Slurry Sampling Apparatus with Venting Means for Proportional Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-stage samplers for slurry flows in mineral processing are not suitable for composite sampling as they do not provide a sample flow proportional to the instantaneous process flow rate and are sensitive to changes in flow rates, leading to backflow issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for taking slurry samples from a continuous gravity process flow using two-stage sampling units with venting means to maintain pressureless open-channel flow paths, ensuring the secondary sample flow is proportional to the instantaneous process flow rate and reducing sensitivity to flow changes by adjusting the sampling units' widths and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prior art two-stage sampler is used to sample slurry flows, then a constant secondary sample flow is obtained, but the sample flow is not proportional to the instantaneous process flow rate and the sampler is sensitive to flow changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by maintaining atmospheric pressure at the liquid surface level within the sampling units through venting means. This creates equal pressure conditions inside and outside the sampling units, enabling the sample flow to naturally follow the process flow rate without pressure-driven distortion, thus achieving proportional sampling while reducing sensitivity to flow changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from pressurized (prior art) to atmospheric pressure (venting means) to transform the sampling mechanism. This parameter change allows the sampler to adapt to varying flow rates by maintaining pressure equilibrium, enabling the secondary sample flow to be proportional to the instantaneous process flow rate
2Productivity
If the process flow rate changes, then the sampler becomes sensitive to flow changes, but backflow occurs into the sampling units
Solution Approach 1:
The venting means maintain atmospheric pressure at the liquid surface within sampling units, creating equal pressure conditions that prevent backflow. This equipotential pressure state ensures that changes in process flow rate do not create pressure differentials that would cause harmful backflow into the sampling units
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is segmented into separate sampling units with independent venting, allowing each unit to maintain its own pressure equilibrium. This segmentation prevents backflow from affecting the entire sampling system and isolates the sampling process from process flow variations
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 solution enables accurate composite sampling by maintaining a sample flow proportional to the process flow rate and preventing backflow, ensuring reliable data collection across varying flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second sampling units comprise venting means adjacent the upper end of their respective side walls to allow equalizing of the atmospheric pressure prevailing inside and outside the first and second sampling units above the free liquid levels of the primary and secondary slurry flows
Implementation Method 2
a method for taking slurry samples from a continuous gravity process flow of a pressureless open-channel type
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for taking slurry samples from a continuous gravity process flow (PF). The sampling is carried out in two stages by first and second sampling units (1, 2). The primary sample flow (PSF) and the secondary sample flow (SSF) are arranged as pressureless open-channel type flows, so that the flow rate of the secondary sample flow (SSF) to be led for analysis is approximately proportional to an instantaneous flow rate of the process flow (PF). In the apparatus, the first sampling unit (1) and the second sampling unit (2) comprise venting means (23, 24) adjacent the upper ends (25, 26) of their respective first and second side walls (7, 8; 13; 14) to allow equalizing of the atmospheric pressure prevailing inside and outside the first and second sampling units above free liquid levels (27, 28) of the primary and secondary slurry flows (PSF, SSF) along the entire lengths of the sampling units to form pressure—less open-channel type flow paths for the primary and secondary sample flows (PSF, SSF).