Copper Concentrate Handling

Posted in: , on 23. Oct. 2005 - 17:16

Dear friends

We are in design process of a material handling plant for copper concentrate. These materials are fine(0-1mm) and moisty. We have a train loading station with a big silo above it. What type of liner should we use inside silo?. Is air blaster a proper way to prevent arch formation.?

Kind Regards

Re: Copper Concentrate Handling

Erstellt am 23. Oct. 2005 - 05:47

Dear Moshen,

I first recommend you have the copper concentrate physical and flow properties evaluated using Lynn Bates or others that can define the internal fines with moisture flow charateristics.

We have worked with copper concentrates for Rio Tinto (Kennecott and Noranda here in North America on their chute designs. This can be very difficult stuff that sticks on vertical surfaces due to its moisture, cold climate and internal Van der Wahl and Eistonian electrostatic and chemical interactions. The fines can be in the size range of -25 micron and below with a small volume above up to 500 micron.

Small ceramic, highly polished tiles, with the proper bin angle and reclaim opening set by the physical properties, are a good first step. The tiles must be set where the edges do not overlap in such a way that produces an edge to catch the flow.

Some have used TIVAR-88 polymer liners. Others have used a chrome plated liner and yet others 316 polished stainless steel.

I believe you need a mass flow hopper. Have you hired a consultant such as Lynn Bates, Jenike and Johanson, or Prof. Alan Roberts, to aid in the silo geometry and mass flow reclaim openings?

The air cannons are a court-of-last-resort that can be integrated into the cone. The proper goemtery and surface treatment are preferred.

Is this for the Sar Chesmeh mine? I worked for Ralph M. Parsons on the Sar Chesmeh downhill overland back in 1974. Is it still in service?

Lawrence Nordell Conveyor Dynamics, Inc. website, email & phone contacts: www.conveyor-dynamics.com nordell@conveyor-dynamics.com phone: USA 360-671-2200 fax: USA 360-671-8450
mky
(not verified)

Air Cannons

Erstellt am 24. Oct. 2005 - 11:24

Dear Mohsen,

I will have a couple of advises for your silo design:

1- The angle with the horizontal should be more than 70 degrees at the bunker part of your silo.

2- Please be away from the sharp cross-section of corners if possible. Conical shapes are more usefull.

3- Liners on the internal surfaces of the silos are helpfull to slide the material in silo at the beginning of operational periods. But if a small amount of sticking begins on any location (mostly at the edges of corners) this will start the sticking of complete material in silo. Therefore this solution may not be the exact solution to prevent sticking problem.

4- Air cannons are the last and the best solution for sticking problem if:

- You chose the most effective capacity and type

- Install air cannons with nozzles which must be designed in accordance with the angles of your silo and direct shock air to the places where create sticking.

Above information are given with my experience on this subject and need to have more information about silo to say more.

Regards,

Mustafa Kemal Yunel

Yunel Elektromekanik Co.Ltd.

Esat Cad. No:42/12

Kucukesat 06660

Ankara/Turkey

Phone : +90 312 4193285

Fax : +90 312 4193289

e-mail : mky@yunel.com

URL : www.yunel.com

rbentzel
(not verified)

Re: Copper Concentrate Handling

Erstellt am 24. Oct. 2005 - 01:47

I agree, material should be tested for characteristic properties and your should put a diamondback hopper by Diamondback Technologies on the outlet. We successfully retro-fit existing coal bunkers with these hoppers that handle wet coal. They work great, without the use of vinrators, air cannons, or bin aerators. But you should still have your material tested first. Diamondback can reccomend proper design of the outlet.

Re: Copper Concentrate Handling

Erstellt am 24. Oct. 2005 - 04:34

Dear Mohsen,

I have seen your request and I also have seen some answers. Think they all are correct. At first you have to look after the possibilities in silodisign to get a mass-flow silo.

But sometimes that`s not possible.

Your material is fine and moisty - that is allways the best difficulty for using flow-aids - as air-cannons are.

When using aircannons I prefered to use them only with special nozzles to bring the quick-exhausting air directly into the critical zone - that`s the silo-wall. Especially if there are corners.

So try to eliminate corners and use aircannons with nozzles designed for your need. -

If there are special questions I can try to help you - please mail details.

Best regards

W. Böhner

Jeanne Marley
(not verified)

Re: Copper Concentrate Handling

Erstellt am 24. Oct. 2005 - 05:19

Please e-mail us dimensional drawing of your silo in order for us to quote proper vibrator/air cannon. Thank you. jmarley@vibco.com or vibrators@vibco.com

Author
(not verified)

Copper Concentrate Handling

Erstellt am 24. Oct. 2005 - 06:19

A type 304 stainless steel liner with 2-B finish should suffice.

W. Edward Barker

President & CEO

PEBCO, Inc.

USA