Patent US3722679A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3722679A
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Method and means for froth flotation concentration utilizing an aerator having a venturi passage
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Method and means concepts are disclosed for concentration of minerals and the like by froth flotation treatment in a cell utilizing a venturi tube aerator in a submerged upright position having a shorter flaring portion of a wider angle at its intake end and a longer portion of lesser angle at its upper discharge end with induced flow from intake to discharge causing dissolution of gas in the pulp flow through the intake portion and precipitation of dissolved gas on reagent coated mineral of the pulp flow through the discharge portion. Aerated pulp discharge from aerator onto pulp surface shielded to prevent bubble breakage during direct surface travel to overflow.
Inventors
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Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:42
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03D; B03D1/00; B03D1/14; B03D1/1431; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/232; B01F23/2323; B01F23/23231; B01F23/232311; B01F23/233; B01F23/2331; B01F23/23311; B01F23/2334; B01F23/23341; B01F23/2336; B01F23/23362; B01F23/235; B01F23/2366; B01F23/2368; B01F23/40; B01F23/45; B01F23/454; B01F25/00; B01F25/20; B01F25/21; B01F25/211; B01F25/40; B01F25/42; B01F25/43; B01F25/433; B01F25/4335; B01F25/50; B01F25/53; B01F35/00; B01F35/30; B01F35/32; B01F35/32005; B01F35/3203; B01F35/71; B01F35/712; B01F35/717; B01F35/7179; B01F35/71805; B03D1/1412; B03D1/1443; B03D1/1462; B03D1/1475; B03D1/16; B03D1/22; B03D1/24; B03D1/242; B03D1/26; D; D21; D21D; D21D5/00; D21D5/02; B01F27/00; B01F27/05; B01F27/11; B01F27/112; B01F27/1125; B01F35/32015; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
The combination of a flotation cell for a body of circulating pulp of substantial vertical extent having a top overflow for concentrate, and an aerator assembly submerged in and extending substantially throughout the vertical extent of the pulp body, said assembly including a body shaped as a venturi tube with a lower intake portion narrowing upwardly and of a length short with respect to the length of the tube, an upper discharge portion of greater length than the intake portion and flaring upwardly at a lesser angle than the angle of narrowing of said lower portion and a constriction between the portions, means for admitting pulp from the pulp body to said intake portion of said tube, means for delivering an aerating gas under pressure into the intake end of the venturi passage and for producing an upward flow of pulp through said tube, and means at the discharge end of the upper portion for directing the discharge therefrom outwardly and onto the surface of the pulp body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
The combination of a flotation cell for a body of circulating pulp of substantial vertical extent having a top overflow for concentrate, and an aerator assembly submerged in and extending substantially throughout the vertical extent of the pulp body, said assembly including a body shaped as a venturi tube with a lower intake portion narrowing upwardly and of a length short with respect to the length of the tube, an upper discharge portion of greater length than the intake portion and flaring upwardly at a lesser angle than the angle of narrowing of said lower portion and a constriction between the portions, means for admitting pulp from the pulp body to said intake portion of said tube, means for delivering an aerating gas under pressure into the intake end of the venturi passage and for producing an upward flow of pulp through said tube, and means at the discharge end of the upper portion for directing the discharge therefrom outwardly and onto the surface of the pulp body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which pumping means induces the flow into and through the venturi tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, in which the pumping means has an intake for circulating pulp, a discharge into the intake end of the venturi passage, and a passage through which air is conducted into the pumping means between the pump intake and discharge and is discharged under pressure thereby causing dissolution of entrained gases in the pulp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which an air jet induces the flow into and through the venturi tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, in which a rotary impeller produces the flow into and through the venturi tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combined aerator and flotation cell as defined in claim 1, including deflecting means overhanging the discharge end of the venturi passage having a curved surface directing the discharge from the venturi tube directly to and across said top overflow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combined aerator and flotation cell as defined in claim 6, in which the deflecting means is at approximately the froth overflow level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combined aerator and flotation cell as defined in claim 1, in which the gas delivery means includes a valve controlled conduit having outlet in the intake of the venturi passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combined aerator and flotation cell as defined in claim 1, in which the gas delivery means includes an upwardly directed conduit having a jet outlet in the intake of the venturi passage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
262 words
