Method and apparatus for the storage and pulping of material ores and comparable particulate matter

Abstract

Abstract METHOD FOR THE STORAGE, HANDLING AND PULPING OF DISCRETE OR PARTICULATE MINERALS (E.G IRON ORE SOLIDS) AND COMPARABLE PARTICULATE MATTER. ASSUMING THAT THE IMERAL SOLIDS ARE TO BE STORED ON A SHIP OR LIKE CARRER, THE SHIP IS PROVIDED WITH CARGO CARRYING HOLDS HAVING BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS FORMING STORAGE VESSELS INTO WHICH THE MINERAL SOLIDS ARE INTRODUCED. IN A SHORE BASE INSTALLATION, A STORAGE VESSEL IS UTILIZED WHICH ALSO HAS BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS. THE BOTTOM WALL OF EACH SUCH STORAGE VESSEL IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OR MORE SUMPS FROM WHICH SLURRY IS REMOVED. WHEN IT IS DESIRED TO REMOVE THE DISCRETE MINERAL SOLIDS FROM A VESSEL, WATER JETS ARE DISCHARGED TO FORM A PULPING ZONE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE VESSEL AND DIRECTLY OVERLYING ITS BOTTOM. THESE WATER JETS ARE DIRECTED AND TRAVERSED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE SOLID MINERALS ARE ACTED UPON AND PULPED PROGRESSIVELY IN THE PULPING ZONE, AND THE ZONE IS MOVED AS THE WATER JETS ARE TRAVERSED TO THEREBY PROGRESSIVELY COVER ALL OF THE REGION OVERYLING THE ENTIRE BOTTOM WALL. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE FRESHLY FORMED SLURRY IS REMOVED AS RAPIDLY AS POSIBLE TO PREVENT FLOODING. AS THE FRESHLY FORMED SLURRY IS REMOVED, THE REMAINDER OF THE OVERYLING SOLIDS PROGRESSIVELY MOVE DOWNWARDLY TO THE PULPING ZONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY, AND MAY SLIDE OR CAVE IN IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE ENERGY OF THE FALL AIDS IN BREAKING UP THE MATERIAL.

Inventors

• 👤 Charles W Robinson
• 👤 Glenn E Craig
• 👤 Emmett J Murphy

Bibliographic Details