Slurry Deflecting Plate Structure to Prevent Flotation Short-Circuiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slurry processing systems face issues with short circuiting of slurry to tailings and sanding of flotation cell floors, leading to reduced performance and recovery of suspended particles.
Innovation Solution
A slurry stream deflecting apparatus comprising a deflecting plate element with a raised rim and a guiding basin, allowing slurry to flow through openings, creates a low-pressure zone that recirculates slurry for improved mixing and collision with particles, reducing short circuiting and sanding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slurry is introduced directly into the flotation tank without deflection apparatus, then the structure is simple, but slurry short circuits to tailings and causes sanding of flotation cell floors
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting plate element acts as an intermediary component between the blast tube and the flotation tank. It deflects the slurry stream to create a low-pressure zone that promotes proper circulation patterns, preventing direct short-circuiting to tailings while avoiding sanding of the flotation cell floor. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by adding minimal complexity to achieve significant improvements in particle recovery and system reliability.
2Productivity
If slurry flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then output increases, but short circuiting and sanding problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting plate element utilizes hydraulic principles to manage slurry flow. By deflecting the high-velocity slurry stream, it creates a low-pressure zone that draws slurry through the desired path rather than allowing it to short-circuit. This hydraulic control mechanism enables high productivity through increased flow rates while maintaining reliable particle recovery by preventing sanding and short-circuiting issues.
3Reliability
If deflection plate element is added to control slurry flow, then particle recovery improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting plate element changes the flow parameters of the slurry stream by deflecting it at specific angles and creating controlled low-pressure zones. This parameter change approach achieves improved particle recovery through simplified geometric modifications rather than complex mechanical systems. The plate's shape and positioning are optimized to achieve the desired flow control with minimal manufacturing complexity, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and ease of manufacture.
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 apparatus enhances internal recirculation, increases flowrate and mixing, and improves particle recovery by allowing slurry to collide with particles multiple times, thus increasing flotation cell efficiency and reducing sanding.
Implementation Method 1
creates a low-pressure zone that recirculates slurry for improved mixing and collision with particles
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200) is disclosed for treating particles suspended in a slurry. The slurry stream deflecting apparatus comprises a slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) comprising a flat or curved surface with a raised outer rim, and a slurry stream guiding basin (210), which slurry stream guiding basin (210) comprises walls that are raised above the outer rim of the slurry stream deflecting plate element. The slurry stream deflecting apparatus (200) further comprises the slurry stream deflecting plate element (220) suspended inside the slurry stream guiding basin (210) and the slurry stream guiding basin (210) having at least one opening, which allows the flow of slurry through the at least one opening. In addition, a slurry stream processing equipment for treating particles suspended in a slurry and a flotation cell for separating the slurry into at least one underflow (400) and overflow (500), comprising the slurry stream deflecting apparatus are disclosed.