Slurry supply device, flotation unit and flotation facility

Abstract

The utility model relates to a slurry supply device, a flotation unit and a flotation facility. The slurry supply device (100) includes a plurality of downcomers to mix a flotation gas (230) with slurry from an input slurry stream (200) to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and to supply the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) into a tank of a flotation unit. The plurality of downcomers are positioned in sectors (130) around a center (202), each of the sectors comprising two or more downcomers (110, 120) of the plurality of downcomers, the two or more downcomers being at different distances from the center. According to the slurry supply device, more downcomers can be provided for the slurry supply device under the condition that the radius of the tank body is not increased, so that the total output flow velocity of a slurry-flotation gas mixture is increased, and higher material throughput can be maintained by reducing the slurry recovery rate of the slurry supply device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to flotation and mineral processing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to separating minerals from their ores by flotation. Background Art

[0002] Over the past two decades, the use of high intensity flotation cells, often referred to as "Jameson cells," has become increasingly common in mineral processing. Similar technology is also used in a newer family of flotation cells, often referred to as "Concorde cells."

[0003] However, various ores contain large amounts of material, such as serpentinized gangue minerals (e.g., lizardite and antigorite) and talc, which can cover valuable mineral particles (e.g., nickel sulfide) and prevent them from coming into contact with bubbles during flotation. To try and improve flotation efficiency, slurry concentrations are reduced, resulting in significant slurry volumes, such as at 7% solids. Processing such material in conventional mechanically agitated tanks is costly and uneconomical.

[0004] In view of the above, one may wish to develop new solutions related to flotation cells. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of providing this summary of the utility model is to introduce a selection of multiple concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary of the utility model is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] The present solutions can be used in any flotation cell, such as a Jameson cell and / or a Concord cell, in which a combined flow of slurry and air is introduced into the tank of the flotation cell via one or more columns called "downcomers." These solutions are particularly suitable for rougher cell flotation cells.

[0007] In this specification, "flotation" may refer to the separation of a mixture by binding substances within the mixture to an interface. In flotation, separation of a mixture can be based on differences in the hydrophobicity of the substances within the mixture. In this context, "separation" may refer to the extraction or removal of a substance from a mixture for use or disposal.

[0008] In particular, the solutions disclosed herein can be used for froth flotation, wherein "foam flotation" may refer to flotation in which froth is used for separation. Here, "foam" may refer to a dispersion comprising a larger volume portion of flotation gas dispersed in a smaller volume portion of flotation liquid in the form of bubbles. Typically, the froth can be stabilized with or without the aid of solid particles. In the froth, the average diameter of the flotation bubbles is typically greater than or equal to 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm or 1 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the average distance between adjacent flotation bubbles in a froth not stabilized by solid particles is typically less than or equal to a few tens of micrometers, for example, less than or equal to 50 μm or 30 μm. Of course, in a froth stabilized by solid particles, the average distance between adjacent flotation bubbles increases with increasing average size and number of solid particles.

[0009] In this disclosure, a "unit" may refer to a device adapted or configured to perform at least one specific process. Of course, a "flotation unit" may refer to a unit adapted or configured to flotate a material, such as a flotation machine. A unit may generally include one or more components, and each of the one or more components may be classified as an arrangement belonging to the unit.

[0010] The term "apparatus" for a unit configured to perform a process may refer to a set of components of the unit that are adapted or configured to perform at least one specific sub-process of the process. Thus, a "unit comprising an apparatus" may refer to the unit comprising a plurality of components belonging to the apparatus. In general, an apparatus may include one or more components, such as mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic components, that are necessary and / or beneficial for performing its specific sub-process.

[0011] Throughout this disclosure, "slurry" may refer to a dispersion comprising solid particles suspended in a continuous phase of a flotation fluid. As used herein, "flotation fluid" may refer to any liquid substance or mixture suitable for flotation. While water or aqueous solutions are often used as flotation fluids in practical applications, other types of liquid substances may also be used, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Thus, a "slurry supply device" may refer to a component or device of a flotation cell adapted or configured to supply slurry to the tank of the flotation cell.

