Material grader
By introducing multiple air inlet pipes and a controllable sand-blocking screen into the hydraulic classifier, the problems of uneven particle size and low concentration in the hydraulic classifier were solved, achieving accuracy and uniformity in material classification and improving the recovery rate of mineral resources.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520453636.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydraulic classifiers suffer from uneven particle size and low concentration during the classification process, resulting in poor performance in subsequent separation operations and requiring additional concentration equipment to increase the concentration.
Multiple air inlet pipes are used as the upward power source. Combined with a controllable sand-blocking screen and an online detector, the material is classified by wind power. The screen size is adjusted step by step to achieve accurate classification, and the wind power is used to loosen the material to prevent blockage.
It achieves precise and uniform material classification, improves the recovery rate of sand products and the utilization rate of mineral resources, and has strong practicality.
Smart Images
Figure CN223931579U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of mineral processing equipment, specifically relating to a material classifier. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, hydraulic classifiers are commonly used in mineral processing plants to classify wet minerals with a particle size of less than 2mm. After the slurry passes through the top of the multi-chamber hydraulic classifier, a pressurized riser pipe is installed at the bottom of each classification chamber, generating an upward flow of water that lifts the material. Coarse minerals, due to gravity exceeding the lift of the water flow, settle in the first classification chamber closest to the inlet and are discharged from the bottom of the rectangular conical hopper. Gate valves regulate the discharge rate and concentration of the undersize. Finer-grained minerals, due to the upward force of the water flow exceeding gravity, float upward and are discharged from the top of the hydraulic classifier via an overflow trough to enter the next classification chamber for further classification. Because a large amount of rising water is added to each chamber as the power source for classification, the concentration of the undersize product in each chamber decreases progressively after classification. If the concentration falls below the minimum technical requirements for the next process, further concentration is necessary before proceeding to the next beneficiation stage; otherwise, the insufficient concentration will affect the beneficiation effect of the next process. Furthermore, in hydraulic classification, each classification chamber has only one rising water pipe as its power source, resulting in a greater rising force in the central area and a smaller rising force in the surrounding areas. This leads to coarser particle sizes in the central area and finer particle sizes in the surrounding areas. Consequently, the sediment product from the same classification chamber may contain a mixture of coarse and fine particles. A wide and severely uneven particle size distribution, as well as excessively low concentration, in the graded product from the same chamber will negatively impact the sorting effect of subsequent sorting operations. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing classification equipment, requiring a material classifier to solve the aforementioned technical problems. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in existing technologies, this utility model provides a material classifier, comprising a classifier body; one end of the classifier body is provided with a feed pipe, and the other end of the classifier body is provided with an overflow pipe. The classifier body contains multiple parallel partitions, which divide the classifier body into multiple classification chambers along the direction from the feed pipe to the overflow pipe. Each classification chamber has a sand-blocking screen at its upper part, and the aperture of the screen holes on the corresponding sand-blocking screens of each classification chamber decreases sequentially. Each classification chamber is connected to a rectangular conical hopper at its lower part, and a discharge pipe is provided at the bottom of the rectangular conical hopper. Multiple vertical air inlet pipes are also provided inside the rectangular conical hopper, and each air inlet pipe is connected to a guide pipe. An automatic control switch is provided on the guide pipe, and the guide pipe is connected to an air storage tank, which is connected to an air compressor.
[0004] Preferably, the discharge pipe is equipped with an automatic control switch two and an online particle size analyzer, which is electrically connected to the automatic control switch one. The discharge end of the discharge pipe is connected to a receiving hopper, which is equipped with an online concentration analyzer, which is electrically connected to the control switch two. The bottom of the receiving hopper is connected to a sand settling pipe.
[0005] Preferably, the cross-section of the sand-blocking screen is a broken line shape.
[0006] Preferably, the length of the sand-blocking screen in the grading chamber is equal to half the length of the corresponding grading chamber, and it is set close to the feed end of the next grading chamber, that is, the sand-blocking screen is installed close to the downstream end of the slurry flow.
[0007] Preferably, the multiple air inlet pipes within the rectangular cone are evenly distributed.
