Hydroclassifier and heavy mineral concentrator device

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydroclassifier and heavy mineral concentrator device with nanotechnology and which does not require chemical compounds, comprising: an adjustable laminar feed chute (1); a selective-phase separator plate (2) that divides the hydroclassifier along its diameter into a left semicircle (4) and a right semicircle (5), the selective-phase separator (2) being connected to a depth regulator (3) that separates nanometric strips of particles. The device also comprises, in the lower area or bottom part, a collecting strip (6) and a removal pump (7) that removes sludge or mud by means of pulsing suction and, in the upper area, on the side of the right semicircle (5), a tailings chute (8) and an overflow chute (9).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM

[0002] Hydroclassifying device and concentrator of heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds.

[0003] It is well known that the cyclone and hydrocyclone effect is used to separate suspended particles, microparticles, and nanoparticles using centripetal force. Current conventional processes are based on geochemistry and are inefficient, as well as producing serious environmental impacts.

[0004] The present hydroclassifier and heavy mineral concentrator solves the recovery of all minerals without the need to use any chemical product using physical principles related to gravity as a stable agent and water and its physical behavior.

[0005] This device is based on geophysics and has no environmental impact. Furthermore, it remediates environmental liabilities, recovering all the economic value lost with conventional methods. It utilizes gravity as a stabilizing agent and water, which serves a dual purpose: transporting the mineral pulp and creating the physical conditions necessary to separate any mineral as desired.

[0006] Scope:

[0007] The field of application of this hydroclassifier is primarily geared towards the mining industry, but it is not limited to other industrial applications.

[0008] Technical context:

[0009] Hydroclassification is conceptually the application of hydrodynamic principles. Water physically exhibits various behaviors when used under the effects of gravity, acting as a stable agent that maintains consistent physical conditions throughout its application: forward velocity, resistance to fall, translation, conductivity, elasticity, solid-liquid density, depth variables, conditioned circuit, regulated impact force, controlled and stable homogeneous inlet with Venturi feeding, assistance from homogenized and classified mineral pulp, and depth constrictions that allow for selective, pressure-driven stable conditions for nanoparticles, which are then transported to overflow for subsequent classification and concentration.

[0010] All these behaviors obey stable physical laws of HYDRODYNAMICS which in turn respond to: Resistance to the advance of NANOPARTICLES; propulsion; maneuverability; pressure; depth; mineral pulp density.

[0011] Nanoparticles are invisible to the human eye, ranging in size from 1 micron, which is one-thousandth of a millimeter. This micron is further divided into 10,000 parts called nanoparticles, which are subdivided into: ultrafine nanoparticles (ranging from 1 to 150 µm); fine nanoparticles (ranging from 150 to 2500 µm); and coarse nanoparticles (ranging from 2500 to 10,000 µm). When we refer to 10,000 µm, we are talking about 1 micron divided into up to 10,000 parts. Current physical sieves allow, at best, a classification of 33 microns equivalent to a Tyler 400 mesh, which in industrial terms and applicable to conventional extractive metal mining is inefficient, resulting in a decrease in industrial productivity that, due to its difficulty, is unfeasible.The industrial hydroclassifier allows for efficient and economical classification, achieving unprecedented results of excellence. This opens a much-needed and innovative paradigm within the global metal mining industry, replacing the limited physical classifications of inefficient and costly sieves. Furthermore, it enables classification not only in an efficient and economical manner but also with particle sizes invisible to the human eye—nanoparticles that even laboratory-scale filters cannot separate.

[0012] Applied GEOPHYSICS provides all the necessary elements to certify these excellent results already demonstrated in measurements with cutting-edge electron microscopy technologies that confirmed their efficiency and industrial applicability (we attach granulometric studies carried out by internationally recognized laboratories) QLabs Laboratory and CONICET ARGENTINA - Mass spectroscopy used for certification of NANOPARTICLE measurement.

