Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning or Washing Pyrites, Coal and other Minerals.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1898
"
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning or Washing Pyrites, Coal
and other Minerals.
We, CUTHBERT BURNETT, of The Grange, near Durham, in the County of
Durham, Engineer, and HENRY THORNTON NEWBIGIN, of 15, Chester Crescent,
Newcastle, in the County of Northumberland, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
.. This invention has for object to clean or wash pyrites, coal and other minerals
in a more thorough and expeditious manner than heretofore. For this purpose.
we provide apparatus with a moving perforated or openworked surface covered
with the pyrites coal or other mineral to be washed and from the under side of
which water under a suitable head or pressure is forced so that it forcibly pene-
trates the mineral and thereby cleans or washes it from its earthy or other
impurities.
Sometimes in addition to the upwardly flowing water currents we may employ
water supply from above.
The moving surface is in the form of an endless flexible or articulated moving
belt or apron with upstanding sides or working in a trough and we provide under
its upper part which conveys the mineral an open box or chamber or chambers
or nest of pipes having jet openings or slits for the exit in an upward direction
of water under pressure and as required we provide means for regulating the
flow or pressure of water in various parts of the belt. The belt is provided with
dams.
In order to secure the highest attainable efficiency of the washer we propose
to deliver the mineral on to or over the washing apparatus by an automatic
sprinkling arrangement.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning or Washing Pyrites, Coal
and other Minerals.
We, CurBERT BURNETT, of The Grange, near Durham, in the County of.
Durham, Engineer, and HENRY THORNTON NEWBIGIN, of 15, Chester Crescent,
Newcastle, in the County of Northumberland, 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:.
-
This invention has for its object to clean or wash pyrites coal and other

page_text: materials in a more thorough and expeditious manner than heretofore. For
this purpose we provide apparatus with a moving perforated or openworked grid
like surface covered with the pyrites or other material and. from the underside
of which water under a suitable head or pressure is forced, so that it forcibly
penetrates the mineral and thereby cleans or washes it from its earthy and
other impurities. Sometimes we make the moving surface in the form of an
endless inclined flexible or articulated moving belt or apron and provide under
its upper part or member, which conveys the mineral, a box or chamber or cham-
bers or nest of pipes having jet openings or slits for the exit in an upward direc-
tion of water under pressure, regulated by automatic or other means the water
passing along between upstanding sides of the belt in the opposite direction of
the motion of the belt, so that the water along with the lighter particles of the
material are delivered at the lower end of the belt, and the heavier particles at
the upper or higher end of same. The belt is by preference provided with dams.
In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated the invention and a suitable
manner of carrying it into effect.
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation and Fig. 2 an end elevation of a washing plant
according to our invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view.
The crushed pyrites or other mineral is delivered by the elevator A into
the hopper B from which it is supplied to the washing machine by means of
a mechanical feeding or sprinkling appliance such as a jigging tray or worm
or paddle feed, in order to provide a steady and uniform supply of the mineral.
The washing machine is supplied with water from the cistern E at a pressure
suitable for the mineral to be cleaned. We prefer to use an automatic arrange-
ment to maintain the water supplied at a constant pressure. The drawing shews
one form of such an appliance, the cistern E see Figs. 2 and 2ª is divided into
two compartments by a partition E between which portions communication may
be made through grated openings in the said partition by a roller valve E made
of sheet rubber or other suitable flexible sheet material which at its upper end
is fixed to the partition and at its lower end fixed to a roller E. The latter is
connected to a float 2 by a cord E3 passing over the pulley 0; the roller E is
weighted and closes the valve automatically. The water supply is drawn from
the smaller compartment of the cistern and it is evident that if the water in
the larger compartment is maintained at a higher level, the counter action of
the float and roller valve acting through the cord over the pulley will cause
the water in the smaller compartment of the cistern to be kept at a uniform
level the sinking of the float opening the valve sufficiently to admit as much
water from the larger compartment of the cistern as is being drawn off from the
smaller.
