Improvements in Wet Upward Current Separators for Treating Metals, Ores, Gems, or other Minerals or Substances.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1892
Complete Specification Lett. 30th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 6th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wet Upward Current Separators for Treating
Metals, Ores, Gems, or other Minerals or Substances.
I, WILLIAM STRONACH LOCKHART of 67 Granville Park, Blackheath,
London, S.E., in the County of Kent, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in wet upward current separators, for
effecting the separation of metals, gems, or other minerals, from their gangue or
slimes, according to their specific gravities, by means of a current of water or
other liquid, and consists in the construction of an apparatus whereby such an
upward flowing current of water or other liquid is capable of precise regulation
and control as to its steadiness and velocity, for the purpose of effecting the said
separation, in a more reliable and positive manner, than has hitherto been done.
My apparatus consists of a vertical tube of any shape in cross section, with an
internal core, leaving a comparatively narrow space round it and between it, and
the inner walls.of the surrounding casing, through which a current of water or
other liquid is caused to flow upwards at a uniform speed from a uniform head or
source of supply. The tube and its core must be so proportioned that the channel
left between them must be of perfectly uniform area of cross section at or about
the point where the separation is to be effected, and, as the arrangement of a
circular tube with a.cylindrical core lends itself most readily to this end, I shall
adopt this form for the purposes of description, although I in no way limit myself
to this particular form. In order to keep the internal core central with the
external tube, it may in some tubes be advisable to introduce vertical fins or ribs
between the two, and attached to either one or other, or held in position by any
In tubes which are not cylindrical the form of these may be arranged
with the object of correcting the area of the channel and rendering it more uniform
than it otherwise would be.
other means.
Assuming then a vertical tube of circular cross section, with a circular core,
truly centred in it, the channel for the passage of the liquid current would be an
annular. one in cross section, and by conducting water or other liquid, with proper
arrangements as to even supply, to a point of the apparatus below the base of the
tube and annular channel, and with due provision for preventing any surging or
eddying of the stream I cause a perfectly solid stream of water or other liquid,,
flowing at an even speed, to rise throughout the annular channel until it reaches.
the top, where it flows over an even lip or circular weir inside a close casing and so.
into an inclined channel terminating in a nozzle, to which is attached, if desired, a
flexible or extendible tube. The outlet from this nozzle may be raised or depressed,
thus forming the adjustable lower leg of a syphon by which the speed of the.
current of water or other liquid may be adjusted either in combination with a cock
or valve at the inlet or otherwise, or by the alteration of the head or its equivalent
at the liquid inlet.
The nozzle may be provided with a full-way cock, by which the issue of the
stream may be temporarily stopped, whereby a reverse current may be produced.
in the feed inlet for the mineral or other substance, in order to remove any temporary
obstruction, should such occur.
The adjustment of the syphon outlet may also be utilized to determine the level
of the water or other liquid in this feed inlet. The current may also be controlled
more or less by the use of larger or smaller jet nozzles or orifices at the outlet, or
by all or any of the arrangements combined or otherwise.

page_text: The substances of whatever nature to be separated are introduced in a granular
or powdered form, through the upper portion of the central core, which, for the
purpose, is made hollow, and is divided from the lower portion by a space approxi-
mately equal in width to the width of the annular channel or space round the core,
a circular slit or opening being thus formed for the passage of the material to be
separated. The separator used with a perfectly steady current of liquid without
agitation, but when working in such materials as gold or other slimes, it may be
necessary to introduce a revolving brush or "squeegee" or some such device to.
prevent undue accumulation near the base of the cone. Such brush would in no
sense be an agitator, and would not extend into the annular space. Under certain
circumstances I may arrange the portions of the core so that one or both of them
should slide, in order to increase, diminish, or perhaps totally close the circular
slit or feed opening. It may also be convenient to open and close this inter-
mittently.