[0013] Conventional processes in global extractive mining are inefficient in terms of recovery and concentration, leaving environmental liabilities with economic values ​​exceeding those recovered through conventional primary processes. Nanoparticles are extremely sensitive to conventional methodologies, which cannot recover them, leaving tailings with economic values ​​far greater than those currently known. The combination of deductive research applied to ecological mining based on physical rather than chemical principles was key to achieving our objectives.

[0014] State of the art:

[0015] In the prior art, various solutions related to devices and apparatus related to cyclones and hydrocyclones can be found, as an example the following patents are cited:

[0016] Patent CL 202300538 relates to a: "Process and apparatus applied to third-stage cyclone systems in FCC units." Its abstract states the following: "The present invention is applicable, in particular, to third-stage cyclone systems, equipment normally used in conjunction with fourth-stage cyclones to reduce the concentration of catalyst particles in the combustion gases of Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) units. The invention relates to a process where the purge stream from the third-stage cyclone vessel is continuously removed from the upper part of the third-stage vessel, using the extended length of this vessel to introduce a natural separation step, where the particles present in this stream are released from the gas rising into the vessel at low velocity, returning to the lower part of the vessel."The material collected by the third-stage cyclones accumulates in the vessel cone, from which it is discarded at regular intervals. This process aims to increase the overall separation efficiency of the system, which is a lower-cost alternative compared to the use of total blockage filters.

[0017] Patent CL 201701396 refers to a: "A hydrocyclone with wear instrumentation and wireless communication system, which allows for improved classification efficiency, reducing the leakage of coarse particles through the flow of fines or overflow and significantly decreasing the short circuit of fine particles through the flow of coarse particles or discharge, which has an indented spigot and a non-tangential evolute inlet, which generates a downward inlet ramp."

[0018] Patent CL 202100927 discloses: "An impeller to increase the efficiency of equipment known as cyclones, which are used to classify particles according to size and thereby increase the recovery of useful mineral species and reduce energy consumption in wet grinding circuits, incorporated inside the cyclones where: a) The depth of the impeller 2 in the pulp can be regulated from outside the cyclone by axially displacing its shaft 3. b) A variable speed motor 4, located outside the cyclone, will drive the impeller 2 through its shaft 3. c) The amount of movement of the pulp can be regulated either by varying the rpm of the impeller or by modifying the depth of the impeller in the pulp, until the optimal particle size cut is achieved."

[0019] Patent Cl 201402074 relates to a: "Hydrocyclone comprising a plate for separating a blocking fluid and a feed slurry, wherein, downstream of the plate, a flow separator is arranged for separating the confluent blocking fluid stream and feed slurry; and a method for operating the hydrocyclone." Its abstract states: the present invention relates to a hydrocyclone with an inlet zone having a tangential inlet for a feed slurry and a separation zone downstream of the inlet zone, and having a bottom stream nozzle for discharging coarse material or coarse grain, wherein at least one additional inlet is provided for feeding a blocking fluid stream, such that the blocking fluid and the feed slurry converge in the hydrocyclone and, before converging, are separated from each other by means of a plate.reducing the erroneous discharge of fine or fine-grained material into the bottom stream and of coarse or coarse-grained material into the top stream, wherein, downstream of the sheet, in the direction of the feed slurry flow, a flow separator is arranged, through which the confluent blocking fluid stream and feed slurry are again separated from each other. The invention also relates to a method for operating the hydrocyclone.

[0020] Mobil Oil Corporation's patent 06804572 refers to a "Hydro-Sizing Method and Apparatus." Its abstract states: "An apparatus and method for separating particulate solids from a solid mixture based on particle size, comprising feeding a suspension of the particulate solid mixture into an upper vessel portion adapted to be filled with liquid such as the suspended particulate material. The apparatus also includes a lower vessel portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper vessel portion and being sealed for fluid communication with the upper vessel portion by an outward-diverging wall located at the top of the lower vessel portion. The upper vessel portion has a free-settling region for separating particulate solids."The suspension containing particles is achieved with an upward-directed flow of fluidizing fluid, for example, water, in the lower portion of the container. A first solid particle-containing fraction that has descended through the fluidizing flow is directed from the apparatus by a means for this purpose. A second fraction containing substantially fines is removed from the upper portion of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a further separation operation is carried out by using an additional, smaller container. The cited documents differ from the invention both in their structural conformation and in their mode of operation. In this respect, the present invention incorporates nanotechnology and dispenses with the use of chemical compounds during the process.

[0021] The present invention addresses a need within the global extractive mining industry. Conventional mining, in its various applications, relies on geochemistry, utilizing sorbents, flocculants, and other harmful and hazardous elements such as mercury (Hg) or sodium cyanide. The consequences of these industrial applications are not only economically costly but also extremely damaging to the environment, generating significant and irreparable global repercussions. Extractive mining must change the course of its application and development by establishing process options based on geophysics. This allows for much more economical and efficient processes with lower energy and water consumption, without altering the natural environment. It also eliminates the need to remediate environmental liabilities, the economic value of which is far greater than the amount recovered through primary processes.Scientific deductive research has led to the conclusion that global metal extraction chemistry is a necessary step, but not in open-pit mines; rather, it should be carried out in laboratories. The application of physics, using gravity as a stabilizing agent and water as the generator of physical principles, is key and necessary to establish new guidelines for industrial processes that benefit the global economy and mitigate the impact of their use.

[0022] Brief description of the figures:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows plan and cross-section views of the hydroclassifier.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a side cross-section view.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a front cross-section view.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a plan view.

[0027] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the invention. Detailed description:

[0028] The present hydroclassifier and heavy mineral concentrator incorporates nanotechnology and solves the recovery of all minerals without the need to use any chemical product using physical principles related to gravity as a stable agent and water and its physical behavior.

[0029] The hydroclassifier comprises:

[0030] An adjustable laminar feed chute (1), used to regulate the mineral pulp inflow to the selective circuit, is one of the key physical principles for achieving separation within laminar flow parameters, that is, below 2200 Reynolds numbers. This unit of measurement distinguishes turbulent flow, which can lead to uncontrolled handling and maneuverability of nanoparticles. The feed enters the hydroclassifier via tailings leaving the concentrator station, which fall through a tailings chute (8) from the upper front end of the device. This feed is unidirectional, stratified, and smooth—characteristics necessary for laminar flow.

[0031] A solid-liquid invasion occurs and its hydrodynamic behavior: The mineral pulp enters the hydroclassifier in a laminar fashion from its upper front end through the tailings chute (8) of the concentrator station.

[0032] This influx creates a solid-liquid invasion that forces the particles to compete for space within the selective circuit. Their entry occurs underwater because the constant buoyancy of the mineral pulp forces the nanoparticles to enter below the surface line, overcoming surface tension. Once below the surface and sharing the same competitive space, the heavier particles prevail and continue their trajectory toward the collection strip (6) located at the bottom of the hydroclassifier. Conversely, the much smaller and lighter nanoparticles are quickly expelled from the circuit to the tailings to continue their hydroclassification and concentration process.

[0033] It incorporates a depth regulator (3) for a selective phase separator strip (2): When particles enter the selective circuit they are pushed under the selective phase separator strip (2) which divides the diameter of the hydroclassifier into two portions called left semicircle (4) and right semicircle (5).

[0034] All particles must first pass through the left semicircle (4) and then into the right semicircle (5). It is in this second right semicircle (5) that fair competition allows the separation, by weight and size, of nanoparticles smaller than 1 micron from the larger, heavier ones, which continue their trajectory to the bottom of the classifier and settle in the collection strip (6). From there, they are removed by an extraction pump (7) that extracts sludge or mud using pulse suction. This pump maintains the collection strip (6) below the established maximum level, which is 10% of the liters / kilograms equivalent calculated based on the classifier's maximum capacity in liters during production. The extraction pump (7) is a pulse suction pump located at the bottom of the classifier and removes the heavy, slurry-like mineral that reaches the collection strip (6) using pulse suction.This causes the selective conditions of fair competition to remain stable without interrupting or changing the conditions within the stable mechanism of the hydroclassifier.