[0008] Preferably, the grading chamber is provided with a glass observation window.
[0009] This utility model also includes other components that enable the normal operation of a material classifier, such as control components for controlling the feeding of the feed pipe (e.g., a feed pump), control components for automatic control switch one, control components for automatic control switch two, control components for the air compressor, control components for the online particle size analyzer, and control components for the online concentration analyzer, etc., all of which are conventional technical means in the art. Furthermore, devices or components not limited in this utility model, such as the air compressor, automatic control switch one, automatic control switch two, online concentration analyzer, and online particle size analyzer, all employ conventional technical means and conventional equipment in the art.
[0010] Working Principle: Multiple air inlets installed in rectangular conical hoppers at the bottom of each classification chamber serve as the upward power source. The upward flow of water into each classification chamber is controlled by adjusting the airflow within the inlets. Coarse minerals, due to their greater gravity than the upward force generated by the airflow, sink and are discharged from the discharge pipe of the rectangular conical hopper. Finer minerals, due to the upward force of the waterflow exceeding their own weight, float upward and flow through the gaps in the sand-blocking screen into the next classification chamber, repeating the above classification operation. Overflow water flows out through the overflow pipe installed at the upper end of the final classification chamber. Because each classification chamber is equipped with an air inlet, and the airflow of the air inlet is controllable, no additional water needs to be added to the classification chamber. In addition, the aperture of the sand-blocking screens in each grading chamber decreases sequentially along the material flow direction, allowing for control of the sediment particle size range using different screen apertures. Each grading chamber can strictly control the particle size range, ensuring precise grading. The aperture specifications of the blocking screens can be adjusted according to process requirements to achieve narrow-level sorting. After grading, the sediment is distributed from coarsest to finest from the first chamber to the last. Furthermore, multiple air ducts along the vertical plane generate a uniform upward airflow, resulting in a uniform upward water flow lift. Compared to traditional hydraulic grading boxes where each chamber uses a single upward water pipe as a power source, resulting in a higher lift in the center and lower lift around the edges, leading to a mixture of coarse and fine sediment after grading, the air duct grading method is more precise and uniform. Simultaneously, the rising water generated by the airflow tumbles the material on the screen, loosens it, cleans the screen apertures, and prevents clogging. The upward airflow can be increased periodically to flush down material stuck on the sand-blocking screens, preventing screen clogging.
[0011] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: reasonable structure, simple operation compared with the prior art, no need to add water again, more precise control of the concentration and particle size of the settled sand, and narrower particle size classification makes the settled sand product more uniform, which can improve the recovery rate of useful minerals and the utilization rate of mineral resources, and has strong practicality. Attached Figure Description
[0012] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a material classifier according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view of the medium-resistance sand screen.
[0015] In the diagram: 1. Automatic control switch one; 2. Air duct; 3. Sand-blocking screen; 4. Rectangular cone hopper; 5. Glass observation window; 6. Control switch two; 7. Online particle size analyzer; 8. Bracket; 9. Support; 10. Receiving hopper; 11. Online concentration analyzer; 12. First classification chamber; 13. Second classification chamber; 14. Third classification chamber; 15. Air inlet duct; 16. Overflow duct. Detailed Implementation
[0016] The present invention will now be clearly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This description is merely for explaining the present invention and is not intended to limit it. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort to obtain all other embodiments should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0017] Example