The lower portions of the core may, if desired, be made hollow and used as an
air vessel to assist in equalising the flow of the liquid through the apparatus. On
the top of this lower portion of the core is formed a cone or "conoid," with
reverse curve at the base, similar to the form to the top of a moulded candle, the
curve being so arranged that the particles falling on this cone from above shall be
checked and eventually launched into the flowing current of liquid at right angles,
or nearly so, to its direction, and therefore without any distinct tendency to
either rise or fall. The upper and hollow portion of the core is made to extend
upwards through the casing to a sufficient height to allow of water standing in it,
to balance the pressure in the apparatus below. At the lower end the internal
diameter may be contracted so that the falling particles will be gathered in towards
the centre, and caused to fall approximately on to the apex of the conoid and so
down its sides to the opening already described.
The material to be separated may be delivered to the apparatus in any
convenient way into a hopper or its equivalent at the top of the tube or connection
leading to the upper portion of the internal core, but the feed must be given with
as great, regularity as possible and according to the capacity of the separator.
The feed may be controlled automatically if desired, and it is desirable to
introduce a grid or sieving arrangement into the lower part of the hopper, of such a
size as to prevent a particle, too large, from passing into the apparatus; and it is
desirable that the material should be sized to uniformity of particles before
entering the separator. The material should be fed in a continuous even stream.
and, passing through the sieve, it will fall through still water on to the conoid
already described, by which it is spread in all directions, and launched around its
base into the upward flowing current of liquid. This is so adjusted, as to speed,
that the lighter particles shall be caught and carried upwards while the denser
ones such as gems, gold, or other metals or materials shall sink through the stream,
and so descend into the base of the apparatus, where double valves or other.
suitable apparatus or provision is made for extracting them. The lighter portions
such as quartz or other material pass upwards to the upper lip of the tube, at
which point, by introducing contractions or properly formed deflectors into the
channel, the requisite speed of the current between them is so maintained as to carry
the particles in solid water over the lip or weir, after which they fall into the channel
leading to the outlet & are carried away. I wish it to be understood that I
introduce the so called core for the purpose of filling up and occupying that
portion of the section of the ascending column of liquid, where otherwise the
current would run faster, by reason of the distance from the sides, which retard it
more or less by skin friction. The annular space is so narrow that the speed
throughout its cross section will be largely equalized by the action of the skin
friction on both sides. Thus the inequalities of speed throughout the stream will
be minimised. Further, the annular space being approximated as nearly as possible.
to the size of the particles to be acted on, such inequalities as may yet exist will
be largely counteracted by the fact that cach particle will extend practically across

page_text: the stream, & thus will be acted on by all variations of speed alike and a mean
established.
For this reason it is important to keep the area of the channel as uniform in
cross section as possible.
By the arrangements described the feed of the particles is effected at right
angles to the direction of the current, & not, as I am aware has already been
done, in the direction of the current, or against it in an opposite direction. The
portion of the tube where the separation of the minerals or other substances takes
place, by virtue of the differing specific gravities of the particles, must be so
arranged as to have an even uniforin rate of flow, but above & below this point
the channel may be widened below, & contracted above, as may be considered
desirable.
It is obvious that occasionally the operation may be reversed, & the valuable
products, if lighter than the gangue, as is sometimes the case, carried over, & the
particles of gangue deposited.
Data and of T1 1002
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wet Upward Current Separators for Treating
Metals, Ores, Gems, or other Minerals or Substances.
I, WILLIAM STRONACH LOCKHART, of 67 Granville Park, Blackheath,
London S.E., in the County of Kent, Ćivil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in wet upward current separators for
effecting the separation of metals, ores, gems, or other minerals from their gangue
or slimes according to their specific gravities, by means of a current of water or
other fluid; and consists in the construction of an apparatus whereby such an
upward flowing current of water or other liquid, is capable of precise regulation,
and control, as to its steadiness and velocity, for the purpose of effecting the said
separation in a more reliable and positive manner than has hitherto been done.
