Treatment plant for obtaining expanded mineral stones

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing apparatus (1) for processing expandable ore, the processing apparatus (1) comprising a furnace (2) including a furnace body (14) configured for expanding the expandable ore, a burner (10) and a guide member (22) for guiding the flame generated by the burner (10), the processing apparatus (1) including at least one means (34) for introducing the expandable ore into the furnace body (14), the guide member (22) being disposed between the furnace body (14) and the burner (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of expanded ore production, and more particularly to an apparatus for obtaining such expanded ore. Background Technology

[0002] For example, perlite is a volcanic rock ore used in expanded form with low volumetric mass, particularly in plaster and coatings. In these plasters and coatings, expanded perlite allows for both lightweight final products and increased workability and processability.

[0003] To be expanded, the ore is introduced into a furnace designed for this purpose in the form of a fine powder and heated to over 850°C. The expansion is quasi-instantaneous, transforming the fine powder ore into a material with low bulk mass, high thermal insulation efficiency, and lightweight properties.

[0004] In existing furnaces, the quality of expansion is not always satisfactory, particularly regarding the uniformity of the expanded ore particle size. In fact, if the ore is exposed to a non-uniform flow of air at varying temperatures and velocities during introduction into the furnace, not all particles of the same size will expand in the same manner, and their post-expansion size will be variable. Similarly, if the ore introduced into the furnace has a large particle size distribution, expansion differences will exist within the same furnace; thus, small-sized particles will be over-expanded, while large-sized particles will be under-expanded. However, due to their open porosity, over-expanded ore particles will absorb several times their weight in water and will make plaster or coatings difficult to process, while conversely, under-expanded particles do not allow for the full lightweighting of so-called lightweight plaster and coatings incorporating expanded ore. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention falls within this context by providing an apparatus configured to uniformly expand ore particles in order to obtain expanded ore that meets requirements in terms of both lightweight and processability.

[0006] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is a processing apparatus for processing expanded ore, the processing apparatus comprising: a furnace including a furnace body configured for expanding the expandable ore; a burner; and a guiding member for guiding the flame generated by the burner, the processing apparatus including at least one introducing device for introducing the expandable ore into the furnace body, the guiding member being disposed between the furnace body and the burner.

[0007] The processing apparatus for processing expandable ore according to the invention is configured to cause uniform expansion of the expandable ore within a furnace body. "Expansion" should be understood as the rapid evaporation of water contained in the material, resulting in an increase in its volume. For example, the expandable ore is perlite. Alternatively, the expandable ore is vermiculite or clay. The processing apparatus for processing expandable ore includes a furnace that extends primarily along a vertical direction perpendicular to the floor on which the processing apparatus rests. For conveying the expandable ore to the furnace, the processing apparatus has at least one introducing device for introducing the expandable ore into the furnace body.

[0008] The furnace, starting from the floor, comprises, in sequence, a burner, a guide member, and a furnace body within which expansion occurs. The burner is configured to generate a gas flow, such as a flame, that heats the expandable ore to cause it to expand. The guide member allows the burner to be positioned within the processing unit at a distance from the furnace body. For this purpose, it is positioned between these two elements. This distance between the burner and the furnace body allows for the homogenization of the gas flow, which allows for more uniform expansion of the expandable ore because each particle within the furnace body is exposed to a gas flow having approximately the same radial temperature and the same radial velocity.

[0009] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide member is a tube with a length greater than its width.

[0010] The guide member is a hollow tube configured to guide airflow from the burner. The tube is elongated and straight, i.e., without any bends that would interfere with airflow. The guide member has a main elongation direction substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The length of the guide member is measured in a plane extending from its main elongation axis. The width of the guide member corresponds to its maximum dimension measured in a plane perpendicular to its main elongation axis. In the case of a guide member with a circular cross-section, its main elongation axis corresponds to its axis of rotation, and its width corresponds to the diameter of the guide member.

[0011] According to an optional feature of the invention, the length of the guide member is at least twice the width of the furnace body.

[0012] The length of the guide member determines the distance between the burner and the furnace body. It allows for the determination of airflow uniformity by extending the burner away from the furnace body, and improves this uniformity by moving the burner away from the furnace body. This length is measured substantially perpendicular to the floor on which the processing equipment rests (i.e., in the vertical direction), while the width of the furnace body is measured in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. For example, the length of the guide member is greater than twice the width of the furnace body, preferably equal to 5-6 times that width; that is, for a furnace with a circular cross-section, greater than twice the furnace body diameter (preferably 5-6 times).

