Glass steel copper-rich liquid oil separation tank
By designing a fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator, and utilizing multiple oil separator modules and a pumping system, the efficient and automatic separation of copper-rich liquid and kerosene is achieved. This solves the problems of unstable electrolytic copper quality and acid mist pollution, reduces manual processing costs, and improves production stability and environmental protection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANHUI PENGTAI ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION EQUIP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the back-extraction section cannot achieve absolute separation of kerosene and copper-rich solution, resulting in residual kerosene in the copper-rich solution. This leads to problems such as unstable electrolytic copper quality, severe acid mist pollution, and high manual processing costs.
A fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator is designed, employing multiple oil separation modules and a pumping system. Combined with an oil collection box, a culvert, an oil drain, and an oil transfer pool, a fully automatic oil collection system is constructed. The system utilizes the density difference between oil and water to achieve oil-water separation, and accelerates the floating of tiny oil droplets through the pumping system, thus achieving efficient and automatic separation.
It achieves efficient and automatic separation of copper-rich liquid and kerosene, reduces the problem of unstable quality of electrolytic copper, avoids acid mist pollution, reduces the need for manual handling, and reduces the labor intensity and cost of operators.
Smart Images
Figure CN224531071U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oil separator technology, specifically a fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of hydrometallurgical copper production in the mining industry, "extraction-back-extraction-electrowinning" is the core process link for converting low-concentration copper-containing raw materials into high-purity cathode copper. Among them, the extraction and back-extraction stages are key steps that determine the copper ion extraction efficiency and the quality of subsequent products. Taking a certain phase of engineering construction project as an example, its extraction section 1 and extraction section 2 are designed to produce 150,000 tons of hydrometallurgical cathode copper annually. The production process of this project relies entirely on the above-mentioned core processes: First, copper-containing ore is leached to obtain a low-concentration copper-containing leachate. After the leachate enters the extraction section, aviation kerosene is used as the core extractant. Through liquid-liquid contact, copper ions are transferred from the aqueous phase (leachate) to the oil phase (kerosene), thus completing the initial enrichment of copper ions. Subsequently, the kerosene loaded with copper ions enters the back-extraction section. Under the action of the back-extraction agent, the copper ions are washed back into the aqueous phase, forming a high-concentration "copper-rich solution"—this copper-rich solution serves as the direct raw material for the subsequent electrodeposition workshop to produce cathode copper, and its purity directly determines the quality and production stability of the electrolytic copper products.
[0003] However, in actual production, the back-extraction section cannot achieve absolute separation of kerosene and copper-rich solution, resulting in a certain amount of kerosene (i.e., oil phase impurities) remaining in the copper-rich solution after back-extraction. The presence of this residual kerosene has multiple negative impacts on subsequent production processes. Furthermore, the copper-rich solution oil separator (2×24000×5000×2500mm) in the original design failed to meet the expected oil separation capacity, thus failing to effectively solve the oil-carrying problem in the copper-rich solution and further exacerbating the production bottleneck.
[0004] 1. Unstable quality of electrolytic copper: After residual kerosene is transported to the electrowinning workshop along with the copper-rich solution, it will adhere to the surface of the cathode plate in the electrolytic cell, hindering the directional deposition of copper ions on the cathode. This leads to defects such as pinholes and interlayers on the surface of the cathode copper, and at the same time, it destroys the uniformity of copper layer deposition, causing fluctuations in the purity of electrolytic copper and extremely unstable quality, making it difficult to meet the production requirements of high-quality cathode copper.
[0005] 2. Severe acid mist pollution: Kerosene mixed in copper-rich solution decomposes during electrowinning due to the combined effects of electric current and the high-temperature environment inside the electrolytic cell, producing a large amount of pungent acid mist. This acid mist not only creates a harsh operating environment in the electrowinning workshop, far exceeding the operators' tolerance for on-site operations, but also corrodes workshop equipment and causes environmental pollution when emitted to the outside world, failing to meet environmental protection production requirements.
