A step-diffused flotation column based on a microbubble generator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of ladder diffusion formula flotation column based on microbubble generator, belong to mineral processing equipment technical field, including upper bin column and coaxially fixedly connected lower bin column below upper bin column, the cross section of upper bin column is greater than the cross section of lower bin column, upper bin column is equipped with ore pipe and foam overflow outlet, lower bin column is equipped with tailing pipe, flotation column further include the stirring mechanism of being fixed in the top of upper bin column and be arranged in the air inlet mechanism of flotation column, stirring mechanism includes motor, transmission rod, gear, stirring rod and be arranged in the fan blade of ladder, air inlet mechanism includes annular air pipe being arranged in upper bin column and vertical air pipe being arranged in lower bin column.The utility model constructs partition flow field by ladder type column structure, lower bin column high speed area is conducive to coarse particle suspension, upper bin column stable area is conducive to fine particle adhesion, while stirring mechanism prevents deposition at ladder, solve the problem of low recovery rate of wide size fraction mineral, realize efficient separation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mineral processing equipment technology, and in particular to a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator. Background Technology

[0002] Flotation is an important step in the mineral processing industry, used to separate useful minerals from gangue. The flotation column, as the key equipment for achieving flotation separation, generates an upward flow of microbubbles within the column that comes into countercurrent contact with the downward flow of slurry. This causes hydrophobic target mineral particles to adhere to the bubbles, forming mineralized bubbles that float to the surface and overflow, while hydrophilic gangue settles and is discharged, thus achieving separation.

[0003] The existing conventional flotation column is designed as a cylindrical structure with equal cross-sections at the top and bottom. This structure results in a relatively simple fluid dynamic environment inside the column. However, in actual production, the slurry to be processed contains mineral particles with a wide particle size distribution. The optimal requirements for the flow field environment of coarse and fine minerals are different and even contradictory. If the flow rate inside the column is adjusted to be lower in order to accommodate the adhesion of fine minerals, although it is conducive to the full mineralization of fine minerals, the heavier and coarser mineral particles will settle too quickly due to gravity before they can fully interact with the bubbles due to insufficient fluid lifting force, and will eventually be discharged from the tailings pipe, resulting in a low recovery rate of coarse minerals.

[0004] If the flow rate inside the column is increased to enhance the suspension of coarse minerals, it can effectively prevent coarse particles from settling. However, an excessively fast flow rate will cause fine mineral particles to have too short a residence time in the flotation column, resulting in a "short circuit" phenomenon. This reduces the probability of fine minerals colliding and adhering to air bubbles, which in turn leads to a decrease in recovery rate.

[0005] The single flow field environment of existing constant cross-section flotation columns makes it difficult to take into account the optimal flotation kinetics conditions for minerals of different particle sizes, which limits the overall recovery rate when processing wide-particle-size ores. Therefore, this invention proposes a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator to solve the shortcomings of the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problem that the existing step diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator has a single flow field environment and is difficult to simultaneously take into account the suspension of coarse minerals and the adhesion of fine minerals, resulting in a low overall recovery rate of wide-particle-size minerals, this utility model aims to provide a step diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator with an improved structure that can effectively solve the above problems.

[0007] This utility model provides a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator, comprising: an upper column and a lower column coaxially fixedly connected below the upper column, the cross-section of the upper column being larger than that of the lower column, a feed pipe and a foam overflow outlet fixedly connected to the side wall of the upper column, and a tailings pipe fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower column; as well as a fixing plate fixed to the top of the upper column, a stirring mechanism disposed within the upper column, and an air inlet mechanism disposed within the flotation column.

[0008] The stirring mechanism includes a motor, transmission rod, gear, stirring rod, and three fan blades fixed on a fixed plate. The air intake mechanism includes an annular air pipe installed in the upper chamber column and a vertical air pipe installed in the lower chamber column.

[0009] Furthermore, the motor, the transmission rod, the gear, and the stirring rod are combined in the following manner: the output shaft of the motor is connected to the transmission rod, the transmission rod is meshed with the gear, the gear is fixed to the upper end of the stirring rod, and the lower end of the stirring rod is fixed with the three fan blades, which extend above the connection between the upper chamber column and the lower chamber column.

[0010] Preferably, the stirring mechanism further includes a support plate, a first bearing, a second bearing, and four fixed rods; the transmission rod is rotatably mounted on the support plate via the first bearing, and the support plate is fixed to the top of the upper column; the stirring rod is rotatably connected via the second bearing, and the second bearing is fixed to the inner wall of the upper column via the fixed rods.

[0011] Preferably, there are four fixing rods, which are radially and evenly distributed around the bearing.

[0012] Preferably, the three fan blades are evenly distributed circumferentially around the lower end of the stirring rod.