The washing machine is set at an inclination suitable for the material to be
washed and works in such a manner that the water together with the lighter
portions of the mineral treated, are delivered on to a gauze or other suitable
separating medium at the lower end of the machine, so that water is drained
off and discharged down the spout M (into the settling tank K) while the lighter
portions of the mineral are delivered into the hopper F and the heavier portions
are by the operation of the machine carried to the higher end and delivered into
the hopper G.
From the hoppers F and G the cleaned materials may be delivered into waggons
at J and I. The water from the settling tank K may be delivered back to the
large compartment of the cistern E by means of suitable centrifugal or other
valveless pump H through the delivery pipe L.
The power necessary to drive the moving portion of the washing machine may
be obtained from any convenient shaft and pulley N.
Figures 1 and 2 shew one washing machine only, we may however in some
cases use several machines placed side by side and may use one for each grade
of the crushed mineral, or we may alter one machine so as to suit each, for
which purpose we may vary the inclination of the machine, the pressure of water,

page_text: or the speed and the fineness of the porous medium through which the water
passes as explained hereafter. We may also in some cases give a pulsating effect
to the water by causing it to pass through a pump of large area and small stroke
or other suitable appliance before entering the machine or we may produce a
pulsating effect by providing in the pipe a throttle valve or other valve which
by an eccentric on the shaft V and an eccentric rod causes the said valve to be
intermittently opened and shut. We may also cause the washing machine to be
jigged in a side ways direction. We may also supply additional water on the
top of the belt. Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 shew details of a suitable form of
the washing machine mentioned above.
Figure 3 shews a longitudinal section, Figure 4 an end elevation of the delivery
end and Figure 5 a plan of the machine. By reference to these and to the
detail views Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 it will be seen that the machine consists of a
chamber or trough like portion C having supported within its sides upon suitable
brackets, the water supply portion C with the water inlet C and the adjustable
tail plate C Fig. 3 the use of which latter shall be presently explained. Over
and under the water this water supply portion C₁ is an endless travelling band
or belt having upturned sides or side flanges the said belt sliding along under
and over the water supply portion C in such a manner as to compel the water
from C to pass in an upward direction through the open portions of the belt C+.
The endless belt C is supported upon the wheels or drums C which are secured
to suitable shafts working in bearings attached to the upper sides of the trough C.
The belt is driven by gearing S S in the opposite direction to the flow of the
water. In order to take up any slack and wear we make one pair of these
bearings to be adjustable in any usual and suitable manner. At each end of the
trough C and fixed between its sides we provide perforated screens P and Q in
order that the mineral and its refuse may in passing over them be drained of
the water used in washing it; this used water passes away at the spout C into
the pipe M and tank K Fig. 1. In order to secure a free delivery of the lighter
portions of the mineral which are carried down with the water on to the screen Q
we may provide a delivery plate R hinged at its lower end and resting upon the
belt at its upper. The open portions of the belt C+ are fitted with a porous mem-
brane or gauze U referred to later on upon the upper surface of which the mineral
to be washed is distributed.
In order to prevent any of the heavier portion of the mineral from being
washed downwards, we provide the belt above the porous membrane with cross
bars or dams, C7 Figs. 7 and 9 referred to later on. We may also for this purpose,
in addition make the closed portion or tail plate C3 adjustable (as shown by the
dotted line in Fig. 3) so that when drawn back into the dotted position or into
any intermediate position it will allow part of the water to pass through the belt
again, but in the opposite direction and thereby re-deposit upon it a portion of
the mineral which had been carried downward by the water and allow it to be
re-washed. In order to prevent any of the heavier mineral from being carried
past the screen P, we provide a spray pipe T from which jets of water are sent
against the underside of the belt C causing any mineral adhering to its upper
surface to be washed off.
C
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 show in detail the manner in which we prefer to make
the belt, which in this form is of metallic construction and is formed of a number
of sections or links connected together. The link is shown in section in Figure 8.