[0035] It comprises an overflow chute (9) where a saturation discharge occurs and an overflow leakage line is generated. During the selective process and in fair competition, the nanoparticles are inevitably removed to tailings or overflow through the overflow chute (9) located on the upper side of the right semicircle (5), which is connected via the tailings chute (8) to the concentrator station. From there, the nanoparticles enter a circuit of concentrator stations where, in fair competition by weight and size, they are classified and concentrated into super-grades with total precious metal recoveries, leaving tailings sterile of precious metals and free of any chemical element.The sustainability and ecology of the method not only allows for no pollution but also the use and reuse of water within a closed circuit without losses, since upon leaving the last concentrating station it enters a decantation circuit composed of five tailings stations connected consecutively by overflow and returns to the primary pulp assembly tank to be used again systematically and uninterruptedly.

[0036] Figure 1 shows plan and cross-section views of the hydroclassifier. The adjustable laminar feed chute (1), the selective phase separator strip (2) that divides the diameter of the hydroclassifier into two portions called the left semicircle (4) and the right semicircle (5), the depth regulator (3), the collector strip (6) located at the bottom of the hydroclassifier, the extraction pump (7) that extracts mud or sludge by pulse suction, the tailings chute (8), and the overflow chute (9) located on the upper side of the right semicircle (5) can be seen.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a side cross-section view where the adjustable laminar feed chute (1) can be seen; the collector strip (6) located at the bottom of the hydroclassifier and the extraction pump (7) that extracts mud.

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a front cross-section view of the selective phase separator strip (2) that divides the diameter of the hydroclassifier into two portions and the collector strip (6) located at the bottom.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the hydroclassifier and shows the adjustable laminar feed chute (1), the selective phase separator strip (2); the left semicircle (4) and the right semicircle (5); the tailings chute (8) and the overflow chute (9) located on the upper side of the right semicircle (5).

[0040] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the invention and its components. Application example:

[0041] In laboratory tests, two mineralized blends are prepared for concentration treatment in a processing plant.

[0042] The samples are identified by the names "A" and "B".

[0043] Sample "A" was processed in a processing plant and was homogenized, thoroughly crushed to #10 and representatively sampled to determine head values ​​for the elements Gold, Silver and Copper.

[0044] Au-Ag-Cu analysis. Sample "A", after representative sampling, was completely pulverized, obtaining the following weights:

[0045] &

[0046]

[0047] Once processed, sample "A" is transported to the concentrator plant after treatment. At the concentrator plant, the ore is recovered from the stations, yielding a liquid fraction and a solid fraction for each station. A non-representative sample of the solid fractions was taken before drying. Aliquots of the liquid samples are stabilized with HNO3 for Au-Ag-Cu quantification at the plant. After drying the sample at a controlled temperature, the fractions are weighed, yielding the following weights:

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051] Once the weights of the stations have been obtained, a representative sampling of the solid fraction is carried out to perform chemical analyses at the plant.

[0052] The depth regulator (3) of the hydroclassifier is located on the upper midline of the device. Its function is key to separating nanometric bands of particles invisible to the human eye, that is, smaller than 100 microns. The selective phase separator strip (2) can be adjusted perpendicular to the water reservoir line and its depth can be varied, allowing the mineral, on the pulp inlet side, to be forced by propulsion and speed to submerge and pass to the rear side of the right semicircle (5). From there, the nanoparticles will be subjected to selective conditions generated by the pressure, depth, and density of the pulp.

[0053] The greater the depth, the greater the overflow acceleration, resulting in separation at the nanoscale. The heavier particles will be able to withstand the pressure at the reached depth and continue towards the collector located at the bottom of the hydroclassifier, while the lighter nanoparticles will emerge from the right-hand semicircle (5), overflowing into the overflow chute (9) located on the upper side of said right-hand semicircle (5) for evacuation. This classification is continuous and perfectly selective, since the inlet and outlet variables depend directly on gravity as a stable agent and on a pre-classified pulp.