My apparatus consists of a vertical tube, of any shape in cross section, with an
internal core leaving a comparatively narrow space round it, and between it and
the inner walls of the surrounding casing, through which a current of water or
other liquid is caused to flow upwards, and to be delivered at a uniform speed from
a uniform head or source of supply. The tube and its core must be so proportioned
that the channel left between them must be of perfectly uniform area of cross-
section, at and above the point where the separation is to be effected ; and, as the
arrangement of a circular tube with a cylindrical core lends itself most readily to
this end, I shall adopt this form for the purposes of description, although I in no
way limit myself to this particular form. In order to keep the internal core central
with the external tube, it may, in some tubes, be advisable to introduce vertical
fins or ribs between the two, and attached to either one or other, or held in position
by any other means. In tubes which are not cylindrical the form of these may be
arranged with the object of correcting the area of the channel, and rendering it
more uniform that it otherwise would be.
Assuming then a vertical tube of circular cross-section, with a circular core truly
centred in it, the channel for the passage of the liquid current would be an annular
one in cross-section, and by conducting water or other liquid, (with arrangements
where the streain of liquid enters the apparatus as to even supply, and the main-
tenance of a solid stream of water without eddies) to a point of the apparatus below
the base of the tube and anuular channel, and with due provision for preventing
any surging or eddying of the stream, I cause a perfectly solid stream of water or

page_text: other liquid, flowing at an even speed, to rise throughout the annular channel, until
it reaches the top, where it is turned over by a cap forming a syphon-discharge,
and so into one or more inclined channels, terminating in one or more nozzles, to
which may be attached, if desired, a flexible or extendible tube.
The outlet from these nozzles may be raised or depressed, thus forming the
adjustable lower leg of a syphon, by which the speed of the current of water or
other liquid may be adjusted, either in combination with a cock or valve at the
inlet or otherwise, or by the alteration of the head or its equivalent at the liquid
inlet. The nozzles may be provided with a full-way cock or valve, by which the
issue of the stream may be temporarily stopped, whereby a reverse current may be
produced in the feed inlet for the mineral substance, in order to remove any
temporary obstruction, should such occur. The adjustment of the syphon outlet or
outlets may also be utilized to determine the level of the water or other liquid in
this feed inlet, and the level of the feed hopper may likewise be adjusted to
admit of easy escape of excess water where liquid feed is used.
The current may also be controlled more or less by the use of larger.or
smaller jet nozzles or orifices at the outlets, or by the adjustment of the level
of the feed hopper, or by all or any of these arrangements combined or otherwise..
The substances (of whatever nature) to be separated, are introduced in a granular
or powdered form, either with or without a stream of water or other liquid,
through the upper portion of a central core, which, for the purpose, is made hollow,
and is divided from the lower portion by a space approximately equal in width to
the width of the annular channel or space round the core, a circular slit or opening
being thus formed for the passage of the material to be separated.
For slimes, that may have a tendency to clog, I may apply a central extended
core in the centre of the feed tube by which a jarring agitation may be given to
the substances to be treated, to prevent them settling.
Under certain circumstances I may arrange the portions of the core, so that one
or both of them should slide, (in which case the hopper would have to be made
adjustable) in order to increase, diminish, or perhaps totally close the circular
slit or feed opening. It may also be convenient to open and close this inter-
mittently.
The lower portion of the core may, if desired, be made hollow, and used as an
air vessel, to assist in equalizing the flow of the liquid through the apparatus. On
the top of this lower portion of the core is formed a coue or conoid, with reverse
curve at the base, similar in form to the top of a moulded candle, the curve being
so arranged that the particles falling on this cone from above shall be checked
and eventually launched (with the least possible momentum) into the flowing
current of liquid, at right angles, or nearly so, to its direction, and therefore
without any distinct tendency to either rise or fall. The upper and hollow portion
of the core is made to extend upwards through the casing to a sufficient height to
allow of water standing in it to balance the pressure of suction, as the case may be,
in the apparatus below.
In cases where the material to be separated, such as slimes, is so finely
comminuted as to render further classification impracticable by ordinary methods,
this portion of the process may be dispensed with, and the material may be carried
into the feed hopper by means of a stream of water or other liquid. In order to
provide a means of escape for such liquid the feed hopper may be made adjustable
as to height, as already described, and provided with suitable. means of overflow,
and with baffles to prevent the escape of floating particles. The lip of such over-
flow may be set at the precise height at which the water will stand, in the feed
pipe for material, by means of the pressure or suction caused by the other arrange-
ments of the apparatus. Thus, while the solid material carried into the hopper by
the inflowing stream finds its way down the feed pipes by gravity, the water or
other liquid escapes round the lip of the feed hopper.