[0012] In this specification, "flotation gas" may refer to any gaseous substance suitable for flotation, such as air or pressurized air. Although air is often used as the flotation gas in practical applications, other types of gaseous substances, such as argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof, may also be used, as known to those skilled in the art. In addition, "tank" may refer to a container suitable for or configured to contain a fluid (e.g., a liquid and / or a slurry).

[0013] According to a first aspect, a slurry supply apparatus is provided. The slurry supply apparatus includes a plurality of downcomers configured to mix flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture. The plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors around a center, each sector including two or more downcomers from the plurality of downcomers, the two or more downcomers being located at different distances from the center.

[0014] In one embodiment, two or more of the plurality of downcomers include a first downcomer at a first distance from the center and a second downcomer at a second distance from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0015] In one embodiment, the second distance is 150-200% of the first distance. In particular, the second distance may be 160-180% of the first distance, or more specifically 170%.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first downcomer has a first diameter and the second downcomer has a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.

[0017] In one embodiment, two or more of the plurality of downcomers further include a third downcomer having a third distance from the center, the third distance being greater than the second distance.

[0018] In one embodiment, the plurality of downcomers are positioned rotationally symmetrically about the center.

[0019] In one embodiment, each downcomer of the plurality of downcomers includes or is connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet and a throttling valve for restricting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet.

[0020] In one embodiment, the number of sectors is four or more.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a flotation cell is provided, comprising a tank and one or more slurry supply devices according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof for supplying a slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank.

[0022] In one embodiment, the center corresponds to the central axis of the tank.

[0023] In one embodiment, the one or more slurry feed devices comprise two or more slurry feed devices according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof for feeding slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank.

[0024] In one embodiment, the two or more slurry feed devices are positioned rotationally symmetrically around the central axis of the tank.

[0025] According to a third aspect, there is provided a flotation plant comprising one or more flotation cells according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of downcomers for mixing flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and for supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture to a tank of a flotation cell. The method further includes positioning the plurality of downcomers in a plurality of sectors around a center of the tank, each sector including two or more downcomers positioned at different distances from the center.

[0027] It should be understood that the aspects and embodiments described above can be used in any combination with each other. Several aspects and embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments.

[0028] In the solution of the present disclosure, a centralized feed distributor can be used to distribute the slurry to multiple downcomers. Two or more downcomers can be located in each sector of the flotation machine and can therefore operate in parallel (parallel) with each other. This is in contrast to standard flotation machines (such as Jameson or Concord cells). In standard flotation machines, multiple downcomers are typically operated in a tank in the form of roughly vertical columns, with each downcomer located on the same radius.

[0029] There are (at least) two downcomers in each of two adjacent sectors, which are specifically positioned as follows. The inner arc length can be defined as the length of the arc separating the first downcomers in adjacent sectors, each downcomer being positioned at a first distance from the center. The outer arc length can be defined as the length of the arc separating the second downcomers in adjacent sectors, each downcomer being positioned at a second distance from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance. In a specific embodiment, the ratio of the outer arc length to the inner arc length can be 170%. The value can also correspond to the ratio of the second distance to the first distance. Using such a solution, flow rates per unit area or tank cross-sectional area that are significantly higher than standard slurry feed devices can be handled.

[0030] The solution disclosed herein allows for the parallel feeding of slurry through at least two downcomers per flotation cell sector. The slurry feeding arrangement allows for the processing of large volumes of low-density sludge by a single flotation cell, potentially eliminating the need for an entire train of large mechanical flotation cells. Increasing the number of downcomers per unit area (e.g., cell area or tank cross-sectional area) also allows for a significant increase in the flotation cell's shear energy, particularly when the cell area has the same diameter.