[0018] like Figure 1-2 As shown, this utility model provides a material classifier, including a classifier body; the classifier body is fixed on a support 9, one end of the classifier body is provided with a feed pipe, and the other end of the classifier body is provided with an overflow pipe. The classifier body is provided with two parallel partitions, which divide the classifier body into three classification chambers along the direction from the feed pipe to the overflow pipe 16, i.e., the material flow direction: a first classification chamber 12, a second classification chamber 13, and a third classification chamber 14. A sand-blocking screen 3 is installed on the upper part of each classification chamber via a bracket 8. Each classification chamber corresponds to... The screen mesh 3 has progressively smaller apertures, namely 1.5mm, 1mm, and 0.5mm. Each grading chamber is connected to a rectangular conical hopper 4 at its lower part. The bottom of each rectangular conical hopper 4 has a discharge pipe. Multiple vertical air inlet pipes 15 of uniform height are also installed inside each rectangular conical hopper 4. The diameter of each air inlet pipe 15 is DN20mm. Each air inlet pipe 15 of each grading chamber is connected to a different air guide pipe 2, with a diameter of DN80mm. Each air guide pipe 2 is equipped with an automatic control switch 1. Each air guide pipe 2 is connected to a 1m³ volume... 3 The gas storage tank has a working pressure of 0.8 MPa and is connected to a 5m air supply unit. 3An air compressor with a flow rate of 0.8 MPa and a pressure of 0.8 MPa. Each classification chamber, together with the rectangular conical hopper 4, forms a three-chamber classification device measuring 2.4 meters long, 0.8 meters wide, and 1.6 meters high. During classification, fine particles flow to the next classification chamber (a finer classification chamber) due to the lift of the rising water flow exceeding its own weight. Simultaneously, the air inlet pipe 15 generates a certain number of bubbles, which act as carriers for the fine particles, flowing to the next finer classification chamber. The sand-blocking screen blocks coarser materials, preventing them from entering the next classification chamber with the water flow. The classification effect can be observed through the glass observation window 5. The water flow carries the fine materials through the sand-blocking screen holes into the rectangular conical hopper 4 of the second classification chamber 13 for further classification. The material undergoes a repeat of the previous process for classification, resulting in the discharge of finer sediment. As the number of classification chambers increases, so does the number of classification cycles. The sediment at the bottom of the classification chambers flows out in the order of coarse, medium, fine, and ultrafine, following the material flow direction. Overflow water flows out through the overflow pipe 16 installed at the upper end of the last classification chamber. Multiple sets of evenly distributed air inlet pipes 15 installed vertically upwards generate a uniform upward force, reducing the mixing of coarse and fine materials within the same classification chamber and resulting in more uniform particle size distribution of the settled sand compared to hydraulic classification.
[0019] The discharge pipe is equipped with an automatic control switch 6 and an online particle size analyzer 7 (model BT-online2, wet online laser particle size monitoring and control system, particle size detection range 0.02~2000um). The online particle size analyzer 7 is electrically connected to the automatic control switch 1. Adjusting the automatic control switch 1 on the air duct 2 until a suitable upward water flow is generated ensures that the particle size range of the discharged sand meets the process requirements. The discharge end of the discharge pipe is connected to a receiving hopper 10. The receiving hopper 10 is equipped with an online concentration analyzer 11 (model GB-CMR tuning fork concentration meter, concentration detection range 0~60%). The online concentration analyzer 11 is electrically connected to the control switch 6. By controlling the switch 6, the sand concentration can be made to meet the process requirements. The bottom of the receiving hopper 10 is connected to a sand settling pipe.
[0020] The cross-section of the sand-blocking screen 3 is zigzag-shaped. This slows down the flow rate of the slurry in the classification chamber, prolongs the classification time in each chamber, further improves the accuracy of classification, and prevents larger particles from flowing into the next classification chamber with the water flow.
[0021] The length of the sand-blocking screen in the classification chamber is equal to half the length of the corresponding classification chamber, and it is set close to the feed end of the next classification chamber. This means the sand-blocking screen is installed close to the downstream end of the slurry flow. This prevents the slurry from directly entering the screen, facilitates the classification and settling of coarse particles larger than the screen openings within the classification chamber, and prevents these particles from clogging the screen openings or entering the next classification chamber.
[0022] The rectangular cone hopper 4 contains multiple air inlet pipes 15 that are evenly distributed.
[0023] The grading chamber is equipped with a glass observation window 5.