'
At the lower end, the internal diameter of the feed pipe may be contracted, so
.that the falling particles will be gathered in towards the centre and caused to fall

page_text: approximately on to or about the apex or the conoid, and so down its sides to the
opening already described.
The material to be separated may be delivered to the apparatus in any con-
venient way, into a hopper, or its equivalent, at the top of the tube or connection
leading to the upper portion of the internal core, but the feed must be given with
as great regularity as possible and according to the capacity of the separator. The
feed may be controlled automatically, if desired, and it is desirable to introduce a
grid or sieving arrangement into the lower part of the hopper of such a size as to
prevent a particle too large from passing into the apparatus, and it is necessary
that the material should be sized to approximate uniformity of particles before
entering the separator. The material should be fed in a continuous even stream,
and will fall through still water on to the conoid already described, by which it is
spread in all directions and launched around its base, with little or no momentum,
into the upward flowing current of liquid. This is so adjusted, as to speed, that
the lighter particles shall be caught and carried upwards, while the denser ones,
such as gems, gold, or other metal or materials shall sink through the stream and so
descend into the base of the apparatus, where double valves or other suitable
apparatus or provision is made for extracting them. The lighter portions, such as
quartz or other material, pass upwards, to the syphon discharge of the tube, at
which point, by introducing contractions or properly formed deflectors into the
channel, the requisite speed of the current between them is so maintained as to carry
the particles in solid water over the discharge syphon-head, after which they fall into
the channel leading to the outlets, and cannot collect or return downwards. I
wish it to be understood that I introduce the so called core for the purpose of
filling up and occupying that portion of the section of the ascending column of
liquid, where otherwise the current would run faster by reason of the distance from
the sides, which retard the outer portions of the stream more or less by skin
friction.
The annular space is so narrow that the speed throughout its cross section will be
largely equalized by the action of the skin friction on both sides. Thus, the
inequalities of speed throughout the stream will be minimised. Further, the
annular space being approximated as nearly as possible to the size of the particles
to be acted on, such inequalities as may yet exist, will be largely counteracted by
the fact that each particle will extend practically across the stream, and thus
will be affected by all variations of speed alike, and a mean established.
For this reason it is important to keep the area of the channel as uniform in
cross-section as possible.
By the arrangements described the feed of the particles is effected at right
angles to the direction of the current, and not, as I am aware has already been
done, in the direction of the current or against it, in an opposite direction. The
portion of the tube, where the separation of the minerals or other substances takes
place, by virtue of the differing specific gravities of the particles, must be so
arranged as to have an even, uniform rate of flow, but above this point the channel
may be contracted in diameter, though maintained uniform in width.
It is obvious that occasionally the operation may be reversed, and the valuable
products, if lighter than the gangue, as is sometimes the case, may be carried over,
and the particles of gangue deposited.
And in order that my invention may be the better understood I will now proceed
to describe one form of my apparatus in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed,
reference being had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
:
Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of my liquid gem or mineral separator.
Figure 2 is a detail view of the locked receiving chamber on a smaller scale.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of my apparatus slightly modified as to means for
control of the separating current and particularly applicable to the treatment
of slimes or where the feed of material is accompanied by an excess of liquid
therewith.
I employ a stream of liquid or water supplied at a constant head from any

page_text: ·convenient source and cause the said liquid to enter the separator by the pipe a
controlled by a cock a'. The said water enters the upper part of the stand pipe
through an orifice without sharp corners and protected by a mantle & which so
diverts and spreads the stream that it shall ascend the annular chamber b of the
stand pipe with a constant and uniform stream avoiding eddies or variations of
current, by the accurate and uniform sectional area of the annular passage d
through which it flows.
The material which has been previously classified enters the separator by gravity
through the feed hopper c. The mineral material as it descends falls upon or about
the conoid and is thus checked and discharged with the least possible momentum
outwards through the annular passage d¹ into the upward flowing stream at right
angles to its course.