[0006] 3. Reliance on manual processing, resulting in high costs and low efficiency: Since the original grease trap cannot automatically separate and recover oil, operators must frequently clean the grease trap manually to avoid excessive oil content in the copper-rich solution affecting production. This not only increases the labor intensity of operators but also incurs additional labor costs. More importantly, manual cleaning is prone to delays, easily leading to oil accumulation in the trap, further reducing the grease trapping effect and creating a vicious cycle of "oil accumulation - delayed cleaning - excessive oil content".
[0007] In response to the production problems caused by residual kerosene in the copper-rich solution after extraction-back-extraction and the insufficient processing capacity of the original oil separator, the Production Technology Department of Luoyang Molybdenum Jinshan Mining Co., Ltd. in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after research and with the approval of the group company, plans to add one oil separator (2×37500×7500×2500mm) to each of the first and second extraction stages. This will achieve efficient and automatic separation of copper-rich solution and residual kerosene, completely replacing the manual processing in the original solution, eliminating acid mist pollution, stabilizing the quality of electrolytic copper, and reducing production costs and the labor intensity of operators. Based on this need, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of oil separator equipment that is compatible with the "extraction-back-extraction-electrowinning" process and can efficiently treat the oil contamination in copper-rich solution. Utility Model Content
[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0009] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator, comprising a tank body, with an inlet and an outlet at each end of the tank body, and multiple oil separator modules in the middle of the tank body, which divide the interior of the tank body into multiple interconnected chambers. Each oil separator module includes an oil separator plate and a water separator plate. The bottom of the water separator plate has a through hole, through which water flows through the gap between the oil separator plate and the water separator plate. An oil collection box is fixed to the front side of the oil separator plate, and the top of the oil collection box is flush with the top of the water separator plate. The bottom of the oil collection box is connected to an oil collection box outlet pipe, which is connected to a ditch at the bottom of the tank body. The inner wall of the tank body has multiple openings for discharging floating oil, and an oil drain trough is provided on the outside of the openings. The oil drain trough and the ditch are connected to an oil transfer pool next to the tank body.
[0010] Preferably, the culvert is located in the middle of the U-shaped trough, and the end of the culvert is provided with a culvert drain port, which is connected to the oil collection and transfer pool through a connecting oil pipe.
[0011] Preferably, the opening is located on the front side of the oil separator, close to the oil separator, and a liquid level regulating plate is installed in the middle of the oil drain trough. The side of the oil drain trough away from the opening is connected to an oil drain pipe, which is connected to the oil collection transfer tank.
[0012] Preferably, multiple oil pumps are installed on the outside of the oil collection and transfer tank to pump the oil in the oil collection and transfer tank to the guide channel of the back-extraction clarification chamber and mix it with the liquid coming out of the mixing chamber.
[0013] Preferably, a gas pumping system is installed in the chamber behind the first oil separator to deliver gas to the bottom of the chamber.
[0014] Preferably, the inner cavity of the tank is provided with reinforcing ribs, which enhance the structural strength of the tank without obstructing the passage of liquid.
[0015] Preferably, an oil-water separating plate support is provided between the oil separating plate and the water separating plate, and an upper support and a lower support of the oil collecting box are connected between the oil collecting box and the water separating plate, which are used to fix the upper and lower ends of the oil collecting box respectively.
[0016] Preferably, a cover plate is installed on the top of the tank, part of which is movable and can be easily opened.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0018] 1. This utility model designs a fully automatic oil collection system consisting of an oil collection box, a culvert, an oil drain trough, and an oil transfer tank. The floating oil phase can be introduced into the culvert through the oil collection box, or flow into the oil drain trough through the tank opening (the oil separator is equipped with three oil draining devices. Under normal working conditions, the DN150 oil draining channel is used. When there is too much floating oil in the tank, the DN200 oil draining channel is opened to remove the floating oil in the tank). Finally, it flows into the oil transfer tank through the connecting oil pipe and the oil draining pipe, and is then pumped back to the extraction tank for recycling by the oil pump.
[0019] The entire process eliminates the need for manual oil cleaning, completely replacing the manual handling steps in the original solution. This not only reduces the labor intensity of operators but also saves labor costs and avoids the problem of oil accumulation caused by untimely manual operation.