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the cross-section of the furnace body is substantially equivalent to the cross-section of the guide member.

[0014] It should be understood that the cross-section of the furnace body and the cross-section of the guide member are identical within manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the burner is positioned at a distance from the furnace body, which corresponds to at least one times the width of the guide member.

[0015] According to an optional feature of the invention, the furnace body and guiding members are surrounded by heat-insulating protective elements.

[0016] For example, thermal insulation components are made of ceramic wool. These components form a physical barrier that limits heat loss, thereby ensuring better uniformity of airflow and preventing the furnace body and guide components from coming into contact with the surrounding air, which would cause a drop in temperature inside the furnace body and guide components, especially on their walls. Using thermal insulation components also allows operators of the heat treatment equipment to be protected from the high temperatures emanating from the furnace.

[0017] According to an optional feature of the invention, the introducing device for introducing expandable ore includes at least a first introducing member for introducing expandable ore and a second introducing member for introducing expandable ore.

[0018] The presence of multiple individual inlet members for introducing expandable ore allows the ore to be introduced into the furnace body at different heights. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each inlet member is specifically designed for a particular particle size distribution of the expandable ore; for example, a first inlet member may be configured to introduce particles with sizes within a first value range, while a second inlet member may be configured to introduce particles with sizes within a second value range. The particle size may vary depending on the application.

[0019] According to an optional feature of the invention, a first introducing member for introducing expandable ore and a second introducing member for introducing expandable ore are introduced into the furnace body at different distances from the burner, these distances being measured according to the main extension direction of the furnace body.

[0020] For example, the first inlet member for introducing expandable ore is positioned further from the burner than the second inlet member for introducing expandable ore; this distance is measured vertically. This height difference between the first and second inlet members allows for different expansion of particles flowing through the first and second inlet members for a uniform and constant airflow. Therefore, once expanded, the apparent volumetric mass of the particles introduced via the first inlet member is higher than that introduced via the second inlet member. The inlet height can be selected based on the desired apparent density without significantly altering the burner setup.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the distance between the first introducing member for introducing the expandable ore and the second introducing member for introducing the expandable ore is in the range of one to four meters.

[0022] This distance is measured based on a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the floor on which the processing equipment rests.

[0023] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the first inlet member for introducing expandable ore and the second inlet member for introducing expandable ore includes a plurality of conduits arranged radially around the furnace body.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the introduction member for introducing expandable ore includes a single pipe or multiple pipes leading to the furnace body. In the case of multiple pipes, these pipes are radially distributed around the diameter of the furnace body. In the case of two pipes, these pipes are arranged at 180° relative to each other, while in the case of four pipes, these pipes are arranged at 90° relative to each other.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the processing apparatus includes at least one tilting member connected to an introduction device for introducing expandable ore.

[0026] The tilting member is configured to convey the expandable ore upwards to the inlet device for introducing the expandable ore, and, where appropriate, upwards to each inlet member for introducing the expandable ore. In turn, the inlet device for introducing the expandable ore conveys the expandable ore particles upwards into the furnace body, where they fall due to gravity within the furnace body.

[0027] According to an optional feature of the invention, the tilting member is located at a first end of the processing device, and the burner is located at a second end of the processing device opposite to the first end.

[0028] The first and second ends of the processing plant are vertically opposite each other. The first end corresponds to the top of the processing equipment, while the second end contacts the floor. Since the tilting member is arranged opposite the burner, the distance the expandable ore particles are introduced relative to the burner can be controlled by the length of the inlet device used to introduce the expandable ore. Therefore, the shorter the inlet member used to introduce the expandable ore, the closer it is to the tilting member, and consequently, the farther it is from the burner. Conversely, if the expandable ore is introduced into the furnace body closer to the second end and thus closer to the burner, it will be difficult to achieve uniform expansion of the expandable ore. In practice, it is necessary to adjust the furnace settings, but excessively reduced power and / or temperature will result in insufficient pneumatic operation of the furnace.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the processing apparatus includes a suction member for suctioning expanded ore.

[0030] Specifically, the suction component is in the form of a fan. Its configuration generates an upward airflow within the furnace body. Therefore, the furnace body is under vacuum, and the expandable ore, once expanded, is drawn out of the furnace body by the upward airflow. For example, the ore is suctioned at a speed ranging from 5 to 20 meters per second.

