Anti-blocking backflow pipeline system at the bottom of a thickener

Abstract

A kind of thickener bottom anti-blocking backflow pipeline system, including thickener body, discharge pipeline and slurry delivery pump, its innovation is in that a backflow pipeline is additionally provided, one end of the backflow pipeline is connected on the discharge pipeline downstream of slurry delivery pump, the other end is connected back to the inside of thickener body, and flow regulating device is provided on the backflow pipeline, the system by the part of already pressurized underflow material is guided back to the inside of thickener, forms internal circulation, both can maintain the high flow rate of discharge pipeline to prevent deposition, and can continue to disturb the thickener bottom concentrate material to prevent hardening, while the utility model fundamentally avoids the problems of material dilution, system complexity and high cost caused by introducing external backwash liquid and compressed air in prior art, realizes the initiative, full, non-dilution anti-blocking effect, especially suitable for high density, easily deposited slurry liquid-solid separation process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of solid-liquid separation equipment, specifically to a thickener bottom anti-clogging reflux pipeline system. Background Technology

[0002] Thickeners are key pieces of equipment in non-ferrous hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, and other fields. Clogging of their bottom discharge port has long been a problem plaguing industrial production. Currently, common anti-clogging solutions mostly employ external media intervention.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent CN222304860U discloses a thickener with anti-clogging function, which uses external compressed air and flushing fluid for backflushing and backwashing by setting a compressed air inlet and a backwashing fluid inlet on the discharge cylinder. Although this solution can play a certain role in unblocking, it has inherent defects: First, the introduction of backwashing fluid will dilute the underflow slurry, increasing the load and energy consumption of subsequent dewatering processes; second, it requires a separate air compressor and water supply system, making the equipment complex and resulting in high investment and operating costs; finally, its operation mode is a passive response and local flushing, which is not thorough in preventing clogging and may introduce new pollution or freezing risks.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for a new anti-clogging solution that can prevent deposition at the source without introducing the aforementioned problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defects of existing thickener anti-clogging technology, which requires the introduction of external media, leading to material dilution and system complexity, and to provide a thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system that utilizes its own material for internal circulation to achieve active and full-process anti-clogging.

[0006] The technical solution adopted to solve the above technical problems is: A thickener bottom anti-clogging reflux pipeline system includes a thickener body, a discharge port at the bottom of the thickener body, a discharge pipeline connected to the discharge end of the discharge port, a slurry conveying pump on the discharge pipeline, a reflux pipeline, a first end of the reflux pipeline connected to the discharge pipeline downstream of the slurry conveying pump, a second end of the reflux pipeline extending into the internal cavity of the thickener body, and a flow regulating device disposed on the reflux pipeline.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the second end of the reflux pipeline is connected to the thickener body above the discharge port.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the second end of the return pipe extends into the interior of the thickener body, and a unidirectional jet head is provided at its outlet.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the first end of the return pipeline is connected to the discharge pipeline via a T-fitting.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a control system connected to the flow regulating device, wherein the flow regulating device is an automatic regulating valve, and a monitoring device for monitoring its internal state is provided on the discharge pipeline, and the control system is signal connected to the monitoring device and the automatic regulating valve.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the monitoring device is a flow meter or a pressure transmitter.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the thickener body is a thickener used for liquid-solid separation of mineral slurry.

[0013] 1. It fundamentally solves the problems of material dilution and system complexity caused by the intervention of external media; This invention, through the creation of a unique reflux pipeline system, guides a portion of the underflow material, pressurized by the slurry delivery pump, back into the thickener body to form a closed-loop circulation. This achieves an internal self-circulation anti-clogging mechanism that does not rely on any external medium. This structural innovation, on the one hand, completely avoids material dilution caused by the introduction of backwash liquid, ensuring the stability of the underflow concentration and the energy efficiency of subsequent dewatering processes; on the other hand, it eliminates complex external auxiliary facilities such as air compressors and water supply systems, greatly simplifying the system composition, significantly reducing equipment investment costs and daily operation and maintenance energy consumption, and fundamentally overcoming the core drawbacks of existing technical solutions.

[0014] 2. It has realized a shift from a passive, localized unblocking approach to a proactive, end-to-end prevention model for preventing blockages; This invention constructs an active and continuous anti-clogging mode through the coordinated design of the reflux pipeline and the flow regulation device. The reflux effect can continuously maintain the fluid velocity in the discharge pipeline above the critical settling velocity, fundamentally inhibiting particle deposition. At the same time, the refluxed material forms a continuous and uniform hydraulic disturbance on the bottom thickening layer of the thickener through the tangential injection head, preventing caking and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the thickener. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Thickener body; 2. Discharge port; 3. Discharge pipeline; 4. Slurry conveying pump; 5. Return pipeline; 6. Flow regulating device (automatic regulating valve); 7. T-fitting; 8. Tangential jet head; 9. Monitoring device (flow meter / pressure transmitter); 10. Control system. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of 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 some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0018] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0020] In the above description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "one side," "the other side," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] Furthermore, terms such as "identical" do not imply that components must be absolutely identical; minor differences are permissible. The term "perpendicular" simply means that the positional relationship between components is more perpendicular than "parallel," not that the structure must be perfectly perpendicular; a slight tilt is acceptable.

[0022] Example 1 like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a thickener bottom anti-clogging reflux pipeline system, which mainly includes a thickener body 1, a discharge pipeline 3, a slurry conveying pump 4, a reflux pipeline 5, and a flow regulating device 6. The thickener body 1 is provided with a discharge port 2 at the bottom, and the discharge pipeline 3 is connected to the discharge port 2 to transport the concentrated underflow slurry to the next process. The slurry conveying pump 4 is installed on the discharge pipeline 3 to provide power for slurry conveying.