[0024] During operation, the materials to be sorted and water enter the first classification chamber 12 through the feed pipe. Multiple air inlet pipes 15 installed in the rectangular cone hopper 4 at the bottom of each classification chamber serve as the upward power source. The upward flow of water into each classification chamber is controlled by adjusting the airflow within the air inlet pipes 15. Coarse minerals, due to their greater gravity than the upward force generated by the air inlet pipes 15, sink and are discharged from the discharge pipe of the rectangular cone hopper 4. Finer minerals, due to the upward force of the water flow exceeding their own weight, float upward and flow through the gaps in the sand-blocking screen into the next classification chamber, repeating the sorting operation. Overflow water flows out through the overflow pipe 16 at the upper end of the last chamber. Because each classification chamber is equipped with air inlet pipes 15, and the airflow of the air inlet pipes 15 is controllable, no additional water needs to be added to the classification chamber. Traditional hydraulic classifiers, however, rely on adding rising water to generate lift for material classification, which reduces the concentration of the classified materials, necessitating the addition of concentration equipment to increase the concentration. In addition, the screen openings of the sand-blocking screens 3 in each grading chamber decrease in size sequentially along the material flow direction, and the screen openings are arranged from large to small. For example, if screens with screen openings of 1.5mm, 1mm, and 0.5mm are installed for grading, the sand particle size range of the first grading chamber 12 is -2mm to +1.5mm, the sand particle size range of the second grading chamber 13 is -1.5mm to +1mm, and the sand particle size range of the third grading chamber 14 is below -0.5mm. This system uses different sieve openings to control the particle size range of the settled sand. Each classification chamber can strictly control the particle size range, resulting in precise classification. The sieve opening size can be adjusted according to the process requirements to achieve narrow-level sorting. After classification, the sediment is distributed from the coarsest to the finest in the first classification chamber 12 to the third classification chamber 14. Multiple air ducts along the vertical plane can generate a uniform upward airflow, thus producing a uniform upward water flow lift. Compared to traditional hydraulic classification boxes where each chamber uses a single upward water pipe as a power source, resulting in a larger lift in the middle and a smaller lift around the edges, leading to a mixture of coarse and fine sediment after classification, the use of air inlet pipes 15 results in more precise and uniform classification. Each set of air inlet pipes 15 is connected to an air guide pipe 2 with an independent automatic control switch 1, controlled or set by an online particle size analyzer 7. This ensures that the generated upward water flow lift along the vertical plane meets the requirements, preventing the mixture of coarse and fine materials in the same classification chamber, resulting in a narrower particle size range in the classified products within the same chamber, and a more uniform particle size than hydraulic classification. Simultaneously, the rising water generated by the wind tumbles and loosens the material on the screen, cleans the screen holes, and prevents clogging. The rising airflow can be increased periodically to flush down material retained on the sand-blocking screen 3, preventing screen clogging. The concentration of the settled sand in the same grading chamber is controlled by an online concentration detector 11 (model GB-CMR tuning fork concentration meter, concentration detection range 0-60%), which controls the automatic sand control switch 2 6 to ensure the settled sand concentration meets process requirements.
[0025] The embodiments of this utility model have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A material classifier, comprising a classifier body; characterized in that: The classifier body has a feed pipe at one end and an overflow pipe at the other end. Multiple parallel baffles are installed inside the classifier body, dividing it into multiple classification chambers along the direction from the feed pipe to the overflow pipe. Each classification chamber has a sand-blocking screen at its upper part, with the aperture of the screen holes decreasing sequentially for each chamber. A rectangular conical hopper is connected to the lower part of each classification chamber, and a discharge pipe is installed at the bottom of the hopper. Multiple vertical air inlets are also installed inside the hopper, connected to air guide pipes. An automatic control switch is installed on the air guide pipes, which are connected to an air storage tank, which is connected to an air compressor.
2. A material classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge pipe is equipped with an automatic control switch two and an online particle size analyzer. The online particle size analyzer is electrically connected to the automatic control switch one. The discharge end of the discharge pipe is connected to a receiving hopper. The receiving hopper is equipped with an online concentration analyzer. The online concentration analyzer is electrically connected to the control switch two. The bottom of the receiving hopper is connected to a sand settling pipe.
3. A material classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the sand-blocking screen is a broken line shape.
4. A material classifier according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length of the sand-blocking screen in the grading chamber is equal to half the length of the corresponding grading chamber, and it is set close to the feed end of the next grading chamber.
5. A material classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectangular cone contains multiple evenly distributed air inlet pipes.
6. A material classifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grading chamber is equipped with a glass observation window.