[0031] According to an optional feature of the invention, the treatment equipment includes a spraying device.

[0032] For example, the spraying device is installed on a pipe that allows the ore to be discharged from the furnace once it expands. The spraying device is designed to spray a coating (such as a waterproof coating) onto the expanded ore particles.

[0033] The present invention also relates to an expansion method for expanding expandable ore in a processing apparatus as described above, wherein during the expansion method, the expandable ore is introduced into a furnace body via an introduction device for introducing the expandable ore, and a burner generates a flame configured to reheat an airflow passing through a guide member in order to heat the expandable ore in the furnace body.

[0034] In this expansion method, the burner forms a flame designed to reheat the gas flow. This flame does not directly contact the expandable ore; it extends, for example, to the middle height of the guide member, which is measured perpendicular to the floor. Typically, the flame does not reach the junction between the guide member and the furnace body. The gas flow, reheated by the flame, passes through the guide member until it reaches the furnace body. The expandable ore is fed into the furnace body via an inlet device for introducing the expandable ore and expands within the furnace body upon encountering the gas flow. The expansion method for expanding expandable ore according to the invention allows control over the uniformity of the expanded ore particles, and the distance between the burner and the furnace body due to the presence of the guide member allows for radial homogenization of the gas flow in terms of temperature and velocity. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Other features, details, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer upon reading the following description and referring to the exemplary, non-limiting embodiments given in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic front view of a portion of a processing apparatus for processing expandable ore according to the present invention is shown, which includes a furnace, an inlet device for introducing expandable ore, and a tilting member.

[0037] Figure 2 schematically shown Figure 1 The diagram shows a outline of a processing apparatus for processing expandable ore, which also includes an extraction pipe connected to a furnace for extracting the expandable ore. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Features, variations, and different embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, variations of the invention may be contemplated that include only selections of features described separately below from other described features, if such selections are sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or distinguish the invention from the prior art.

[0039] In the accompanying drawings, elements common to multiple drawings remain the same.

[0040] therefore, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A processing apparatus 1 for processing expandable ore according to the present invention is schematically shown. This processing apparatus 1 is configured to transform the expandable ore into a slurry or coating in order to produce products made from these slurries or coatings that are easier to process and lighter. For this purpose, the processing apparatus 1 is more specifically configured to perform the expansion of the expandable ore.

[0041] The processing equipment 1 for processing expandable ore includes a furnace 2, which corresponds to the portion of the processing equipment 1 that participates in its expansion. The furnace 2 extends primarily in a vertical direction, which corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor 4, on which the processing equipment 1 for processing expandable ore rests.

[0042] According to this vertical direction, furnace 2 extends between a first end 6 and a second end 8 that are opposite each other. The second end 8 is the end of furnace 2 near the floor 4, while the first end 6 is a distance away from the floor 4.

[0043] The second end 8 of the furnace 2 is equipped with a burner 10, which generates an airflow for heating expandable ore to temperatures in the range of 1000°C. According to an embodiment, the burner 10 is either mounted on the floor 4, or, as in the embodiment shown, supported near the floor 4 by the structure 12 of the furnace 2. For example, the structure 12 is a supporting metal structure that supports various components of the furnace 2.

[0044] Structure 12 also supports the furnace body 14, in Figure 1As shown by the dashed lines, furnace body 14 corresponds to the main body of furnace 2 and is designed to receive expandable ore for expansion. Furnace body 14 is, herein, a tube with a substantially circular cross-section, which is considered to be in a plane substantially parallel to floor 4, in other words, in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Furnace body 14 is defined by a first vertical end 16 oriented toward a first end 6 of furnace 2 and a second vertical end 18 oriented toward a second end 8 of furnace 2. More specifically, the first vertical end 16 of furnace body 14 is located near the first end 6 of furnace 2, while the second vertical end 18 of furnace body 14 faces the second end 8 of furnace 2 but is at a distance from the latter, and therefore at a distance from floor 4. It should be understood from the foregoing that furnace body 14 is positioned at a distance from burner 10.

[0045] The furnace body 14 of furnace 2 is equipped with a surrounding thermal protection element 20, which is more specifically arranged concentrically around the furnace body 14 and the guide member 22. The thermal protection element 20 is configured to protect the operators and users of the processing plant 1 for handling expandable ore from the high temperatures released by furnace 2 and to limit heat loss in the expansion method for expanding expandable ore, which will be detailed later.