[0020] 2. This utility model constructs a multi-stage oil separation system through the combined design of "multi-stage oil separation modules and pumping system": multiple oil separation plates and water separation plates form independent chambers, forcing the copper-rich liquid to flow slowly through the gaps, and using the density difference between oil and water to achieve basic stratification; the pumping system in the chamber generates microbubbles through aeration, which can carry fine oil droplets to accelerate their rise. Compared with the original oil separation tank, the oil separation efficiency is improved, and the oil content of the copper-rich liquid after treatment is reduced.
[0021] After the low-oil-content copper-rich solution is transported to the electrowinning workshop, the interference of oil on the electrolysis process is avoided, which effectively solves the problem of unstable quality of electrolytic copper in the original solution and significantly improves the quality of electrolytic copper products.
[0022] 3. The tank body and core components such as oil separators, water separators, and pipes are all made of fiberglass. This material has excellent acid resistance and corrosion resistance, and can be adapted to the acidic environment of copper-rich liquids, avoiding the problems of easy corrosion and short life of the original metal materials. At the same time, the reinforcing ribs in the inner cavity of the tank and the supporting structures of each component (such as the support between the oil separators and water separators, and the support of the oil collection box) greatly enhance the overall structural strength of the equipment, prevent the tank body from deforming due to liquid impact or long-term use, and extend the service life of the equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a top view of the groove body in this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Sectional view at C_C;
[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;
[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Longitudinal sectional view at point A;
[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the oil collection and transfer tank and its structure.
[0028] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure for adding a cover plate to the top of the tank.
[0029] In the diagram: 1. Tank; 2. Inlet; 3. Outlet; 4. Oil separator; 5. Water separator; 6. Oil collection box; 7. Reinforcing rib; 8. Covered ditch; 9. Oil drain outlet of the covered ditch; 10. Upper support of the oil collection box; 11. Lower support of the oil collection box; 12. Outlet pipe of the oil collection box; 13. Support between the oil separator and water separator; 14. Oil drain trough; 15. Opening; 16. Liquid level regulating plate; 17. Oil drain pipe; 18. Pumping system; 19. Oil transfer tank; 20. Oil pump; 21. Connecting oil pipe; 22. Cover plate. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0031] The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator disclosed in this embodiment is mainly used for oil-water separation of copper-rich liquid in the extraction stages 1 and 2 of Luoyang Molybdenum Jinshan Mining Co., Ltd. in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This addresses the problems of insufficient oil separation capacity, high manual processing costs, unstable electrolytic copper quality, and acid mist pollution associated with the original oil separator. The specific structure and workflow of the equipment are as follows:
[0032] 1. Overall structure and installation of the tank
[0033] like Figure 1 The core component of this embodiment is the tank 1, which is made of fiberglass (corrosion resistant, high strength, and suitable for the acidic environment of copper-rich solution). It is U-shaped. The tank 1 has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3 at both ends: the inlet 2 is connected to the copper-rich solution conveying pipe of the extraction section and is used to introduce the oily copper-rich solution to be treated; the outlet 3 is connected to the feed pipe of the electrowinning workshop and is used to discharge the clean copper-rich solution after oil separation.
[0034] Multiple reinforcing ribs 7 are evenly arranged inside the tank body 1. The reinforcing ribs 7 are integrally formed of fiberglass and are arranged at intervals along the length of the tank body. This not only enhances the deformation resistance of the tank body 1, but also does not hinder the flow of liquid in the tank.
[0035] 2. Structure and assembly of the oil separator module
[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple oil-separating modules are installed along the length of tank 1 (the specific number can be adjusted according to the oil content of the copper-rich solution). Each oil-separating module divides the interior of tank 1 into multiple interconnected chambers, achieving "multi-stage oil separation" and improving separation efficiency. Each oil-separating module consists of the following components:
[0037] Oil separator 4 and water separator 5: The two are installed vertically in parallel. A circular through hole is opened at the bottom of the water separator 5 (to ensure that the water flows smoothly). The water flows in from the through hole at the bottom of the water separator 5 and flows slowly along the gap between the oil separator 4 and the water separator 5. The oil phase floats and the water phase sinks by using the "oil-water density difference".