[0013] Preferably, the air intake mechanism further includes an air intake pipe one and an air intake pipe two; one end of the air intake pipe one passes through the side wall of the upper chamber column and communicates with the annular air pipe; one end of the air intake pipe two passes through the side wall of the lower chamber column and communicates with the vertical air pipe.

[0014] Preferably, the feed pipe is located above the middle left side of the upper silo column, and the foam overflow outlet is located on the upper right side of the upper silo column.

[0015] Preferably, the annular air pipe is positioned above the step formed by the upper and lower chamber columns.

[0016] Preferably, the support plate is fixed below the fixed plate.

[0017] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. This utility model, by setting a stepped diffusion column structure with a narrower lower section and a wider upper section, creates a high-speed flow field in the lower column and a low-speed stable flow field in the upper column. This solves the technical problems of existing flotation columns, such as a single flow field, excessively fast settling of coarse particles, and short-circuiting of fine particles. It achieves the technical effect of simultaneously enhancing the suspension of coarse minerals and extending the residence time of fine minerals, and significantly improving the overall recovery rate of wide-particle-size minerals.

[0018] 2. This utility model solves the problem of dead flow angles at the cross-sectional changes of the stepped structure, which leads to mineral particle deposition and blockage, by setting a slowly rotating stirring mechanism fan blade above the stepped connection. It achieves the technical effect of gently stirring the slurry, preventing sedimentation, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the flotation column. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator proposed in this utility model; Figure 2 This is a front view of a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator proposed in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a top view of a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator proposed in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism in a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator, as proposed in this utility model.

[0020] Legend: 1. Upper bin column; 2. Lower bin column; 3. Agitator; 31. Motor; 32. Transmission rod; 33. Bearing 1; 34. Support plate; 35. Agitator rod; 36. Gear; 37. Bearing 2; 38. Fixing rod; 39. Fan blade; 4. Air intake mechanism; 41. Annular air pipe; 42. Air intake pipe 1; 43. Vertical air pipe; 44. Air intake pipe 2; 45. Feed pipe; 46. Foam overflow outlet; 47. Tailings pipe; 48. Fixing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0022] Example:

[0023] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4As shown, a stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator includes an upper column 1 and a lower column 2 coaxially fixedly connected below the upper column 1. The cross-section of the upper column 1 is larger than that of the lower column 2, thus forming a stepped column. A fixing plate 48 is fixedly connected to the top of the upper column 1, and a feed pipe 45 and a foam overflow outlet 46 are fixedly connected to the side wall of the upper column 1. A tailings pipe 47 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower column 2. The flotation column also includes a stirring mechanism 3 disposed in the upper column 1 and an air inlet mechanism 4 disposed in the flotation column. The stirring mechanism 3 includes... A motor 31 is fixed on a fixed plate 48. The output shaft of the motor 31 is connected to a transmission rod 32. The transmission rod 32 is meshed with a gear 36. The gear 36 is fixed to the upper end of a stirring rod 35. Three fan blades 39 are fixed to the lower end of the stirring rod 35. The three fan blades 39 extend to the connection between the upper column 1 and the lower column 2. The air intake mechanism 4 includes an annular air pipe 41 installed in the upper column 1 and a vertical air pipe 43 installed in the lower column 2. The upper column 1, the lower column 2, the stirring mechanism 3, and the air intake mechanism 4 together constitute the structure for realizing stepped diffusion flotation.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The stirring mechanism 3 ensures the stable rotation of the stirring rod 35 through a double support structure. Specifically, the stirring mechanism 3 includes a support plate 34 fixed above the fixed plate 48. The transmission rod 32 is rotatably mounted on the support plate 34 via a bearing 33. The stirring mechanism 3 also includes a bearing 37 and four fixed rods 38. The upper middle part of the stirring rod 35 is rotatably connected via the bearing 37. The bearing 37 is fixed to the inner wall of the upper chamber column 1 in a radially evenly distributed manner via the four fixed rods 38. This double support structure provides two stable points for the rotation of the stirring rod 35, ensuring that the stirring rod 35 does not shake excessively when stirring the slurry. Three fan blades 39 are evenly distributed circumferentially around the lower end of the stirring rod 35, ensuring uniform and slow agitation of the slurry above the step. The air intake mechanism 4 achieves precise aeration of different areas through graded air distribution. The air intake mechanism 4 includes an air intake pipe 42 and an air intake pipe 44. One end of the air intake pipe 42 passes through the side wall of the upper column 1 and connects to the annular air pipe 41. One end of the air intake pipe 44 passes through the side wall of the lower column 2 and connects to the vertical air pipe 43. The vertical air pipe 43 is responsible for generating the main rising microbubble flow in the lower column 2, while the annular air pipe 41 provides secondary supplementary aeration of the slurry above the step formed by the upper column 1 and the lower column 2.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, to greatly improve the stability and reliability of the stirring mechanism 3 during long-term operation, its internal support structure is designed as a double support form. Specifically, the support plate 34 is fixed above the fixed plate 48, and the transmission rod 32 is rotatably mounted on the support plate 34 through the bearing 33, forming upper radial and axial positioning of the drive system. At the same time, in the upper middle part of the stirring rod 35, the stirring rod 35 is rotatably connected through the bearing 37. The outer ring of the bearing 37 is firmly fixed to the inner wall of the upper chamber column 1 by four fixing rods 38. The four fixing rods 38 are evenly distributed radially around the bearing 37, forming radial support for the middle part of the stirring rod 35. The synergistic effect of the upper support and the middle support effectively counteracts the lateral force generated when the slurry is stirred, preventing the stirring rod 35 from deflecting and vibrating. In addition, in order to achieve uniform and low-disturbance activation of the slurry at the step, three fan blades 39 fixed at the lower end of the stirring rod 35 are evenly distributed circumferentially around the lower end of the stirring rod 35 to ensure full coverage of the stirring range.

[0026] As another preferred implementation, to establish the most efficient mineralization environment and the smoothest material flow path, the spatial layout of the air intake mechanism 4 and each pipeline is precisely optimized. Specifically, the air intake mechanism 4 includes an air intake pipe 42 and an air intake pipe 44 connected to an external air source. One end of the air intake pipe 42 passes through the side wall of the upper column 1 and connects to the annular air pipe 41, while one end of the air intake pipe 44 passes through the side wall of the lower column 2 and connects to the vertical air pipe 43. This dual-supply design achieves functional zoning, with the vertical air pipe 43 responsible for... The main microbubble flow is generated, and the annular air pipe 41 is precisely positioned above the step formed by the upper chamber column 1 and the lower chamber column 2. Its function is to provide secondary supplementary aeration in the critical zone of slurry flow rate change, thereby enhancing the collection of fine minerals. In the material flow path, the feed pipe 45 is located above the middle left side of the upper chamber column 1, while the foam overflow outlet 46 is located on the upper right side of the upper chamber column 1. This asymmetrical diagonal layout helps to form a longer slurry flow path in the flotation column, thus extending the residence time of the slurry.

[0027] Working principle: After the slurry and flotation agent are mixed, they enter the upper column 1 through the feed pipe 45 and begin to flow downward under the action of gravity. At the same time, external air enters through two paths in the air intake mechanism 4: air intake pipe 1 42 and air intake pipe 2 44. Air intake pipe 2 44 is connected to the vertical air pipe 43 set inside the lower column 2. The vertical air pipe 43 releases a large amount of diffuse main microbubble flow in the lower area. Air intake pipe 1 42 is connected to the annular air pipe 41 set at the lower step of the upper column 1. The annular air pipe 41 releases supplementary microbubbles. The downward flowing slurry flow and the rising microbubble flow released from the vertical air pipe 43 and the annular air pipe 41 form a full countercurrent contact in the entire column. During the contact process, the target mineral particles with hydrophobic surfaces after being treated with the reagent will overcome the water film resistance and selectively attach to the surface of the microbubbles to form mineralized bubbles, while the gangue particles with hydrophilic surfaces do not attach to the bubbles. The separation function of this invention is based on the flow field zoning achieved by the stepped column structure. Inside the lower column 2, due to the smaller cross-sectional area, the upward flow velocity formed by the microbubble clusters released from the vertical air pipe 43 is relatively high. This high-speed upward flow field, mixed with the slurry, creates a highly turbulent environment, providing sufficient turbulent energy and fluid lifting force for heavier, coarser mineral particles. This allows the coarse mineral particles to overcome their own gravity and remain in suspension, preventing them from settling too quickly and being discharged through the tailings pipe 47 before they are fully mineralized. This significantly extends the effective residence time of the coarse mineral particles in the flotation column, giving them ample opportunity to collide with the high-density rising microbubbles and achieve firm adsorption, thus significantly improving the recovery rate of coarse minerals. As the mixture of slurry and microbubble rises and diffuses into the upper column 1 with its larger cross-section, the fluid velocity slows down significantly due to the sudden increase in the flow cross-sectional area, creating a relatively stable flow field environment inside the upper column 1. This stable flow field environment is crucial for the recovery of fine mineral particles. Due to their small mass and low inertia, fine mineral particles are difficult to effectively collide with bubbles in a high-speed flow field. However, in a stable flow field, fine mineral particles obtain a longer residence time and milder kinetic conditions, which is conducive to the stable attachment of fine mineral particles to microbubbles. It can also effectively prevent the attached fine mineral particles from falling off the bubbles due to excessive fluid shear force. The secondary supplementary aeration performed by the annular air pipe 41 in this area further densifies the microbubble concentration and enhances the fine particle recovery effect. Throughout the flotation process, to address the pulp sedimentation problem caused by the stepped structure, the stirring mechanism 3 located at the top of the flotation column plays a crucial auxiliary role. The motor 31, fixed to the fixed plate 48, starts, driving the gear 36 via the transmission rod 32. The gear 36 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the stirring rod 35 and rotates the stirring rod 35. The stable rotation of the stirring rod 35 is ensured by bearing 1 33 and bearing 2 37. Bearing 1 33 supports the transmission rod 32 via the support plate 34, and bearing 2 37 is fixed to the inner wall of the upper chamber column 1 via four fixed rods 38 and supports the stirring rod 35. The three fan blades 39 fixedly connected to the lower end of the stirring rod 35 rotate slowly, extending above the connection between the upper chamber column 1 and the lower chamber column 2. The slurry near the step will be slowly agitated. This agitation is sufficient to prevent mineral particles from depositing and accumulating in this area, while not excessively disturbing the stable flow field in the upper column 1. This ensures the smoothness and uniformity of the slurry flow in the flotation column. Finally, all the mineralized bubbles with hydrophobic mineral particles attached to them will float to the surface because their total density is less than that of the slurry. They will pass through the slurry layer and gather in the foam area at the top of the upper column 1, forming a mineralized foam layer rich in the target mineral. The foam will be discharged as concentrate through the foam overflow outlet 46 located on the right side above the upper column 1. Meanwhile, the hydrophilic gangue particles without attached bubbles will flow continuously downward with the slurry under the action of gravity, pass through the lower column 2, and finally be discharged as tailings through the tailings pipe 47 at the bottom. This invention utilizes a stepped structure to create a high-speed zone and a stable zone within the same column, along with the anti-settling function of the stirring mechanism 3, to achieve efficient and coordinated separation of minerals with different particle sizes, both coarse and fine.

Claims

1. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator, comprising an upper column (1) and a lower column (2) coaxially fixedly connected below the upper column (1), wherein the cross-section of the upper column (1) is larger than the cross-section of the lower column (2), a feed pipe (45) and a foam overflow outlet (46) are fixedly connected to the side wall of the upper column (1), and a tailings pipe (47) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower column (2). Its features are, The flotation column also includes a fixing plate (48) fixed to the top of the upper column (1), a stirring mechanism (3) provided in the upper column (1), and an air inlet mechanism (4) provided in the flotation column. The stirring mechanism (3) includes a motor (31), a transmission rod (32), a gear (36), a stirring rod (35), and three fan blades (39) fixed on the fixed plate (48). The output shaft of the motor (31) is connected to the transmission rod (32). The transmission rod (32) is meshed with the gear (36). The gear (36) is fixed to the upper end of the stirring rod (35). The lower end of the stirring rod (35) is fixed with the three fan blades (39). The three fan blades (39) extend above the connection between the upper chamber column (1) and the lower chamber column (2). The air intake mechanism (4) includes an annular air pipe (41) disposed in the upper chamber column (1) and a vertical air pipe (43) disposed in the lower chamber column (2).

2. The stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stirring mechanism (3) also includes a support plate (34), a bearing one (33), a bearing two (37) and four fixing rods (38). The transmission rod (32) is rotatably mounted on the support plate (34) through the bearing one (33). The support plate (34) is fixed to the top of the upper chamber column (1). The stirring rod (35) is rotatably connected through the bearing two (37). The bearing two (37) is fixed to the inner wall of the upper chamber column (1) through the fixing rods (38).

3. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 2, characterized in that, There are four fixing rods (38), which are evenly distributed radially around the bearing (37).

4. The stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three fan blades (39) are evenly distributed circumferentially around the lower end of the stirring rod (35).

5. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake mechanism (4) further includes an air intake pipe one (42) and an air intake pipe two (44). One end of the air intake pipe one (42) passes through the side wall of the upper chamber column (1) and is connected to the annular air pipe (41). One end of the air intake pipe two (44) passes through the side wall of the lower chamber column (2) and is connected to the vertical air pipe (43).

6. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed pipe (45) is located above the middle left side of the upper silo column (1), and the foam overflow outlet (46) is located on the upper right side above the upper silo column (1).

7. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular air pipe (41) is located above the step formed by the upper chamber column (1) and the lower chamber column (2).

8. A stepped diffusion flotation column based on a microbubble generator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate (34) is fixed above the fixing plate (48).

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