[0054] Physics obeys stable laws without variables when the pulp is homogeneous in terms of pulp density and continuous symmetrical propulsion. This technology is not constrained like a physical mesh where agglomeration of particles leads to irregular and inefficient classification. On the contrary, lacking obstacles or constraints, the hydroclassifier acts solely as a stratifier, creating spaces for fair competition where mineral and water are the only components. Thus, the separation is perfect in terms of particle size and weight.

[0055] Some technical advantages:

[0056] - The hydroclassifier can be used in screening processes of mineral nanoparticles and also solid non-mineral nanoparticles with a higher specific gravity than water.

[0057] - It has application variables for industries that need to classify below physical grids.

[0058] - The device can act as a primary classifier of mineral complexes of different mineral sizes and diameters.

[0059] The device is adaptable to organic and non-organic waste recycling industries using the variables of weight, size and buoyancy.

[0060] - The device can retain iron (Fe) particles by using a magnet as a strip, thus separating magnetic minerals. - The device can vary its processing capacity dimensions to increase the processing dimensions without altering its selective mechanism. - The device can adjust these parameters according to the process requirements by controlling the flow rate, defined as the volume of liquid emerging from a pipe in a given time, and obtain different but homogeneous size classifications in all cases.

Claims

Claims: 1.- Hydroclassifying and concentrating device for heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: an adjustable laminar feed chute (1); a selective phase separator strip (2) that divides the diameter of the hydroclassifier into a left semicircle (4) and a right semicircle (5), said selective phase separator (2) is connected to a; depth regulator (3) that separates the nanometric strips of particles and in the lower zone or bottom comprises a; collection strip (6) and an; extraction pump (7) that extracts mud or sludge by pulse suction; in the upper zone and on the side of the right semicircle (5) it comprises a tailings chute (8) and an overflow chute (9). 2.- Hydroclassifying and concentrating device for heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds of claim No. 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the adjustable laminar feed chute (1) regulates the variables of entry of mineral pulp to the selective circuit to perform a separation that is within parameters of laminar flows, i.e., below 2200 Reynolds of the nanoparticles. 3.- Hydroclassifier and concentrator device for heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds of claim No. 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the entry to the hydroclassifier occurs through the tailings chute (8) entering from the upper front end of the device in a unidirectional, stratified and smooth manner to laminate.

4. A hydroclassifying and concentrating device for heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds of claim No. 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the depth regulator (3) is located on the upper midline of the device and separates the nanometric bands of particles smaller than 100 microns where the selective face separator strip (2) regulates the water reservoir line, varies the depth and allows the entry of pulp by propulsion and speed to submerge through the side of the right semicircle (5).

5. A method for the hydroclassifying and concentrating device for heavy minerals with nanotechnology that dispenses with chemical compounds of claim No. 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the particles must enter through the adjustable laminar feed chute (1),pass to the selective phase separator strip (2) which is connected to the depth regulator (3) to separate the nanometric strips of particles in the lower zone or bottom; all particles must first pass through the left semicircle (4) and then pass to the right semicircle (5), in said right semicircle (5) fair competition allows separation by weight and size of nanoparticles smaller than 1 micron from those larger and heavier ones that continue their trajectory reaching the bottom of the hydroclassifier to be deposited in the collecting strip (6),From said collection strip (6) these particles must be evacuated through the extraction pump (7) which extracts mud or sludge by pulse suction and which will always keep said collection strip (6) below the established maximum level which will be 10% of the liters / kilos equivalent calculated on the maximum capacity in liters of the hydroclassifier in productive activity; discharge by saturation in the overflow chute (9) and generate a leakage line by overflow; the nanoparticles during the selective process and in fair competition are eliminated to tailings or overflow through the overflow chute (9).

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