[0038] Support structure: An oil-water separator support 13 is fixed between the oil separator 4 and the water separator 5 to prevent the two plates from deforming due to liquid impact; an oil collection box 6 is fixed to the front side of the oil separator 4 (in the direction of water flow), and the top of the oil collection box 6 is flush with the top of the water separator 5 (to ensure that the floating oil phase can flow into the oil collection box naturally), and the upper and lower ends of the oil collection box 6 are connected to the oil separator 4 through the upper support 10 and the lower support 11 of the oil collection box, respectively, to ensure the stability of the fixation.
[0039] 3. Composition and Connection of the Oil Collection System
[0040] This embodiment utilizes a multi-stage oil collection structure consisting of an oil collection box, a concealed ditch, an oil drain trough, and an oil transfer pool to achieve automatic collection and discharge of oil sludge without manual intervention.
[0041] 3.1 Connection between oil collection box and underground drain
[0042] refer to Figure 2 The bottom of the oil collection box 6 is connected to the oil collection box outlet pipe 12, and the end of the outlet pipe is connected to the dark ditch 8 opened at the bottom of the tank body 1. The dark ditch 8 is located in the middle of the U-shaped tank body 1, with a cross-sectional size of 500×500mm and a smooth interior to reduce oil residue.
[0043] Each end of the culvert 8 is equipped with a DN200mm pipe opening, which is connected to the oil collection transfer pool 19 next to the tank body 1 via the connecting oil pipe 21. The oil sludge collected in the culvert 8 flows into the oil collection transfer pool 19 by gravity.
[0044] 3.2 Connection between the oil drain tank and the oil collection transfer tank
[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, an opening 15 (with a height level with the top of the oil collection box 6) is opened on the inner side wall of the tank 1 near the front side of each oil separator 4, and the outer side of the opening 15 is connected to the oil drain trough 14.
[0046] A liquid level regulating plate 16 (the height of which can be finely adjusted via bolts) is installed in the middle of the oil drain tank 14 to control the liquid level in the tank—allowing only the oil phase to pass over the regulating plate and preventing the water phase from mixing in. An oil drain pipe 17 (150mm in diameter) is connected to the side of the oil drain tank 14 away from the opening 15. The end of the oil drain pipe 17 is connected to the oil collection transfer tank 19, enabling another route for oil collection. The oil separator is equipped with three oil draining devices. Under normal operating conditions, the DN150 oil draining channel is used. When there is excessive floating oil in the tank, the DN200 oil draining channel is opened to remove the floating oil.
[0047] 3.3 Subsequent treatment of oil collection and transfer tank
[0048] Two to three oil pumps 20 are installed on the outside of the oil collection and transfer tank 19. The oil inlet pipe of the oil pump 20 is inserted into the bottom of the oil collection and transfer tank 19, and the oil outlet pipe is connected to the extraction tank. The collected oil sludge (mainly aviation kerosene) can be pumped back to the extraction section for recycling, reducing the cost of consumables (it is pumped to the back-extraction clarification chamber guide trough and mixed with the liquid coming out of the mixing chamber, which is equivalent to sending it to the front for closed-loop recycling).
[0049] 4. Installation and function of the air pump system
[0050] In the chamber behind the first baffle plate 5, a pumping system 18 is installed. This system includes an air compressor, air pipes, and aeration heads (evenly arranged at the bottom of the chamber).
[0051] During operation, the air compressor delivers compressed air to the bottom of the chamber through the air pipe, and the aeration head generates tiny bubbles. As the bubbles rise, they carry tiny oil droplets from the copper-rich liquid, accelerating the oil phase to float to the surface and improving the separation efficiency of the oil separation module for tiny oil droplets (compared to the pumpless structure, the oil separation efficiency is improved).
[0052] 5. Installation and function of the cover plate
[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the top of the tank 1 is fixed with a cover plate 22 by bolts. The cover plate 22 is made of fiberglass and comes in two types: fixed and movable.
[0054] A fixed cover plate covers most of the tank body 1 to isolate external dust and prevent the copper-rich liquid from evaporating;
[0055] The movable cover is located above the oil separator module and the inspection port of the underground ditch. It can be opened manually for convenient daily inspection of the oil separator effect, cleaning of residual oil in the tank and maintenance of parts.
[0056] 6. Equipment Workflow
[0057] Copper-rich solution introduction: The oil-containing copper-rich solution enters the first chamber of the U-shaped tank 1 from the inlet 2, and the flow rate is controlled at 0.5m / s (to ensure sufficient oil-water separation).
[0058] Multi-stage oil separation and oil phase collection:
[0059] The copper-rich liquid enters the gap between the oil-separating plate 4 and the water-separating plate 5 through the through hole at the bottom of the water-separating plate 5. The oil phase, due to its low density, floats to the liquid surface and flows into the oil collection box 6, and then enters the dark ditch 8 through the oil collection box outlet pipe 12.
[0060] Some of the oil phase that is not collected by the oil collection box 6 flows into the oil discharge tank 14 through the opening 15 on the side wall of the tank. After being controlled by the liquid level regulating plate 16, it is introduced into the oil collection transfer tank 19 through the oil discharge pipe 17.
[0061] The pumping system 18 in the first chamber continuously aerates the air, accelerating the rise of tiny oil droplets and improving the separation effect.
[0062] Clean liquid export: The copper-rich liquid, after being treated by multiple oil separation modules, flows along the U-shaped tank to the drain outlet 3 and is then transported to the electrowinning workshop for electrolytic copper production.
[0063] Oil sludge recovery: Once the oil sludge in the oil collection and transfer tank 19 reaches a certain level, the oil pump 20 is started to pump the oil sludge back to the extraction tank for recycling.
[0064] The oil separator in this embodiment requires no manual intervention, has high oil separation efficiency, can effectively reduce the oil content of copper-rich liquid, stabilize the quality of electrolytic copper, and at the same time avoid acid mist pollution caused by kerosene volatilization, improve the operating environment, and is fully adapted to the electrolytic copper production capacity demand of 150,000 tons / year.
[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator, comprising a tank body (1), characterized in that: The tank (1) is provided with an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) at both ends. The tank (1) is provided with multiple oil separation modules in the middle. The oil separation modules divide the interior of the tank (1) into multiple interconnected chambers. The oil separation modules include an oil separation plate (4) and a water separation plate (5). The bottom of the water separation plate (5) is provided with a through hole. Water flows through the gap between the oil separation plate (4) and the water separation plate (5) through the through hole. An oil collection box (6) is fixed on the front side of the oil separation plate (4). The top of the oil collection box (6) and the water separation plate (5) are flush. The bottom of the oil collection box (6) is connected to the oil collection box outlet pipe (12). The oil collection box outlet pipe (12) is connected to the dark ditch (8) provided at the bottom of the tank (1). The inner wall of the tank (1) is provided with multiple openings (15) for discharging floating oil. An oil drain trough (14) is provided on the outside of the openings (15). The oil drain trough (14) and the dark ditch (8) are connected to the oil transfer pool (19) next to the tank (1).
2. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culvert (8) is located in the middle of the U-shaped trough (1). The end of the culvert (8) is provided with a culvert drain port (9) and is connected to the oil collection transfer pool (19) through a connecting oil pipe (21).
3. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening (15) is located on the front side of the oil separator (4) near the oil separator (4). A liquid level regulating plate (16) is set in the middle of the oil drain trough (14). The oil drain trough (14) is connected to the oil drain pipe (17) on the side away from the opening (15). The oil drain pipe (17) is connected to the oil collection transfer pool (19).
4. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple oil pumps (20) are installed on the outside of the oil collection transfer tank (19) to pump the oil in the oil collection transfer tank (19) to the guide channel of the back-extraction clarification chamber and mix with the liquid coming out of the mixing chamber.
5. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gas pumping system (18) is installed in the chamber behind the first oil separator (4) to deliver gas to the bottom of the chamber.
6. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner cavity of the tank (1) is provided with reinforcing ribs (7), which strengthen the structural strength of the tank (1) and do not obstruct the passage of liquid.
7. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: An oil-water separating plate (4) and a water separating plate (5) are provided with an oil-water separating plate support (13). An oil collecting box (6) and a water separating plate (5) are connected by an upper support (10) and a lower support (11), which are used to fix the upper and lower ends of the oil collecting box (6).
8. The fiberglass copper-rich liquid oil separator tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the tank (1) is fitted with a cover plate (22), part of which is movable.