The heavier particles such as metals or precious stones fall gradually through
the upward flowing stream and are received into the locked receptacle e which is
provided with a door f by which the gems or heavy minerals may be removed
from time to time. The lighter particles such as sand or gravel being buoyed up
by the upward flowing stream are carried by it over the syphon-discharge outlet or
outlets g, the stream being still controlled so that it is solid and unbroken to
prevent the collection or return of the lighter particles.
The outlets g may be controlled by cocks or valves and terminate in
nozzles g² to which may be added if desired flexible tubes adjusted at any desired
height to vary the length of the discharge end of the syphon outlets.
In order that the receptacle e may be cleared without stopping the action of the
machine insert a valve h operated by a push and screwed spindle so that it
can be closed on a seating 2 to cut off the receptacle e from the flowing stream
and body of the apparatus. The outer wall of the annular tube b may be of glass
so that the internal action of the machine at the point of separation may be seen
from the outside.
A special further control of the speed of the separating current may be obtained
by the ends of the outlets having flexible tubes in addition to regulating
cocks g¹ and nozzles g³ connected thereto. The height of these outlets as a syphon
may thus be adjusted by clamps on a fixed standard m (Fig. 3) .The upper part
of the core n is also in this case made adjustable and as a consequence the level of
the feed hopper C is also adjustable by the screwed tube p and gland q with lock
nut q¹.
Where it is desired that a considerable flow of liquid should accompany the
material into the hopper, or where slimes carrying finely comminuted minerals are
to be treated, the lip of the adjustable hopper C may be set to form an easy over-
flow for the excess liquid. The edge of the hopper is turned over into a sur-
rounding trough by which the excess liquid is conveniently carried off and baffle
plates S may be used so, that whilst the excess liquid passes quietly away as an
overflow the finely comminuted particles will be directed so as to fall into the
apparatus by gravity for final separation.
The central conoid d is in this case fitted with a bart extending upwards to the
feed hopper, which bar may be agitated to prevent any tendency of the mineral
matter to choke in the central supply pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is:
:-
1st. A hydraulic separating apparatus having a gravity feed of carefully sized
minerals of various densities delivered with the least possible momentum through
dead water; and an annular orifice into an upward flowing stream of liquid in a
vertical annular stand pipe of uniform sectional area approximated in cross section
to the size of minerals treated; a syphon discharge outlet or outlets; and a locked
collecting chamber at the bottom of the stand pipe substantially as described and
illustrated herewith.

page_text: 2nd. In a hydraulic separating apparatus a hollow central core containing dead
water in its upper part and receiving a gravity feed of mixed minerals; a conoidal.
foot-step therein; and an annular discharge orifice; in combination with an
external tube, preferably of glass, containing a uniform upward flow of liquid or
water, as and for the purposes stated, substantially as described.
3rd. In a hydraulic separating apparatus the combination with the parts above.
claimed, of a discharge syphon head with one or more outlets for the stream of
liquid arranged so that the outlet is without sharp edges forming eddies, and is of
such sectional area that the discharge stream or streams remain solid and an
approximately uniform speed is maintained over the bend of such outlet and down
to the discharge outlets, substantially as described.
4th. In a hydraulic separator the combination with the parts above claimed of
an inlet for the liquid or water supply formed without sharp edges or corners and
with a reverse mantle to control and steady the incoming stream, substantially as.
described.
5th. In a hydraulic separating apparatus the combination with the parts above.
claimed of a locked receptacle at the bottom of the stand pipe and a shut-off valve
between the receptacle and the liquid supply pipe to enable the locked receptacle
to be opened without stopping the action of the apparatus, substantially as.
described.
6th. In a hydraulic separating apparatus, the combination with the annular
separating channel and accessory details as above claimed, of means for control of
the velocity of the upward current, consisting of cocks at the inlet and outlets;
reducing nozzles at the outlets; flexible outlet pipes adjustable as syphons for
height of discharge; adjustable inner core and feed hopper for determining height.
of inner standing head of liquid employed individually or in combination for the
purpose, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of March 1893.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.