A method for detecting the eccentric feeding elbow pipe and wall thickness of a ball mill

Abstract

The application discloses a ball mill eccentric feeding elbow pipe and a wall thickness detection method, and relates to the technical field of ore dressing, which comprises a feeding pipe body, a first connecting piece, a second connecting piece, a supporting piece and a detection piece, wherein the wall thickness of the feeding pipe body is a non-uniform structure, the lower wall of the feeding pipe body is thinner than the upper wall, and at least one detection hole is formed in the lower wall; the first connecting piece is arranged at the front end of the feeding pipe body and is used for being detachably fixedly connected with a feeding hopper; the second connecting piece is arranged at the rear end of the feeding pipe body and is used for being detachably fixedly connected with a ball mill receiving port; the supporting piece is arranged at the lower part of the feeding pipe body and is used for supporting and limiting the feeding pipe body; and the detection piece is detachably connected with the detection hole, so that the actual residual wall thickness of the lower wall can be determined by measuring the length of the detection piece extending into the detection hole after the lower wall of the feeding pipe body is worn, effective detection of the wall thickness of the feeding elbow pipe is realized, the service life of the feeding elbow pipe is maximally prolonged, and the production cost of the ore dressing operation is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mineral processing technology, and in particular to a method for detecting the wall thickness of an eccentric feed bend in a ball mill. Background Technology

[0002] In the mineral processing, the ball mill is a key piece of equipment, and its feed bend at the front end plays a crucial role in conveying process media such as water, minerals, and steel balls. However, due to the friction between the process media and the inner wall of the feed bend during transportation, especially under the influence of gravity, minerals and steel balls deposit at the bottom of the water column, frequently rubbing against the lower wall of the feed bend. This causes the lower wall to gradually thin, which may eventually lead to pipe wall rupture and a "leaking" accident.

[0003] On-site investigation revealed that wear on the feed bend was primarily concentrated on the curved section of the lower wall. Current conventional solutions to this problem have several drawbacks: firstly, periodic replacement of the feed bend prematurely removes usable spare parts, resulting in unnecessary cost waste; secondly, replacing the feed bend only after it breaks during operation not only causes unexpected shutdowns of the ball mill, disrupting production, but also further increases maintenance costs due to emergency repairs. Therefore, a solution is urgently needed to effectively monitor the wear of the feed bend and extend its service life. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for detecting the wall thickness of the eccentric feed bend in a ball mill, so as to solve the problem of insufficient monitoring capability of the wear degree of the feed bend in the prior art, realize the effective detection of the wall thickness of the feed bend, and at the same time maximize its service life and reduce the production cost of mineral processing.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] This invention provides a ball mill feed bend, comprising: a feed tube body, a first connector, a second connector, a support, and a detection element. The feed tube body has a non-uniform wall thickness, with the lower wall being thicker than the upper wall. At least one detection hole is provided on the lower wall. The first connector is located at the front end of the feed tube body and is detachably fixed to a feed funnel. The second connector is located at the rear end of the feed tube body and is detachably fixed to a ball mill receiving port. The support is located at the lower part of the feed tube body to support and limit its movement. The detection element is detachably connected to the detection hole to determine the actual remaining wall thickness of the lower wall by measuring the length of the detection element extending into the detection hole after wear on the lower wall of the feed tube body.

[0007] Preferably, the feed tube is a feed bend, and the thickness of the lower wall of the feed bend decreases from the maximum wear area of ​​its bend segment towards both ends.

[0008] Preferably, the first connector is a flange located at the front end of the feed pipe body, and the second connector is a bend joint located at the rear end of the feed pipe body.

[0009] Preferably, there are multiple detection holes distributed along a predetermined path on the lower wall of the feed tube.

[0010] Preferably, the detection hole is a through hole penetrating the lower wall of the feed tube, the detection element is a sealing bolt that mates with the internal thread of the detection hole, and one end of the detection element extending into the feed tube is flush with the inner wall of the feed tube.

[0011] Preferably, the detection hole is a blind hole opened from the outer wall of the feed tube inward, and the detection element is a sealing bolt that mates with the internal thread of the blind hole.

[0012] Preferably, the depth of the blind hole becomes shallower as the wear resistance of the feed tube material increases.

[0013] Preferably, the feed tube is a cast integral part or is made by a multi-layer wear-resistant material overlay welding process.

[0014] Preferably, the support member is a support frame.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for detecting the wall thickness of the ball mill feed bend as described in any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

[0016] S1: Before the feed bend is put into use, measure and record the initial length L0 of the test piece;

[0017] S2: Periodically remove the sealing bolts, clean them, and measure their current length L1;

[0018] S3: Evaluate the degree of wear of the lower wall of the feed tube at the detection hole based on the wear amount ΔL = L0 - L1;

[0019] S4: When ΔL reaches the preset critical wear level, it is determined that the feed tube needs to be replaced.

[0020] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0021] This invention provides a method for detecting the wall thickness of an eccentric feed bend in a ball mill. By optimizing the wall thickness distribution of the feed tube (i.e., the lower wall is thicker than the upper wall), and employing an even thicker design in the area of ​​maximum wear during the bend, the structural strength and wear resistance of easily worn parts can be significantly improved, thereby effectively extending the overall service life of the feed bend. Simultaneously, the detection holes, in conjunction with detachable detection components (such as sealing bolts), enable convenient and accurate monitoring of the wear degree of the lower wall. In practical applications, operators only need to periodically disassemble the detection components and quickly calculate the wear amount by measuring their length changes, avoiding the drawbacks of traditional detection methods that require machine shutdown or the use of complex equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 The present invention provides a front view of the eccentric feed bend of a ball mill installed at the feed inlet of a ball mill.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view of the eccentric feed bend of the ball mill provided by the present invention;

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Feed bend; 2. Flange; 3. Bend joint; 4. Sealing bolt; 5. Support frame; 6. Ball mill feed inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for detecting the wall thickness of the eccentric feed bend in a ball mill, so as to solve the problem of insufficient monitoring capability of the wear degree of the feed bend in the prior art, realize the effective detection of the wall thickness of the feed bend, and at the same time maximize its service life and reduce the production cost of mineral processing.

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] This embodiment provides a ball mill feed bend 1, such as... Figures 1-2 As shown, the device includes: a feed tube body, a first connector, a second connector, a support, and a detection component. The feed tube body has a non-uniform wall thickness, with the lower wall being thicker than the upper wall. At least one detection hole is provided on the lower wall. The first connector is located at the front end of the feed tube body and is detachably fixed to the feed funnel. The second connector is located at the rear end of the feed tube body and is detachably fixed to the ball mill receiving port 6. The support is located at the lower part of the feed tube body to support and limit its movement. The detection component is detachably connected to the detection hole to determine the actual remaining wall thickness of the lower wall by measuring the length of the detection component extending into the detection hole after the lower wall of the feed tube body is worn. The non-uniform wall thickness design of the feed tube body, with the lower wall being thicker than the upper wall, specifically enhances the wear resistance of the easily worn lower wall portion and extends the service life of the feed tube body. The detection port provides a means for real-time monitoring of the lower wall wear. Combined with the detection component, it accurately determines the actual remaining wall thickness, facilitating timely assessment of the feed pipe's wear status, allowing for reasonable scheduling of replacement, and preventing ore leakage accidents caused by excessive wear. The first and second connecting parts enable detachable connections to the feed hopper and the ball mill receiving port 6, facilitating installation and disassembly, and aiding in equipment maintenance and replacement. The support component provides support and limits for the feed pipe, ensuring its stability during the conveying of the process medium and preventing displacement that could affect normal operation.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the feed tube body is a feed bend 1. The thickness of the lower wall of the feed bend 1 decreases from the area of ​​maximum wear in its curved section towards both ends. This gradual change in lower wall thickness further optimizes the wear resistance of the feed bend 1. Increasing the wall thickness in the area of ​​maximum wear in the curved section effectively resists the friction of the process medium, while the decreasing thickness towards both ends meets the wear resistance requirements of this part and avoids excessive material use, thus reducing production costs while ensuring service life. At the same time, this design more closely reflects actual wear conditions, making the structure of the feed bend 1 more rational.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first connecting component is a flange 2 located at the front end of the feed pipe body, and the second connecting component is a bend joint 3 located at the rear end of the feed pipe body. The front flange 2 is connected to the feed funnel, and the connection method is standard and stable, facilitating installation and disassembly, and ensuring the sealing performance between the flange 2 and the feed funnel to prevent leakage of the process medium. The rear bend joint 3 is connected to the ball mill inlet 6. The structural design of the bend joint 3 is adapted to the ball mill inlet 6, ensuring that the process medium can smoothly enter the ball mill from the feed bend 1, and also facilitating the disassembly and replacement of the feed bend 1, thus improving the convenience of equipment maintenance.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, multiple detection holes are distributed along a preset path on the lower wall of the feed pipe. This multi-point distribution allows for multi-point detection of wear at different locations on the lower wall of the feed pipe, providing a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the wear condition. The detection data from different locations reflects the wear distribution pattern, helping to identify areas of severe localized wear in advance and enabling timely intervention to prevent damage to the feed pipe due to excessive localized wear, thus further ensuring the safe and stable operation of the feed pipe.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the detection hole is a through hole penetrating the lower wall of the feed pipe, and the detection element is a plugging bolt 4 that mates with the internal thread of the detection hole. One end of the detection element extending into the feed pipe is flush with the inner wall of the feed pipe. Using a through hole and a threaded plugging bolt 4 as the detection method results in a simple structure and convenient operation. By measuring the change in the length of the plugging bolt 4 extending into the detection hole, the wear degree of the lower wall of the feed pipe can be directly reflected. The detection method is intuitive and easy to implement. The flush alignment of the plugging bolt 4 with the inner wall ensures that it does not affect the flow of the process medium during transport, while also accurately measuring the remaining wall thickness of the lower wall.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the detection hole is a blind hole extending inward from the outer wall of the feed pipe body. The detection component is a sealing bolt 4 that mates with the internal thread of the blind hole. Compared to a through hole, this combination of blind hole and sealing bolt 4 has less impact on the structural strength of the feed pipe body, thus ensuring the overall performance of the feed pipe body to a certain extent. By periodically disassembling the sealing bolt 4 to observe whether there is ore leakage or measuring the fit between the bolt and the blind hole, the wear condition of the lower wall can be determined, thus achieving effective monitoring of the wear of the lower wall of the feed pipe body.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the blind hole decreases as the wear resistance of the feed tube material increases. Adjusting the blind hole depth according to the wear resistance of the feed tube material is a targeted optimization design. For highly wear-resistant materials, a shallower blind hole can meet the testing requirements while minimizing the weakening of the feed tube structure's strength. This design can fully utilize the performance advantages of different materials while ensuring testing effectiveness, extending the service life of the feed tube, and improving the rationality and effectiveness of the testing.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the feed pipe body is either a one-piece cast part or manufactured using a multi-layer wear-resistant material welding process. The one-piece casting process ensures the integrity and structural strength of the feed pipe body, reduces the risk of leakage at connection points, and improves the reliability of the feed pipe body. The multi-layer wear-resistant material welding process allows for the deposition of wear-resistant material onto easily worn areas of the feed pipe body (such as the lower wall), enhancing its wear resistance. The thickness and distribution of the wear-resistant layer can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs, further improving the service life of the feed pipe body and meeting the requirements of different operating conditions.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the support is a support frame 5. The support frame 5 has a simple structure and good support effect, providing stable support and limiting for the feed pipe body. It can effectively prevent the feed pipe body from shifting or shaking due to its own weight, the impact force of the medium, and other factors during the conveying of the process medium, ensuring the positional accuracy of the feed pipe body and the connection stability between it and the feed funnel and the ball mill receiving port 6, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the entire feeding system.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] This embodiment also provides a method for detecting the wall thickness of the ball mill feed bend 1 as described above, including the following steps:

[0041] I. Preparations before use

[0042] Component Inspection and Cleaning: Before putting the feed bend 1 into use, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the feed pipe body, the first connecting component (flange 2), the second connecting component (bend joint 3), the support component (support frame 5), and the testing component (sealing bolt 4). Check the surface of the feed pipe body for defects such as cracks and sand holes, paying particular attention to whether the thickness of the lower wall meets the design requirements and whether the wall thickness distribution is uniform. Check whether the connection between the flange 2, the bend joint 3, and the feed pipe body is secure and whether the threads are intact. Check whether the structure of the support frame 5 is stable and free from deformation. At the same time, clean all components to remove oil, rust, and other impurities to ensure the accuracy of installation and testing.

[0043] Installation and securing:

[0044] Install the support frame 5 at the predetermined position at the bottom of the feed pipe body and fix it with the matching bolts to ensure that the support frame 5 fits tightly with the feed pipe body and can provide stable support for the feed pipe body. During the tightening of the bolts, operate according to the specified torque value to ensure that the installation is firm and that the feed pipe body is not deformed due to overtightening.

[0045] Install flange 2 at the front end of the feed pipe body and fix it by welding or bolting. If welding is used, ensure the welding quality and avoid problems such as incomplete welding or missing welds. If bolting is used, tighten the bolts to the specified torque to ensure the connection is sealed and prevent leakage of process media.

[0046] Install the elbow joint 3 at the rear end of the feed pipe body and connect it to the ball mill inlet 6. Before connection, install a suitable sealing gasket between the elbow joint 3 and the ball mill inlet 6, and then tighten it with bolts. During installation, pay attention to the alignment of the elbow joint 3 and the inlet to ensure smooth delivery of the process medium, and avoid excessive or uneven compression of the sealing gasket, which could affect the sealing effect.

[0047] Initial length measurement and recording of the test piece:

[0048] For the sealing bolt 4 used as the test component, its initial length L0 should be measured using a high-precision measuring tool (such as a micrometer or caliper) before installation into the test hole. Measurements should be taken at multiple locations, and the average value should be taken to improve measurement accuracy.

[0049] The measured initial length L0 is recorded in detail in a dedicated inspection record table, along with the corresponding inspection hole location information, for subsequent tracking and analysis.

[0050] II. Inspection during operation

[0051] Regular inspection schedule: Based on the operating environment of the feed bend 1, the characteristics of the conveying medium, and past experience, a reasonable regular inspection cycle should be established. Generally, in the initial stage of use, wear on the feed bend 1 is relatively slow, and the inspection cycle can be appropriately extended; as the usage time increases, wear intensifies, and the inspection cycle should be gradually shortened. For example, in the first three months, inspection can be carried out monthly; thereafter, inspection can be carried out every half month.

[0052] Removal and cleaning of sealing bolt 4:

[0053] After stopping the machine at the scheduled inspection time and ensuring there is no pressure or residual medium in the feed bend 1, carefully remove the sealing bolt 4 using a suitable tool (such as a wrench). During removal, avoid damaging the threads of the sealing bolt 4 and the inspection hole.

[0054] Clean the removed sealing bolt 4 to remove any adhering materials, oil, or other impurities. Use a specialized cleaning agent and brush to ensure the surface of the sealing bolt 4 is clean and will not affect subsequent measurements.

[0055] Current length measurement and recording:

[0056] Using the same high-precision measuring tool as the initial length measurement, measure the current length L1 of the cleaned sealing bolt 4. Measure at multiple locations and average the results to ensure accuracy.

[0057] Record the measured current length L1 in the inspection record table, corresponding to the previously recorded initial length L0 and the inspection hole position information. Also record the inspection time for subsequent wear trend analysis.

[0058] III. Wear and tear assessment and judgment

[0059] Wear calculation: Based on the recorded initial length L0 and current length L1, the wear amount of the lower wall of the feed tube at the detection hole is calculated according to the formula wear amount ΔL=L0-L1.

[0060] Wear Assessment: The calculated wear amount ΔL is compared with preset wear standards for different stages to assess the wear degree of the lower wall of the feed tube at the detection hole. For example, the preset standard for mild wear is ΔL1, and the standard for moderate wear is ΔL2 (ΔL1 < ΔL2). When ΔL ≤ ΔL1, it is judged as mild wear; when ΔL1 < ΔL ≤ ΔL2, it is judged as moderate wear; and when ΔL > ΔL2, it is judged as severe wear. By assessing the wear degree at different detection holes, a comprehensive understanding of the wear condition of the lower wall of the feed tube is obtained.

[0061] Replacement Determination: The calculated wear amount ΔL is compared with the preset critical wear amount. When ΔL reaches the preset critical wear amount, the feed pipe body is determined to need replacement. Simultaneously, the necessity of replacement is further confirmed by comprehensively considering the wear condition of multiple detection holes and the overall operating status of the feed pipe body, such as whether local leaks or abnormal vibrations occur. If only the wear amount at a few detection holes reaches the critical value, but the wear at other detection holes is relatively minor and the feed pipe body is operating normally overall, the detection cycle can be appropriately shortened and monitoring strengthened. If multiple detection holes are severely worn or other abnormalities occur, the feed pipe body should be replaced immediately to avoid accidents such as ore leakage that could affect production.

[0062] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A ball mill feed bend, characterized in that: include: The feeding tube has a non-uniform wall thickness, with the lower wall being thicker than the upper wall, and at least one detection hole is provided on the lower wall. The first connector is located at the front end of the feed pipe body and is used to be detachably and fixedly connected to the feed funnel. The second connector is located at the rear end of the feed pipe body and is used to be detachably and fixedly connected to the ball mill receiving port. A support member, located at the lower part of the feed pipe body, is provided to support and limit the feed pipe body; and A detection element, detachably connected to the detection hole, is used to determine the actual remaining wall thickness of the lower wall by measuring the length of the detection element extending into the detection hole after wear on the lower wall of the feed tube.

2. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed tube is a feed bend, and the thickness of the lower wall of the feed bend decreases from the maximum wear area of ​​its bend segment towards both ends.

3. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connector is a flange located at the front end of the feed pipe body, and the second connector is a bend joint located at the rear end of the feed pipe body.

4. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection holes are multiple and distributed along a preset path on the lower wall of the feed tube.

5. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection hole is a through hole penetrating the lower wall of the feed tube body, and the detection element is a sealing bolt that mates with the internal thread of the detection hole, with one end of the detection element extending into the feed tube body flush with the inner wall of the feed tube body.

6. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection hole is a blind hole opened from the outer wall of the feed pipe inward, and the detection component is a sealing bolt that mates with the internal thread of the blind hole.

7. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 6, characterized in that: The depth of the blind hole becomes shallower as the wear resistance of the feed tube material increases.

8. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feed tube is either a cast integral part or made by a multi-layer wear-resistant material overlay welding process.

9. The ball mill feed bend according to claim 8, characterized in that: The support component is a support frame.

10. A method for detecting the wall thickness of the ball mill feed bend according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Before the feed bend is put into use, measure and record the initial length L0 of the test piece; S2: Periodically remove the sealing bolts, clean them, and measure their current length L1; S3: Evaluate the degree of wear of the lower wall of the feed tube at the detection hole based on the wear amount ΔL = L0 - L1; S4: When ΔL reaches the preset critical wear level, it is determined that the feed tube needs to be replaced.

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