The combination of a flotation cell for a body of circulating pulp of substantial vertical extent having a top overflow for concentrate, and an aerator assembly submerged in and extending substantially throughout the vertical extent of the pulp body, said assembly including a tubular body defining an upright venturi passage open at its ends and shielded from the pulp body intermediate its ends, said tubular body having oppositely flaring wall portions, the lower portion constituting the intake end and being of a length short with respect to the passage and flaring at a greater angle to the vertical than the flare of the upper portion, the intersection between said flaring portions forming a constriction to flow, means for admitting pulp from the pulp body to the lower portion of said tubular body, and the top end of the upper portion being the outlet of the passage and being near the level of the concentrate overflow permitting unimpeded flow of pulp through the venturi passage to the overflow, means for delivering an aerating gas under pressure into the intake end of the venturi passage, and pumping means arranged in said lower portion for producing an upward flow of fluid through said venturi passage and a downward return of fluid through the cell outside said tubular body and cooperative with the gas input for inducing laminar flow through the venturi passage under pRedetermined pressures causing gas dissolution in the lower portion, gas precipitation in the upper portion, and a recirculation of unfloated solids of the pulp from the cell through the venturi intake passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
262 words
The combination of a flotation cell for a body of circulating pulp of substantial vertical extent having a top overflow for concentrate, and an aerator assembly submerged in and extending substantially throughout the vertical extent of the pulp body, said assembly including a tubular body defining an upright venturi passage open at its ends and shielded from the pulp body intermediate its ends, said tubular body having oppositely flaring wall portions, the lower portion constituting the intake end and being of a length short with respect to the passage and flaring at a greater angle to the vertical than the flare of the upper portion, the intersection between said flaring portions forming a constriction to flow, means for admitting pulp from the pulp body to the lower portion of said tubular body, and the top end of the upper portion being the outlet of the passage and being near the level of the concentrate overflow permitting unimpeded flow of pulp through the venturi passage to the overflow, means for delivering an aerating gas under pressure into the intake end of the venturi passage, and pumping means arranged in said lower portion for producing an upward flow of fluid through said venturi passage and a downward return of fluid through the cell outside said tubular body and cooperative with the gas input for inducing laminar flow through the venturi passage under pRedetermined pressures causing gas dissolution in the lower portion, gas precipitation in the upper portion, and a recirculation of unfloated solids of the pulp from the cell through the venturi intake passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combined aerator and flotation cell as defined in claim 10, in which said pumping means entrains aerating gas for entry into the laminar flow through the venturi passage of the aerator assembly.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
228 words
The method of froth flotation concentration which comprises: circulating a confined body of conditioned pulp of substantial vertical extent open to the atmosphere at its top and providing a surface overflow for concentrate solids, providing a confined submerged zone extending throughout substantially the vertical extent of the pulp body interiorly thereof having a lower intake for pulp from the confined body, admitting pulp to the lower intake and mixing aerating gas and pulp in the confined zone, moving the pulp and gas mixture upwardly through the confined zone by an induced flow and discharging the mixture from the zone onto the confined body and toward the overflow in proximity to the elevation of the overflow, providing in said confined submerged zone a venturi portion intermediate the ends thereof and separated from the pulp body for establishing a selected pressure within said induced flow so as to dissolve gas in a lower portion of said flow and a lower pressure above the venturi portion to cause rapid gas precipitation from solution onto surfaces of pulp particles in the upper portion of said flow, and discharging the mixture from an upper portion of the submerged zone onto the confined pulp body, whereby a gas-buoyed concentrate of the pulp passes to surface overflow substantially free from turbulence thereby preventing undue separation of bubbles and concentrate particles in the travel to discharge.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
228 words