[0031] Compared to the standard slurry feed apparatus of Jameson and Concord flotation cells, the present solution can allow processing of twice the slurry feed flow rate. The slurry feed apparatus disclosed herein can be retrofitted to existing flotation cells by replacing the slurry feed apparatus of the existing flotation cell with any of the slurry feed apparatus disclosed herein.

[0032] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that, according to the solution of the present invention, a larger number of downcomers can be provided for the slurry supply device without increasing the radius of the tank body, thereby increasing the total output flow rate of the slurry-flotation gas mixture and maintaining a higher material throughput by reducing the slurry recovery rate of the slurry supply device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present disclosure may be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a slurry supply device,

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a slurry supply device is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic side view of a flotation cell,

[0037] Figure 4 shows a partial schematic diagram of a flotation facility, and

[0038] Figure 5 A method for a slurry feeding apparatus is illustrated.

[0039] Similar reference numbers are used to identify equivalent components or at least functionally equivalent components in the figures.

[0040] Unless specifically stated to the contrary, any of the figures in the above drawings may not be drawn to scale, such that any element in the figures may not be accurately proportioned to other elements in the figures, in order to highlight certain structural aspects of the embodiments of the drawings.

[0041] Furthermore, corresponding elements in the embodiments of any two of the aforementioned figures may be out of scale with respect to each other in the two figures in order to highlight certain structural aspects of the embodiments of the two figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The detailed description provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is a description of an embodiment and does not represent the only configuration or use form of the embodiment. However, the same or equivalent functions and structures can be achieved through different embodiments.

[0043] Figure 1 An embodiment of a slurry supply device 100 (also referred to herein as “the device”) is shown from a top view. Figure 2 A schematic side view of a slurry supply device 100 (such as the device described) is shown. Figure 1 The downcomers are shown with the same hatching as in Figure 2 The characteristic slurry flow path is shown by dashed arrows in FIG. The disclosed slurry supply device can be arranged within a tank of a flotation cell, such as a Jameson cell and / or a Concord cell. In general, the solution disclosed herein can be used in any type of flotation cell that can be arranged to dispense pressurized slurry therein. The solution described herein is applicable to all types of minerals that can be provided in a slurry.

[0044] The apparatus 100 includes a plurality of downcomers (also referred to herein as "the plurality of downcomers"), which may be provided in the form of vertical columns. The downcomers may be used to mix flotation gas 230 with slurry from the input slurry stream 200 to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture 240. The downcomers may also be arranged to deliver the slurry-flotation gas mixture to a tank of a flotation cell, for example, from one end (e.g., the bottom end) of the respective downcomers. The downcomers may be parallel to one another. The guide plates may be cylindrical. Although not shown in the figures, the downcomers may generally be equipped with any suitable device, such as one or more flotation gas inlets, for receiving flotation gas from the input slurry stream to be mixed with the slurry. The plurality of downcomers may also include or consist of ejectors and / or blast tubes.

[0045] The apparatus 100 may include a slurry supply conduit for supplying slurry from an input slurry flow 200 to a plurality of downcomers. As used herein, "conduit" may refer to a system of pipes and, optionally, one or more associated in-line components, such as fittings and valves, adapted or configured to convey a fluid. Thus, a "slurry supply conduit" may refer to a conduit adapted or configured to supply slurry to a plurality of downcomers. The slurry supply conduit may be arranged to centrally supply the fluid to a distributor. The slurry supply conduit may be arranged to divide the input slurry flow into partial slurry flows for supplying the slurry to the downcomers at one or more points. The diagram illustrates a solution in which the partial slurry flows to all downcomers are formed simultaneously, i.e., from the same input flow. The slurry supply conduit may include a main conduit 140 for supplying slurry from the input slurry flow to the plurality of downcomers. Thus, the main conduit may include a separate outlet for supplying slurry to each downcomer. The main conduit may be perpendicular and / or parallel to the downcomers. The slurry supply pipeline may include an intermediate pipeline 144 from the main pipeline to the downcomer, for example as a separate pipeline for each downcomer. In one example, the intermediate pipeline is horizontal, or at least transports the slurry within a horizontal distance.

