Heterogeneous Material Processing via Collision Chamber Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering materials of interest from heterogeneous materials often require expensive reagents and can pose environmental challenges, particularly in cases where the materials are found in low concentrations or in impermeable formations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing heterogeneous materials using a series of collision chambers and recovery vessels, which involves ablating the material to separate subfractions, reducing the need for chemical reagents and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical separation methods are used to recover material of interest from heterogeneous materials, then the material can be separated from non-bearing fraction, but expensive reagents are required and environmental challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical separation methods with a mechanical ablation system using high-velocity particle jets. The ablation chamber directs streams of abrasive particles at the heterogeneous material, mechanically removing the material of interest from the non-bearing fraction without requiring chemical reagents, thus eliminating associated environmental and cost issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion to accelerate abrasive particles to high velocities through nozzles. The pressurized fluid streams carry the abrasive media through the ablation chamber, enabling mechanical separation of materials based on their response to abrasive impact rather than chemical properties
2Productivity
If in-situ recovery (ISR) is used to extract material from ore formations, then material can be recovered from subsurface deposits, but reagents must be supplied and treated and aquifer contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical leaching with mechanical ablation. Instead of pumping chemical solutions through subsurface formations to dissolve and extract minerals, the system uses high-velocity abrasive particle jets to mechanically fragment and separate the material of interest, eliminating the need for chemical reagents and their associated environmental management issues
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the material of interest from the heterogeneous mixture through selective ablation. The abrasive particle streams preferentially remove the target material while leaving the non-bearing fraction intact, allowing for selective recovery without the need to process or treat large volumes of chemical solutions
3Productivity
If conventional mining is used to process heterogeneous materials, then large quantities of material can be processed, but significant amounts of overburden are produced as waste
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation system applies localized abrasive impact to specific regions of the heterogeneous material. By controlling the direction, velocity, and distribution of particle streams, the system selectively removes only the material of interest from specific locations, leaving the non-bearing fraction intact and minimizing waste generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the heterogeneous nature of the material, which is typically a source of waste in conventional processing, into a benefit. The varying physical and mechanical properties of different material components enable selective ablation, where the abrasive particles interact differently with bearing and non-bearing fractions, allowing for easy separation and reduced waste
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively recovers materials of interest by reducing the amount of overburden produced, achieving higher efficiency and lower costs compared to conventional methods, while also minimizing environmental concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a first collision chamber in communication with the vessel; a first recovery vessel; a second collision chamber in communication with the first collision chamber
Implementation Method 2
collision chambers and recovery vessels, which involves ablating the material to separate subfractions
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing a heterogenous material, the system comprising: a vessel in communication with a primary screen; a first collision chamber in communication with the vessel; a first recovery vessel; a second collision chamber in communication with the first collision chamber; a second recovery vessel; and a secondary screen. A method for processing a heterogenous material, the method comprising: disposing the heterogenous material in a vessel; clarifying the heterogenous material in a clarifier; ablating the heterogenous material in a first collision chamber to form ablated heterogenous material; disposing the ablated heterogenous material in a first recovery vessel; further ablating the ablated heterogenous material from the first recovery vessel to a second collision chamber; and flowing the further ablated heterogenous material in a second recovery vessel.