[0046] As previously described, the furnace body 14 is positioned at a distance from the burner 10. More specifically, the furnace body 14 is separated from the burner 10 at least by a guide member 22, which is vertically positioned between the furnace body 14 and the burner 10. In other words, starting from the floor 4, the furnace 2 includes the burner 10, the guide member 22, and the furnace body 14.

[0047] exist Figure 1 The guide member 22, shown in dashed lines, is configured to guide the airflow generated therein by the burner 14. The presence of the guide member 22, in particular, allows the airflow to be homogenized before it reaches the furnace body 14, due to the distance applied between the burner 14 on one side and the furnace body 14 on the other side.

[0048] The guide member 22 is a straight tube. It extends primarily vertically between a first edge 24 and a second edge 26, the first edge 24 connecting to a second vertical end 18 of the furnace body 14, and the second edge 26 opposite the burner 10. Between the guide member 22 and the burner 10, the furnace 2 includes an end member 28. More specifically, this end member 28 is mounted on the second edge 26 of the guide member 22. It allows for the flow of air generated by the burner 10 within the guide member 22. For example, the end member 28 has a tapered shape, widening away from the second edge 26.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the guide member 22 has two flanges 30, namely flanges 30 near each of its first edge 24 and its second edge 26.

[0050] The guide member 22 has an elongated overall shape; therefore, it should be understood that its length (i.e., its dimension measured along the vertical direction) is greater than its width, which is measured in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The guide member 22 herein has a circular shape. Therefore, the length of the guide member 22 is greater than its diameter. Preferably, the length of the guide member 22 is between five and six times its width, in other words, between five and six times its diameter.

[0051] Furthermore, the cross-section of the guide member 22 is substantially equivalent to the cross-section of the furnace body 14 within manufacturing tolerances. In the accompanying drawings, this correspondence between the cross-section of the guide member 22 and the cross-section of the furnace body 14 is visible as a dashed line throughout the thermal protection element 20, which forms an additional thickness around the furnace body 14 and the guide member 22.

[0052] Within the processing equipment 1 for processing expandable ore, the expandable ore is conveyed to the furnace 2 via a conveying pipe (not shown). This conveying pipe transports the expandable ore upwards to a tilting member 32 of the processing equipment 1, which is located near the first end 6 of the furnace. It should be understood that the tilting member 32 is therefore vertically aligned with the burner 10.

[0053] The tilting member 32 has a funnel-shaped shape. In addition to being connected to the conveying pipe, it is also connected to an introduction device 34 for introducing expandable ore, which is designed to convey the expandable ore into the furnace body 14. The introduction device 34 for introducing expandable ore is located at the first end 6 of the furnace 2. According to an embodiment, the introduction device 34 for introducing expandable ore includes a single introduction member 36 or multiple such introduction members 36 for introducing expandable ore. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the introducing device 34 for introducing expandable ore includes three introducing members 36 for introducing expandable ore, including a first introducing member 36A for introducing expandable ore, a second introducing member 36B for introducing expandable ore, and a third introducing member 36C for introducing expandable ore.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the introducing member 36 for introducing expandable ore is introduced into the furnace body 14 of the furnace 2 at different heights (in other words, at different distances from the burner 10). These distances are measured vertically. In this document, the first introducing member 36A for introducing expandable ore extends into the furnace body 14 at a first distance D1, which is greater than a second distance D2 measured between the second introducing member 36B for introducing expandable ore and the burner 10. This second distance D2 is itself greater than a distance D3 between the third introducing member 36C for introducing expandable ore and the burner 10. In other words, from the first end 6 to the second end 8 of the furnace 2, the first introducing member 36A, the second introducing member 36B, and the third introducing member 36C for introducing expandable ore are sequentially arranged. It should be understood that, relative to the floor 4, the first inlet member 36A for introducing expandable ore corresponds to the top inlet point within the furnace body 14, the second inlet member 36B for introducing expandable ore corresponds to the middle inlet point, and the third inlet member 36C for introducing expandable ore corresponds to the bottom inlet point. For example, the distance D4 measured between the point where the first inlet member 36A for introducing expandable ore enters the furnace body 14 and the point where the second inlet member 36B for introducing expandable ore enters the furnace body 14 is in the range of one to four meters.

[0055] Although each inlet member 36 for introducing expandable ore is shown herein as a single conduit leading to the furnace body 14, embodiments are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention, wherein at least one of the inlet members 36 for introducing expandable ore, and possibly all of the inlet members 36 for introducing expandable ore, have multiple conduits. Where appropriate, these conduits are radially distributed around the furnace body 14, and then the conduits are arranged equidistantly from each other around the furnace body 14. It should be noted that in the case of multiple conduits for a given inlet member 36 for introducing expandable ore, all these conduits enter the furnace body 14 at the same height (i.e., at the same distance from the burner 10). In other words, all conduits forming the same inlet member 36 for introducing expandable ore are arranged along the diameter of the furnace body 14.

[0056] The expansion method for expanding expandable ore, relating to processing equipment 1 for processing expandable ore, will now be described in detail. In this expansion method, a burner 10 is ignited to generate a flame for reheating the gas flow. This reheated gas flow passes through a nozzle 28 and a guide member 22 to the furnace body 14 of the furnace 2. Expandable ore with a suitable particle size distribution is conveyed upwards via a conveying pipe to a tilting member 32. The tilting member 32 then distributes the expandable ore to an inlet device 34 for introducing the expandable ore, and more specifically to one of its inlet members 36 for introducing the expandable ore, so that it is introduced into the furnace body 14. The expandable ore falls into the furnace body 14 and expands upon encountering the gas flow.

[0057] Depending on the inlet member 36 used to introduce the expandable ore, the ore is conveyed to the furnace body 14 through the inlet member 36. After expansion, the ore has different actual volumetric mass, particle size dispersion, particle size and water absorption rate.

[0058] As an example, tests were conducted in a pilot furnace 2 equipped with three inlet members 36 for introducing expandable ore. The first inlet member 36A corresponds to the top inlet point, the second inlet member 36B corresponds to the middle inlet point, and the third inlet member 36C corresponds to the bottom inlet point. The flow rate of furnace 2 was 3.0 ± 0.1 kg ore / h. The expandable ore tested was perlite. Ore of different initial particle sizes, referred to as perlite A, perlite B, and perlite C, had been expanded. The characteristics of the raw materials are combined in Table 1. Particle size was determined by dry method using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser particle size analyzer. Diameter (d50) represents a particle size value where the volume of particles smaller than this value accounts for 50% of the total volume of the expanded ore. Similarly, different quantiles, such as the first decimal place (d1) or the last decimal place (d90), represent particle size values ​​where, in expanded ore, particles smaller than this value account for 10% and 90% of the total volume, respectively. The span characterizes the dispersion of the particle size distribution. It is calculated using the formula span = (d90 - d10) / d50.

[0059] Table 1

[0060]

[0061] For each type of unexpanded perlite, tests were conducted using different introducing components 36A, 36B, and 36C. To obtain expanded perlite with the desired apparent density, the temperature of furnace 2 was adjusted, specifically at the first end 6 of furnace 4. Figure 1The temperature was measured at the point indicated by the white arrow. Apparent density is a characteristic typically considered when selecting expanded ore for use in mortar and coating formulations. The resulting perlite was then measured for its particle size, apparent density, actual density, and water absorption.

[0062] Apparent density is measured by weighing the amount of perlite required to fill a 1L container. The results are given as the average of two consecutive measurements.

[0063] Actual density was measured using an Anton Paar ULTRAPYC 5000 helium specific gravity cylinder, following the manufacturer's recommendations. Actual density affects the density of formulations containing expanded perlite after preparation.

[0064] Water absorption rate is measured by immersing a given mass M1 of expanded perlite in water for 15 minutes. Unabsorbed water is then removed, and the expanded perlite is weighed again to determine the mass M2. The water absorption factor, expressed as a percentage, is calculated as follows: (M2 - M1) / M1 x 100. Water absorption rate affects the processability of formulations containing expanded perlite, and this effect is more detrimental when the water absorption rate of the expanded perlite is high.

[0065] Table 2 - Characteristics of expanded perlite.

[0066]

[0067] As mentioned above, each of the different inlet points mentioned in Table 2 corresponds to one of the inlet members 36 for introducing expandable ore, namely, the first inlet member 36A for introducing expandable ore at the top inlet point, the second inlet member 36B for introducing expandable ore at the middle inlet point, and the third inlet member 36C for introducing expandable ore at the bottom inlet point.