[0046] The plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors 130 around a center 202. The center may correspond to the center point of the flotation cell tank. The center 202 may serve as the central axis of the apparatus. It may correspond to the vertical axis of the apparatus and / or tank. The center may be located within the slurry supply conduit, particularly the main conduit 140. The number of sectors may be four or more, for example, six to eight or more. Figure 1 The solution shown has eight sectors. These sectors can be of equal size. Each sector has a central angle, which can be 360 ​​degrees divided by the number of sectors, as seen from the center. While this arrangement need not include any physical entities (e.g., walls for the sectors), they can be included in the device and / or tank.

[0047] Each sector 130 includes two or more downcomers 110, 120, 250, that is, two or more of these downcomers are positioned within each sector. Within each sector, the two or more downcomers are positioned at different distances from the center 202. However, in any or all sectors, the two or more downcomers can still be positioned along the same radial line 142, which can be considered (and imagined) to extend radially from the center. Each sector can have its own radial line, for example, any or all of which can be located at the center of a sector. This dual positioning allows the apparatus 100 to have a greater number of downcomers, which in turn can increase the total output flow rate of the slurry-flotation gas mixture from the slurry feeder and / or maintain a higher material throughput by reducing the slurry recovery rate of the slurry feeder. The number of downcomers can be increased without increasing the tank radius. This allows the shear energy of the slurry feeder to be increased.

[0048] Two or more of the downcomers may include a first downcomer 110 located a first distance r1 from the center 202. The first distance can be equal or substantially equal for each sector, such that the first downcomers in each sector are positioned along a first circle 112 about the center. Alternatively, the first distance can be different for any or all of the first downcomers, allowing the first downcomers to be dispersed around the tank while still being positioned within their respective sectors. The first downcomers can be equidistantly spaced about the center. The distance between two adjacent first downcomers can be represented by an inner arc length 114. In one embodiment, the inner arc lengths of all pairs of adjacent first downcomers are the same.

[0049] Two or more of the downcomers may include a second downcomer 120 located a second distance r2 from the center 202. The second distance may be equal or substantially equal for each sector, such that the second downcomers in each sector are positioned along a second circle 122 about the center. Thus, the first and second circles may be concentric. Alternatively, the second distance may be different for any or all of the second downcomers, allowing the second downcomers to be dispersed around the tank while still being positioned within their respective sectors. The second downcomers may be equidistantly spaced about the center. The distance between two adjacent second downcomers may be represented by an outer arc length 124. In one embodiment, the outer arc lengths of all pairs of adjacent second downcomers are the same.

[0050] The second distance may be greater than the first distance, and the outer arc length may be greater than the first arc length. In particular, the second distance may be 150-200%, such as 170%, of the first distance, and the outer arc length may be 150-200%, such as 170%, of the inner arc length.

[0051] The apparatus 100 can be arranged to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 to the first downcomer 110 as a first partial slurry flow 210, and to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 to the second downcomer 120 as a second partial slurry flow 220. The apparatus can be arranged so that the first partial slurry flows are substantially the same. The apparatus can be arranged so that the second partial slurry flows are substantially the same. The apparatus can be arranged so that the second partial slurry flow is greater than the first partial slurry flow. Any or all of the first downcomers can have a first diameter d1, which can be the same for all first downcomers. Alternatively, the first diameter d1 can vary for any or all of the first downcomers. The first diameter can remain constant along the length of the first downcomers. Any or all of the second downcomers can have a second diameter d2, which can be the same for all second downcomers. Alternatively, the second diameter d2 can vary for any or all of the second downcomers. The second diameter can remain constant along the length of the second downcomers. The first diameter and the second diameter can be understood as defining the width of the slurry flow path of the first downcomer and the second downcomer, respectively. In one embodiment, the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, for example, 2 to 3 times larger, and particularly 250% of the first diameter. This difference in diameter also allows the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to be ejected from the first downcomer and the second downcomer at different pressures, thereby enabling the flotation of particles of different sizes. Alternatively, the second diameter can be less than or equal to the first diameter.

