Filter Pipe Fitting for Heap Leach Mining Drip Line Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip line tubing in heap leaching systems is prone to clogging due to dirt and debris, leading to increased operating expenses and premature replacement, especially in closed loop systems where contaminants are recirculated.
Innovation Solution
A filter pipe fitting with a tubular design, featuring a cylindrical sidewall, central bore, and ends with male and female threads for secure connection to supply pipes and drip lines, incorporating a filter element with longitudinally extending slats and slots to filter out debris, and a ring nut for secure attachment to drip lines, constructed from composite plastic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drip line tubing is used to distribute leach solution, then uniform distribution and minimized evaporation are achieved, but the tubing becomes clogged with dirt and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is installed in the supply pipe before the leach solution reaches the drip line tubing, performing preliminary filtration to remove dirt and debris. This preliminary action prevents contaminants from entering the drip line holes, solving the clogging problem while maintaining uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element acts as an intermediary component between the supply pipe and the drip line tubing. It mediates the flow of leach solution by intercepting and removing contaminants, allowing clean solution to pass through to the drip lines without clogging the holes.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If filter systems are added to remove dirt and debris, then drip line life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is merged with the pipe fitting that connects the supply pipe to the drip line tubing. This combination integrates the filtration function into an existing connection component, extending the life of the drip line tubing without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe fitting serves multiple functions: it connects the supply pipe to the drip line tubing and simultaneously houses the filter element. This multi-functionality extends drip line life through filtration while avoiding the need for separate filter components, thereby limiting complexity increase.
3Reliability
If composite plastic materials are used for the pipe fitting, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe fitting is made from composite plastic materials that provide corrosion resistance in the chemically aggressive leach solution environment. The composite construction allows the fitting to withstand chemical exposure while maintaining structural integrity for threaded connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of composite plastic materials changes the physical and chemical parameters of the pipe fitting, providing corrosion resistance. The manufacturing process for these composite materials incorporates precision threading that achieves the required connection precision despite the material's unique properties.
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 filter pipe fitting effectively extends the life of drip line tubing by removing dirt and debris from the leaching solution, reducing clogging and maintenance costs, while maintaining a fluid-tight seal and secure connections.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a filter element with longitudinally extending slats and slots to filter out debris
Implementation Method 2
The first end's outer surface includes male threads that threadably affix to female threads formed in the supply pipe's sidewall
Implementation Method 3
a ring nut for secure attachment to drip lines
Data Source
AI summary
A filter pipe fitting is provided for use in connecting a supply pipe to drip line tubing used within heap leach mining. The filter pipe fitting includes first and second ends. The pipe fitting's first end includes male threads for threadably affixing to female threads formed in the sidewall of a supply pipe. The pipe fitting's first end further includes a filter element preferably including longitudinally extending slats forming longitudinally extending slots. The filter element preferably has a closed end, which may or may not be disengageable from the slats. The pipe fitting's second end includes male threads for affixing to a ring nut. The second end further includes a male clamping surface for engaging a female clamping surface circumferentially found on the interior of the ring nut. The male and female clamping surfaces are utilized to clamp onto the tubular end of drip line tubing.