Copper concentrate hopper design

Posted in: , on 27. Jul. 2007 - 06:52

Good day colleagues

I am hoping somebody can help me with design of a load-out hopper (approx 20m3) for 10% moisture copper cons.

My questions are:

(a) what wall slope and lining material should I specify; and part

(b): is a belt feeder necessary for a 1500tph installation?

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards

Lyle Brown
(not verified)

Re: Copper Concentrate Hopper Design

Erstellt am 27. Jul. 2007 - 05:04

Have a look at other successfully operational designs.

Depends, how do you propose to modulate the discharge and does the receiving item, require a reasonably consistent flow (onto a belt conveyor maybe etc).

TUNRA can test your material for a cost and tell you exactly (perse). Considering the implications of getting it less then optimum design this would seem to be a worthy investment.

And then the question is, is the apron feeder the most appropriate method of extraction – what about a belt feeder, screw feeder etc.

Regards,

Lyle

Re: Copper Concentrate Hopper Design

Erstellt am 27. Jul. 2007 - 05:30

Thanks for your reply Lyle

We ARE planning to visit existing installations but they are far away in distance and time!

As this product is being sent to a ship loader it needs to be at a reasonably constant rate. We are aware of some installations that use a belt feeder and one that doesn't. Unfortunately the product is not in existance yet, the mine has yet to produce, so we cannot do a lab test etc. We have to rely on accepted practise, at this stage.

Thanks for the idea of alternative feeders.

Regards

Adrian

Re: Copper Concentrate Hopper Design

Erstellt am 27. Jul. 2007 - 05:56

We have worked on a number of copper concentrate feed and transfer systems.

Points of observation:

1. Do not install sharp valley angles - generous radii are better

2. Polish metal surface to near mirror finish 63 RMS or better

3. Do not use UHMW or its derivatives

4. Hi-chrome is best when polished

5. Very fine sub-micro particles tend build in corners with discontinuities

6. Polish in direction of flow - not across direction of flow

7. We prefer 75-80 degree slope angle with no corners. This requires special fabrication techniques.

8. We apply shape to liner material more so than hopper bottom

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

Re: Copper Concentrate Hopper Design

Erstellt am 27. Jul. 2007 - 06:00

Certainly not an apron feeder. This is fine concentrate and low tonnage.

Belt feeder or vibrating feeder. We prefer belt feeder.

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

Re: Copper Concentrate Hopper Design

Erstellt am 27. Jul. 2007 - 06:13

Nordell, thanks for your detailed reply

that is just the sort of information that we need. From what you say I asume that a feeder of some sort is usually put in. The ones we have come across have a belt feeder.

Regards

Adrian