[0052] Two or more of the downcomers may include one or more additional downcomers, such as a third downcomer 250 disposed at a third distance r3 from the center 202. The third distance may be greater than the second distance r2. The apparatus 100 may be arranged to supply a portion of the input slurry flow 200 as a third partial slurry flow to the third downcomers. Any or all of the third downcomers may have a third diameter d3, which may be the same for all third downcomers. Alternatively, the diameter may be different for any or all of the third downcomers. The third diameter may remain constant along the length of the third downcomer. In one embodiment, the third diameter is greater than the second diameter and / or the first diameter.

[0053] The multiple downcomers may be of the same length. Alternatively, any one or all of the downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the first downcomers are all of the same length. Alternatively, any one or all of the first downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the second downcomers are all of the same length. Alternatively, any one or all of the second downcomers may have different lengths. In some embodiments, the third downcomers are all of the same length. Alternatively, any one or all of the third downcomers may have different lengths. For any one or all sectors, the first downcomer may be the same length as the second downcomer and / or the third downcomer. Additionally, for any one or all sectors, the first downcomer may be of a different length than the second downcomer and / or the third downcomer.

[0054] The downcomers may be positioned rotationally symmetrically about the aforementioned center. This may involve a plurality of downcomers, or in particular all downcomers connected to the tank and / or to the slurry supply line, to which slurry is supplied from the input slurry flow. Alternatively, it may involve only the first downcomer 110 and / or the second downcomer 120. When n is the number of sectors, the positioning may have n-fold and / or n / 2-fold rotational symmetry. The aforementioned tank may also be rotationally symmetric. In some embodiments, any or all of the downcomers may be arranged rotationally asymmetrically, and optionally randomly, provided that each sector still includes two or more downcomers.

[0055] Any or all of the downcomers may include or be connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet 242, specifically for supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to the tank of the flotation cell. The outlet may be located at one end of the corresponding downcomer, such as the bottom. Any or all of the downcomers may include or be connected to a throttle valve 244 for limiting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet. The throttle valve allows the apparatus 100 to be operated so that the slurry-flotation gas mixture flows out of the throttled downcomer at a supersonic velocity. This, in turn, promotes agglomeration of solid particles and the flotation gas by breaking the flotation gas into smaller bubbles. Downcomers that can be operated to discharge the slurry-flotation gas mixture from the downcomer at a supersonic velocity may be referred to as "blast tubes."

[0056] In some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may not include a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet and a throttling valve for limiting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet. For example, in some embodiments, any one or all of the downcomers may be configured to operate only at subsonic slurry-flotation gas mixture flow rates. Such downcomers may be implemented as so-called "Jameson downcomers."

[0057] A "main conduit" may refer to an imaginary conduit extending parallel to one or more downcomers, such as any or all of the plurality of downcomers. Additionally or alternatively, the main conduit may refer to an imaginary axis of rotational symmetry about which the plurality of downcomers are positioned. Generally, the main conduit may or may not extend through the center (e.g., the center point) of the main conduit 140. According to any of the examples disclosed above, the rotationally symmetrically positioned downcomers may be arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to the main conduit. In this case, each such downcomer may include a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet 242 for supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture 240 to the tank of the flotation cell. The slurry-flotation gas mixture outlets of these downcomers may then be arranged in a first arrangement such that, when the plurality of downcomers rotate about the main conduit, a second arrangement of the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlets corresponds to the first arrangement. Throughout this specification, the "distance" of any or all downcomers from the center 202 may refer to the measurable length, particularly the shortest length, between the center and the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet of the downcomer.

[0058] The above discussion primarily focuses on the features of the slurry supply device. The following discussion will focus on features related to the flotation cell and flotation facility. The embodiments, definitions, details, and advantages described above with respect to the device 100 also apply, mutatis mutandis, to the solutions discussed below, and vice versa.

[0059] Figure 3 An example of a side view of a flotation cell 300 is depicted. The flotation cell may include the apparatus 100 according to any of the examples disclosed above.

[0060] The flotation cell 300 may include a tank 310 and be configured to supply the slurry-flotation gas mixture 200 to the tank. The center 202 may correspond to the central axis of the tank. It should be noted that the tank referred to in this disclosure may be of any shape, in particular the shapes described below. The tank may be asymmetric or symmetric, for example rotationally and / or radially asymmetric or rotationally and / or radially symmetric. It may be cylindrical. It may have a circular cross-section. However, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the tank may be polygonal, such as rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, or pentagonal. The shape of the tank may be determined by one or more outer or inner walls of the tank. It should be noted that the "central axis" in this disclosure may refer to the central axis of a symmetrical structure or the central axis of a symmetrical or asymmetric structure. The central axis may be understood to correspond to the central axis passing through the center of the structure or its cross-section.

[0061] The tank 310 may include a launder 320, which may include a launder lip 322. The flotation cell may be arranged to direct the input slurry flow 200 from below the launder lip into the slurry supply conduit or main conduit 140 during operation of the flotation cell. In some embodiments, the flotation cell may be arranged to direct the input slurry flow from above the launder lip into the slurry supply conduit or main conduit 140 during operation of the flotation cell.

[0062] The wash trough 320 can be any type of wash trough, particularly radial wash troughs, annular wash troughs, or central wash troughs. It can be located around the perimeter of the tank 310, or, as shown, the tank 310 can include a central wash trough 324. The flotation cell 300 can be configured such that during operation of the flotation cell, collected overflow is first conveyed from the wash trough 320 to the central wash trough 324 via the wash trough lip 322, and then further conveyed from the central wash trough 324 out of the flotation cell. Any suitable overflow collection device can be provided within the tank, for example, one or more wash troughs, such as a central wash trough; one or more radial wash troughs; and / or peripheral wash troughs, such as an outer peripheral wash trough or an inner peripheral wash trough.

[0063] The flotation cell 300 may include a flotation gas supply 330 for supplying flotation gas 230 to the plurality of downcomers of the slurry supply device 100. The flotation gas supply 330 may be configured to supply flotation gas at a higher pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure at the location of the flotation cell. This may allow for a higher flotation gas flow rate and / or the generation of smaller Sauter mean diameter flotation bubbles. Additionally or alternatively, this may also reduce the amount of surfactant (e.g., frother) used.

[0064] In other embodiments, a flotation cell may or may not include a flotation gas supply for supplying flotation gas to multiple downcomers of a slurry supply system of the flotation cell. For example, in some embodiments, any or all of the downcomers may be provided with one or more flotation gas inlets in fluid communication with the surrounding environment, such that flotation gas can be introduced into the downcomers in a self-aspirating manner due to the negative pressure conditions created in the downcomers. For example, such downcomers may be implemented as Jameson downcomers. In other embodiments, in which a flotation cell includes a flotation gas supply for supplying flotation gas to any or all of the downcomers of the slurry supply system of the flotation cell, the flotation gas supply may or may not be configured to supply flotation gas at a selected pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure at the location of the flotation cell. Generally, the flotation gas supply may be implemented in any suitable manner, such as, for example, as a compressed air flotation gas supply, a forced air flotation gas supply, or a self-aspirating flotation gas supply.

[0065] Although Figure 3 Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the tank 310 of the flotation unit may collect underflow in any suitable manner. For example, one or more slurry outlets may be arranged at the bottom portion (eg, the lower half) of the tank.

[0066] Although Figure 3 A single slurry supply device is shown in the tank, but according to any embodiment disclosed herein, the flotation cell may include two or more slurry supplies, such as three, four, or more. The two or more slurry supplies may be symmetrically arranged within the tank, such as with rotational symmetry. Each of the two or more slurry supplies or their respective centers 202 may be positioned symmetrically, particularly rotationally symmetrically, about a central axis of the tank. The tank may have a manifold, such as on the central axis of the tank, for supplying slurry to each of the two or more slurry supplies.

[0067] Figure 4 There is depicted a partial example of a flotation installation 400. The flotation installation comprises the flotation cells 300 disclosed above.

[0068] As used herein, a "facility" may refer to machinery suitable for or configured to operate an industrial process. Thus, a "flotation facility" may refer to a facility suitable for or configured to operate a flotation process. Generally speaking, a flotation facility may generally include any unit suitable for (or necessary for) flotation, and optionally any unit suitable for (or necessary for) pre-processing material prior to flotation and / or post-processing material after flotation.

[0069] The flotation facility 400 may include a comminution unit 410. It may also include a pre-classification unit 420 and / or a primary flotation unit 430. The comminution unit 410 may be configured to grind ore to form ground ore, mix the ground ore with a flotation liquid to form a raw slurry 412, and feed the raw slurry 412 forward, for example, to the pre-classification unit 420. The pre-classification unit 420 may be configured to classify the raw slurry 412 to form a coarser raw slurry portion 422 and a finer raw slurry portion 424, and feed the finer raw slurry portion 424 forward, for example, to the primary flotation unit 430. The primary flotation unit 430 may be configured to separate the finer raw slurry portion 424 to form an overflow 432 and an underflow 434, and feed the underflow forward, for example, to the flotation unit 300. The underflow may serve as the input slurry supply 200 of the slurry supply device 100 of the flotation unit. Additionally or alternatively, the flotation unit may be configured to provide an input slurry supply from one or more other sources, wherein the input slurry supply may still come from the comminution unit 410 .

[0070] In this specification, "comminution" refers to any process used to reduce the average particle size of a solid material. Thus, comminution can include crushing and / or grinding, among other things. In mineral processing, comminution is often used to separate valuable minerals from waste rock. Therefore, a "comminution unit" can refer to a unit adapted or configured to reduce the average particle size of a solid material. Generally, a comminution unit can be configured for dry grinding and / or wet grinding.

[0071] Furthermore, "classification" may refer to classifying solid particles in a slurry by size based on differences in the settling velocities of the solid particles in the slurry to form at least two, i.e., two, three, or more, slurry fractions. In practice, the slurry classification results in coarser particles in the slurry being preferentially separated into one or more coarser slurry fractions, while finer particles in the slurry are preferentially separated into one or more finer slurry fractions. Of course, a "classification device" may refer to a device in a flotation cell that is configured or adapted for slurry classification.

[0072] Here, "portion" may refer to a portion of a mixture that is separated from the mixture. Thus, a "slurry portion" may refer to a portion that contains slurry and results from slurry separation.

[0073] The above primarily describes the structural features of the slurry supply device, flotation cell, and flotation facility. The following will focus on the features of the method for installing the slurry supply device. The embodiments, definitions, details, and advantages described above in connection with the first, second, and third aspects also apply, mutatis mutandis, to the method aspects discussed below, and vice versa.

[0074] Figure 5A method 500 is shown that can be used to install a slurry supply. This can correspond to a new installation or a retrofit, where an existing slurry supply can first be partially or completely removed.

[0075] Method 500 may include, at step 510, providing a flotation cell tank, as described above. The method may also include, at step 520, providing a plurality of downcomers, such as those described above, for mixing flotation gas with slurry from an input slurry stream to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture to the flotation cell tank. The method may also include, at step 530, positioning the plurality of downcomers in a plurality of sectors around a center of the tank, such that each sector includes two or more downcomers at different distances from the center. The two or more downcomers may include a plurality of downcomers, or may include one or more pre-existing downcomers, such as when retrofitting the apparatus. Furthermore, the term "two or more downcomers" as used above with respect to apparatus 100 also applies here, such as with respect to their relative size and / or position.

