (14) is connected to the air inlet disc (13). A liquid removal blowpipe (15) connected to the exhaust hole (72) is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube (7).

5. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, A baffle (16) is provided between the top slopes of the flotation cell (2), and a scraper (9) is located below the baffle (16).

6. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four inner walls of the flotation cell (2) are provided with rotating shafts (171) that are staggered on the top and bottom. A flow guide plate (18) is installed on the rotating shaft (171). A flow guide port (181) is opened at the bottom of the flow guide plate (18). The inner cavity of the flow guide plate (18) is evenly divided into multiple flow channels (182) by partitions.

7. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 6, characterized in that, A guide fan (19) is provided at the flow port (181) to form a vortex so that the foam enters the inner cavity of the flow guide plate (18) through the flow port (181).

8. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple grid plates (20) are arranged in an alternating manner within the flow channel (182), and the grid plates (20) are used to cut the foam flowing through the flow channel (182).

9. The aerated and stirred flotation device for mineral processing according to claim 6, characterized in that, A second motor (17) is installed on the outer wall of the flotation cell (2), and the output shaft of the second motor (17) is connected to the rotating shaft (171).

Images