The method of froth flotation concentration which comprises: circulating a confined body of conditioned pulp of substantial vertical extent open to the atmosphere at its top and providing a surface overflow for concentrate solids, providing a confined submerged zone extending throughout substantially the vertical extent of the pulp body interiorly thereof having a lower intake for pulp from the confined body, admitting pulp to the lower intake and mixing aerating gas and pulp in the confined zone, moving the pulp and gas mixture upwardly through the confined zone by an induced flow and discharging the mixture from the zone onto the confined body and toward the overflow in proximity to the elevation of the overflow, providing in said confined submerged zone a venturi portion intermediate the ends thereof and separated from the pulp body for establishing a selected pressure within said induced flow so as to dissolve gas in a lower portion of said flow and a lower pressure above the venturi portion to cause rapid gas precipitation from solution onto surfaces of pulp particles in the upper portion of said flow, and discharging the mixture from an upper portion of the submerged zone onto the confined pulp body, whereby a gas-buoyed concentrate of the pulp passes to surface overflow substantially free from turbulence thereby preventing undue separation of bubbles and concentrate particles in the travel to discharge.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of froth flotation concentration which comprises: circulating a confined body of conditioned pulp of substantial vertical extent open to the atmosphere at its top and having a surface overflow for concentrate solids, providing a confined submerged zone for mixing aerating gas and pulp extending throughout substantially the vertical extent of the pulp body interiorly thereof and having adjacent its lower end an intake for pulp from the confined body, moving the pulp and gas mixture entering the intake in an induced flow to an upper pulp discharge in proximity to the elevation of the overflow, said induced flow being produced by a pumping action, said submerged zone including a venturi portion shielded from the pulp body intermediate its ends for establishing selected pressures within said induced flow so as to dissolve gas in a lower portion of said flow and to cause rapid gas precipitation from solution onto pulp particle surfaces in the upper portion of said flow, and discharging the flow from an upper portion of the submerged zone onto the confined body and toward the overflow, whereby a gas-buoyed concentrate of the pulp passes to surface overflow substantially free from turbulence thereby preventing undue separation of bubbles and concentrate particles in the travel to discharge.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of froth flotation concentration which comprises: circulating a confined body of conditioned pulp of substantial vertical extent open to the atmosphere at its top and having a surface overflow for concentrate solids, providing a confined submerged zone for mixing aerating gas and pulp extending throughout substantially the vertical extent of the pulp body interiorly thereof and having adjacent its lower end an intake for pulp from the confined body, moving the pulp and gas mixture entering the intake in an induced flow to an upper pulp discharge in proximity to the elevation of the overflow, said induced flow being produced by a pumping action, said submerged zone including a venturi portion shielded from the pulp body intermediate its ends for establishing selected pressures within said induced flow so as to dissolve gas in a lower portion of said flow and to cause rapid gas precipitation from solution onto pulp particle surfaces in the upper portion of said flow, and discharging the flow from an upper portion of the submerged zone onto the confined body and toward the overflow, whereby a gas-buoyed concentrate of the pulp passes to surface overflow substantially free from turbulence thereby preventing undue separation of bubbles and concentrate particles in the travel to discharge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
178 words
An aerator unit for froth flotation apparatus comprising an elongated hollow body open at its ends and adapted to be mounted in an upright position in a flotation cell and submerged in pulp contained therein, the body defining a venturi passage including a lower intake portion in open communication with pulp in the cell, an upper discharge portion and a constriction between said portions, the lower portion of the body being short with respect to the length of the body and having its wall converging at an included angle in the range of 25*-30* and the discharge portion being substantially longer and its wall flaring at an included angle in the range of 5* to 7 1/2 *, means for discharging gas into the lower intake portion of said body and for producing an upward flow of pulp throUgh said venturi passage, whereby gas and conditioned pulp flowing through the passage are maintained in laminar flow with gas dissolution in the intake portion and gas precipitation onto pulp particle surfaces in the discharge portion of the venturi passage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
178 words
An aerator unit for froth flotation apparatus comprising an elongated hollow body open at its ends and adapted to be mounted in an upright position in a flotation cell and submerged in pulp contained therein, the body defining a venturi passage including a lower intake portion in open communication with pulp in the cell, an upper discharge portion and a constriction between said portions, the lower portion of the body being short with respect to the length of the body and having its wall converging at an included angle in the range of 25*-30* and the discharge portion being substantially longer and its wall flaring at an included angle in the range of 5* to 7 1/2 *, means for discharging gas into the lower intake portion of said body and for producing an upward flow of pulp throUgh said venturi passage, whereby gas and conditioned pulp flowing through the passage are maintained in laminar flow with gas dissolution in the intake portion and gas precipitation onto pulp particle surfaces in the discharge portion of the venturi passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |