Improvements in Apparatus for Separating or Sorting Grains from Slime in the Dressing of Ores and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1898-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating or Sorting Grains from
Slime in the Dressing of Ores and the like.
I, ERMINIS FERRARIS, of 42, Freiestrasse, Zürich, in the Republic of Switzer-
land, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
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This apparatus has for its object to separate the grains in slime according to
their volumetric weight and is suitable for treating fine granular ores and
slime the size of the grains of which run from a millimetre downwards, and
which are unsuitable for treatment in water deposition machines.
The apparatus consists of a table B which is set in oscillating movement by
means of an adjustable eccentric b. The table is supported on two levers a, a
which are inclined approximately normally to the role of the eccentric so that
the table at each oscillation rises and sinks.
In the direction of movement the table is horizontally inclined as seen in
Figure 1 but in a transverse direction it is inclined to one side as shown in
Figure 2 and its inclination is regulated by the turning of a bolt a² firmly con-
nected with the table B.
The slime or stuff is conveyed by means of a flexible pipe d from the distri-
buting apparatus at A or A¹ to the upper end of the table B in proximity to
the eccentric so that its outflow takes place longitudinally on the upper edge
of the table. A nozzle pipe e delivers the necessary washing water, which inde-
pendently of the oscillating movement of the table trickles over the same trans-
versely and covers the table with a thin even layer of clear water.
The grains contained in the slime or stuff are impelled forward longitudinally
by the rocking movement and the greater their specific gravity the farther
they are thrown. The water which has carried them with it will flow off
equally transversely and the solid constituents of the slime will reach according
to their specific gravity various points of the other edge of the table and in
this manner will be carried out separated according to their volumetric weight.
A channel f with movable cross partitions then conveys the separate pro-
ducts to collectors lying beneath. The table may be made of wood or metal or
may be coated with sheet metal or indiarubber.
The main condition for an exact separation according to volumetric weight
is the correct composition of the slime or stuff as to size of grains and amount
of solid constituents contained.
The sorting of the slime or stuff is preferably effected by means of a pipe A
or a channel A¹ rounded below, which allows of an unimpeded flow of the slime
without any deviation in the direction of the current. The grains of greatest
specific gravity sink first and owing to their deeper position are washed forward
more slowly than the lighter and less dense grains so that the grains in their
movement are deposited in layers according to their constitution in the bottom
of the pipe or channel, the densest and heaviest being the lowest,

page_text: At the places where the slime or stuff is to be drawn off, one or more holes i
are bored in the bottom of the pipe or channel, which holes allow the lower
layer of grains to escape, and the bored part is enclosed by a catch pocket or
pouch h, Figure 4. In order however that no slime water may flow out with
the grains and that the upper layers of grains may not be impeded in their
forward movement, as much water is introduced into the pocket h by means of
a clear water pipe k as flows out of the mouth piece with the grains.
The oscillating table in combination with the above described slime pipe or
channel affords the following advantages in comparison with the ordinary fine
graining apparatuses, namely, an exact separation of the fine grained ores
according to their volumetric weight, an increased delivery, a very reduced
requirement as to power and space, great facility of inspection and easy adjust-
ment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
An apparatus for separating or sorting grains from slime in the
dressing of ores and the like, consisting of a table slightly inclined to one side
and an adjustable eccentric arranged to impart an oscillating movement to said
table, in combination with a delivery device for the slime, comprising a pipe
or channel with a means for continuously extracting the deposited grains with
the object of separating the ore according to its volumetric weight, substan-
tially as hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 20th day of Ontal
1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.