[0023] The core improvement of this utility model lies in the addition of a return pipe 5. The first end of the return pipe 5 is connected to the discharge pipe 3 downstream of the slurry conveying pump 4 through a three-way fitting 7. This means that after the slurry is pressurized by the slurry conveying pump 4, part of it continues to be conveyed forward, while the other part can enter the return pipe 5. The second end of the return pipe 5 extends from the side wall or top of the thickener body 1 into its internal cavity, and the connection point is located above the discharge port 2. At the outlet of the second end of the return pipe 5, a tangential jet head 8 is installed, so that the return material can be sprayed into the bottom of the thickener in the form of tangential swirling flow, which generates a strong stirring and disturbance effect on the thickening layer and effectively prevents the material near the discharge port 2 from caking.

[0024] An automatic regulating valve (such as an electric or pneumatic regulating valve) is installed on the return line 5 as a flow regulating device 6. By adjusting the opening of the valve, the amount of return flow can be precisely controlled.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes a control system 10 (e.g., PLC or DCS), and a monitoring device 9 is installed on the discharge pipeline 3. In this embodiment, a pressure transmitter is selected to monitor the pressure after the pump. The control system 10 is electrically connected to the pressure transmitter 9 and the automatic regulating valve 6.

[0026] Finally, it should be noted that the position of the tangential jet head 8 can be set according to requirements. In order to prevent the bottom settling layer of the thickener from being disturbed and causing mixing, the conveying power of the return pipeline 5 can be adjusted or the tangential jet head 8 can be set near the discharge port 2. This will not only prevent mixing but also prevent caking and ensure the long-term stable operation of the thickener.

[0027] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When the system starts, the slurry delivery pump 4 is turned on first. The high-concentration underflow slurry concentrated at the bottom of the thickener body 1 is drawn into the discharge pipe 3 from the discharge port 2 by the pump. Most of the slurry is transported to the subsequent process along the discharge pipe 3. At the same time, the key anti-clogging mechanism of the system starts to operate. Another part of the slurry, after being pressurized by the slurry delivery pump 4, enters the core component of this utility model, the return pipe 5, through the tee fitting 7 connected to the discharge pipe 3 downstream of the pump. The flow regulating device 6 set on the return pipe 5 is usually an automatic regulating valve, which can adjust the opening degree according to the system requirements to control the appropriate return flow. This part of the return slurry with high kinetic energy and pressure is transported through the return pipe 5 and returned to the internal cavity of the thickener body 1. At the same time, the return slurry enters the position of the thickener body 1. With special design, a tangential jet head 8 is usually located above the discharge port 2. More preferably, it is located at the end outlet of the return pipe 5 that extends into the thickener. The return slurry is sprayed into the concentrated settling layer at the bottom of the thickener at a high tangential velocity through this tangential jet head 8. This design produces a dual anti-clogging effect: First, the high-speed rotating jet creates continuous and strong hydraulic shear and disturbance on the concentrated material layer at the bottom of the thickener, which is most prone to caking and silting. This effectively destroys the static structure and sedimentation tendency between particles, maintaining the fluidity of the material from the source and preventing blockage near the discharge port 2. Second, by continuously guiding a portion of the slurry back to the system through the return pipe 5, the total fluid flow through the discharge port 2 and nearby pipes is substantially increased, which helps maintain the necessary fluid velocity in this area and further inhibits the settling of solid particles. In the preferred automated operation scheme, a monitoring device 9, such as a pressure transmitter or flow meter, installed on the discharge pipeline 3 monitors the pressure or flow changes in the pipeline in real time. This monitoring signal is transmitted to the control system 10. When the monitoring device 9 detects abnormal parameters, such as increased pressure or decreased flow, indicating a potential risk of blockage, the control system 10 immediately sends a command to the automatic regulating valve, which acts as a flow regulating device 6, to increase its opening. This increases the return flow, enhances the disturbance intensity of the bottom material, and strengthens the pipeline flow rate maintenance capability, thus proactively mitigating the risk of blockage. After the system parameters return to normal, the control system 10 then commands the regulating valve to decrease its opening, returning the system to an energy-saving operating state. This cycle repeats, achieving intelligent, proactive, and efficient anti-blockage control based on real-time operating conditions.

[0028] The contents not described in detail in this specification are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A thickener bottom anti-clogging backflow pipeline system, comprising a thickener body (1), wherein a discharge port (2) is provided at the bottom of the thickener body (1), and a discharge pipeline (3) is connected to the discharge end of the discharge port (2), and a slurry conveying pump (4) is provided on the discharge pipeline (3), characterized in that: It also includes a return pipe (5), the first end of which is connected to the discharge pipe (3) downstream of the slurry conveying pump (4), the second end of which extends to the internal cavity of the thickener body (1), and a flow regulating device (6) provided on the return pipe (5).

2. The thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second end of the return pipe (5) is connected to the thickener body (1) above the discharge port (2).

3. The thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second end of the return pipe (5) extends into the interior of the thickener body (1) and is provided with an all-directional jet head (8) at its outlet.

4. The thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first end of the return pipe (5) is connected to the discharge pipe (3) through a tee fitting (7).

5. The thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control system (10) connected to the flow regulating device (6), the flow regulating device (6) being an automatic regulating valve, and a monitoring device (9) for monitoring its internal state being provided on the discharge pipeline (3), and the control system (10) being signal connected to the monitoring device (9) and the automatic regulating valve.

6. The thickener bottom anti-clogging return pipeline system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The monitoring device (9) is a flow meter or a pressure transmitter.

7. A thickener bottom anti-clogging backflow pipeline system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The thickener body (1) is a thickener used for liquid-solid separation of slurry.

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