It consists of 3 or more cross bars having end plates or flanges c¹ to which are
attached sides which project in an upward and downward direction. The
link has projecting gudgeons Fig. 7 by means of which the links are attached
together. The bar e we may make set at an angle as shown in order to more
perfectly direct the flow of water in an upward direction, the sides we make
so that those of the adjacent links overlap. The gudgeons c³ we make part circular
in section and with a portion cut away so that when the gudgeons of two adjacent
links are connected together by the sleeves they may be allowed to move

page_text: through an angle sufficient for them to pass around the wheels C. On the top
surface of the link as described above we place one or more thicknesses of wire
gauze or other porous material U which is held in place by the grid c, as shewn
most clearly in Fig. 9 where the parts c c and U are shown apart. The cross
bars of this grid also form the dams already mentioned. Where two thicknesses
of material are used we make the upper one stronger and coarser in order to
protect the lower one from wear.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-
The machine is set at a suitable angle for the material to be washed so that
the water after coming through the gauze U of the belt C+ from the water supply
portion flows between the upturned sides c² of the belt towards the screen Q
the underside being closed between these points by the tail plate Cover which
the belt slides. The belt C is caused to travel in the opposite direction to the
flow of water. The crushed mineral is supplied on to the upper surface of the
belt at a point above the water supply portion C. The upward flow of the water
from C through the porous membrane U lifts the lighter portions of the mineral
carries them downwards over the delivery plate R on to the screen Q, while the
heavier portions remain on the belt and are delivered on to the screen P.
We have now particularly described one method by which we may carry out
our invention. It is evident however that it may also be carried out in several
other ways, as for example, the sides may be fixed and the horizontal surface
of the belt only moved, and instead of a metallic grid-like belt covered with
porous material a porous belt of canvas or other non-metallic material may be
used.
It is also to be noticed that with minerals in which the refuse is the lighter
such as in the case of pyrites, the refuse will be delivered at the lower end of
the belt and the pyrites at the higher, while in the case of minerals in which
the refuse is the heavier such as coal the refuse will be delivered at the higher
end and the coal at the lower.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a mineral washing apparatus an endless inclined belt of an open or
porous nature or form between upstanding sides in combination with a water
supply device arranged between the two webs of the belt and adapted to project
the water up, through the upper web so that the water together with the lighter
parts of the mineral are delivered at the lower end of the belt and the heavier
parts of the mineral delivered at the upper end of the belt, and automatic or
other means for regulating the action of the water substantially as set forth.
2. In a mineral washing apparatus an endless inclined belt of grid bars with
end gudgeons and with flanges and with upstanding sides attached to the latter,
said gudgeons being made in two parts with sleeves pushed over them and so
formed that the last bar of one belt link, and the first bar of the next belt link
form a complete grid bar with a radial joint between them, pieces of porous
fabric fixed on the belt links, and a water supply device arranged between the
two webs of the belt and adapted to project the water up through the grids and
porous fabric of the upper web substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a mineral washing apparatus an endless inclined belt of an open or
porous nature or form between upstanding sides in combination with a water
supply device of bent tube shape arranged between the two webs of the belt
and adapted to project the water up through the upper web and a spray pipe for
washing off any material adhering to the upper surface of said web substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a mineral washing apparatus an endless inclined belt of an open or porous
nature or form between upstanding sides in combination with a water supply
device arranged between the two webs of the belt and adapted to project the

page_text: water up through the upper web, a trough wherein the belt works, and perforated
screens at the ends of the trough substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a mineral washing apparatus an endless inclined belt of an open or porous
nature or form between upstanding sides in combination with a water supply
device arranged between the two webs of the belt, a trough wherein the belt
works, an outlet spout thereon for the used water, a perforated screen for the
outlet of the lighter portions of the mineral at the same end, a perforated screen
at the other end for the outlet of the heavier portions of the mineral, receptacles
for the used water and the lighter portions, and for the heavier portions of the
mineral, a tank for water delivery to the aforesaid water supply device and a
pump for returning the used water to the tank substantially as set forth.
6. A mineral washing apparatus of substantially the construction described in
combination with a water tank divided in two compartments, openings in the
partition wall, a roller valve on one side of said wall for covering and uncovering
said openings, and a float connected to said valve for the purpose of automatically
regulating the water level on the other side of said wall substantially as set forth.
Dated this Seventh day of September 1899.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.