[0076] Method 500 may include coupling a slurry supply conduit to a plurality of downcomers to supply slurry from an input slurry flow to the plurality of downcomers. The slurry supply conduit may include a main conduit, which may be pre-existing. The method may also include removing at least a portion of a pre-installed slurry supply apparatus configured to supply slurry to the tank. In particular, removing at least a portion of the pre-installed slurry supply apparatus may include disconnecting a previously used slurry supply conduit. Thus, the method may be implemented as a retrofit method, whereby an existing flotation cell tank is partially or fully equipped with a new slurry supply apparatus.

[0077] In this specification, a "process" may refer to a series of one or more steps leading to a result. Thus, a process may be a single-step process or a multi-step process. Furthermore, a process may be divided into multiple sub-processes, wherein each of the multiple sub-processes may or may not share common steps. As used herein, a "step" may refer to an action taken to achieve a predetermined result.

[0078] The different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and / or simultaneously.

[0079] Numerical descriptors such as "first," "second," "third," etc., used herein are intended only to distinguish between similarly named components. These numerical descriptors do not imply any particular order, such as order of preference, order of manufacture, or order of appearance in any particular structure.

[0080] The expression "plurality" and the like in this document indicate that the entities referred to are plural, i.e., the number of entities is two or more.

[0081] As technology advances, the basic idea of ​​the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above examples, but can be varied within the scope of the claims.

[0082] Although the subject matter of protection has been described in language with specific structural features and / or operations, it should be understood that the subject matter of protection defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or operations described above. On the contrary, the specific features and operations described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and operations are also within the scope of the claims.

[0083] It should be understood that any benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or to several embodiments. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those that can solve any or all of the problems described, nor are they limited to those that have any or all of the benefits and advantages described.

[0084] The term "comprising" used in this specification means including the following features or operations, but does not exclude the existence of one or more additional features or operations. It should also be understood that "a" item refers to one or more items therein.

[0085] Reference to "any or all" objects includes the possibility that at least one or more objects are included.

Claims

1. A slurry supply device, characterized in that: A plurality of downcomers are provided for mixing flotation gas (230) with slurry from an input slurry stream (200) to form a slurry-flotation gas mixture, and supplying the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) to a tank of a flotation cell, wherein the plurality of downcomers are positioned in a plurality of sectors (130) around a center (202), each of the sectors including two or more downcomers (110, 120) of the plurality of downcomers, the two or more downcomers being located at different distances from the center.

2. The slurry supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two or more of the plurality of downcomers include a first downcomer (110) at a first distance (r1) from the center and a second downcomer (120) at a second distance (r2) from the center, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

3. The slurry supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second distance (r2) is 150-200% of the first distance (r1).

4. The slurry supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first downcomer (110) has a first diameter (d1), and the second downcomer (120) has a second diameter (d2), and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

5. The slurry supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first downcomer (110) has a first diameter (d1), and the second downcomer (120) has a second diameter (d2), and the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

6. The slurry supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: Two or more of the plurality of downcomers further include a third downcomer (250) at a third distance (r3) from the center, the third distance (r3) being greater than the second distance (r2).

7. The slurry supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The plurality of downcomers are positioned rotationally symmetrically about the center (202).

8. The slurry supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Each downcomer of the plurality of downcomers includes or is connected to a slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet (242) and a throttle valve (244) for limiting the flow of the slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) through the slurry-flotation gas mixture outlet.

9. The slurry supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The number of the sectors (130) is four or more.

10. A flotation cell, characterized in that: The flotation cell comprises a tank (310) and one or more slurry supply devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for supplying a slurry-flotation gas mixture (240) into the tank.

11. The flotation cell according to claim 10, wherein The center (202) corresponds to the central axis of the tank.

12. The flotation cell according to claim 10, wherein The one or more slurry feeders (100) include two or more slurry feeders for feeding slurry-flotation gas mixture into the tank.

13. The flotation cell according to claim 12, wherein The two or more slurry supply devices (100) are positioned rotationally symmetrically around the central axis of the tank.

14. A flotation facility, characterized in that: The flotation plant comprises one or more flotation cells according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

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