[0068] Comparisons of paired tests C1 and D1, and C2 and D2, respectively, show that for the same perlite and a comparable furnace temperature 2, when a lower inlet point is used and the particles are subjected to higher temperatures, the median size of the expanded particles is larger, and their actual density and their apparent density are lower.

[0069] Comparisons of paired experiments A1 and A2, B1 and B2, C1 and C2, and D1 and D2 show that, for the same apparent density, expanded perlite with different properties can be obtained by changing the selection of the inlet member 36 (i.e., the inlet point) used to introduce the expandable ore and the temperature of furnace 2, thus allowing for finer control over the quality of the expanded ore. When the inlet member of the expandable ore 36 is further away from the burner 10, the actual density or span is even lower. A lower actual density is more advantageous because it allows for greater weight reduction for a given mass of expanded perlite.

[0070] Once expanded, the ore exits the furnace body 14 via extraction pipe 38. Extraction pipe 38 is connected at a first end to a first vertical end 16 of the furnace body 14 and at a second end equipped with a cyclone separator 44, which is itself connected to a suction member 40, such as a fan, which allows the expanded ore to be sucked out of the furnace body 14.

[0071] The suction pipe 38 extends primarily parallel to the floor 4. In some embodiments, it carries a spraying device 42. The spraying device 42 includes at least one nozzle disposed within or on the wall of the suction pipe 38 and configured to diffuse a coating solution (e.g., a solution or dispersion of a waterproofing agent) onto the expanded ore particles.

[0072] For collection, the expanded particles pass through a cyclone separator 44, which is located near the second end of the discharge pipe 38 and the suction member 40. In some embodiments, the finest particles are blocked by a filter, not shown in the figure.

[0073] Therefore, the present invention provides a processing apparatus for processing expandable ore, in which the ore expands uniformly, particularly due to the distance established between the burner and the heating furnace body of the apparatus, which is generated by the addition of guiding components within the apparatus.

[0074] Nevertheless, the present invention should not be limited to the devices and constructions described and illustrated herein, and it also covers any equivalent devices and constructions and any technically feasible combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A processing plant (1) for processing expanded ore, comprising: The furnace (2) includes a furnace body (14) configured to expand expandable ore; a burner (10); and a guide member (22) for guiding the flame generated by the burner (10); the processing equipment (1) includes at least one introduction device (34) for introducing expandable ore into the furnace body (14), the guide member (22) being disposed between the furnace body (14) and the burner (10), the length of the guide member (22) being at least twice the width of the furnace body (14) of the furnace (2).

2. The processing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein The guide member (22) is a tube, the length of which is greater than its width.

3. The processing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cross-section of the furnace body (14) of the furnace (2) is substantially the same as the cross-section of the guide member (22).

4. The processing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The furnace body (14) and the guide member (22) are surrounded by a heat-insulating thermal protection member (20).

5. The treatment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The introducing device (34) for introducing the expandable ore includes at least a first introducing member (36, 36A) for introducing the expandable ore and a second introducing member (36, 36B) for introducing the expandable ore.

6. The processing device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The first inlet member (36, 36A) for introducing the expandable ore and the second inlet member (36, 36B) for introducing the expandable ore extend into the furnace body (14) at different distances (D1, D2) from the burner (10), these distances (D1, D2) being measured according to the main extension direction of the furnace body (14).

7. The processing device (1) according to claim 6, wherein The distance (D4) between the first introducing member (36, 36A) for introducing the expandable ore and the second introducing member (36, 36B) for introducing the expandable ore is in the range of one to four meters.

8. The processing device (1) according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein, At least one of the first inlet member (36, 36A) for introducing expandable ore and the second inlet member (36, 36B) for introducing expandable ore includes a plurality of conduits arranged radially around the furnace body (14).

9. The processing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one dumping member (32) connected to the introducing device (34) for introducing the expandable ore.

10. The processing apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The tilting member (32) is located at the first end (6) of the processing device (1), and the burner (10) is located at the second end (8) of the processing device (1) opposite to the first end (6).

11. The processing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a suction member (40) for suctioning the expanded ore.

12. The treatment apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims includes a spraying device (42).

13. An expansion method for expanding said expandable ore in a processing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during the expansion method, the expandable ore is introduced into the furnace body (14) via an introduction device (34) for introducing the expandable ore, the burner (10) generating a flame configured to reheat an airflow passing through the guide member (22) in order to heat the expandable ore within the furnace body (14).

14. An expanded ore obtained by the expansion method according to the preceding claims.

Images