IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF ORES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING OR SORTING MIXTURES OF OTHER SOLID MATERIALS A
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF ORES, AND
IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR SEPARATING OR SORTING
MIXTURES OF OTHER SOLID MATERIALS A communication from abroad by
Louis de Soulages of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF ORES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, ALSO APPLICABLE
FOR SEPARATING OR SORTING MIXTURES OF OTHER SOLID MATERIALS, a communi-
cation from abroad by Louis de Soulages, of Paris, France.
This invention has for its object the mechanical separation of ores but is also
applicable for separating other materials.
According to this invention the separation of various solid materials mixed
together is effected by first breaking and sorting the largo pieces, crushing and
drying the product, sorting according to volume and finally sorting according to
density in the following manner :
The large pie es are first broken by the hammer into small pieces of 0.25 metres
and less, which are then further reduced to pieces of 0.025 metres and less by an
ore crusher preferably that of Blake.
The product of the latter is delivered to a pulverizer consisting of a pair of
horizontal stee. rollers which are made slightly conical and receive the material
through a revolving cylindrical sieve placed in the hopper.
As a drying apparatus I use a conical barrel which receives the product from the
pulverizer at the thin end, is enclosed in a metallic casing and heated by gas, the
surface of the conical barrel being formed by a helix of flat iron. The barrel has
an approximately horizontal axis and receives a slow rotary motion.
Prins 21

page_text: For sorting the material according to volume, I use a machine consisting chiefly
of three concentric sieves having the shape of truncated cones and revolving slowly
on their axis. The innermost sieve receives the product discharged from the
drying apparatus and retains all pieces which have more than 3 millimetres
diameter, while the smaller pieces fall on the second sieve which retains the pieces
having more than 2 millimetres diameter, letting the others fall on the third sieve
which retains the pieces which have more than 1 millimetre diameter. The
apparatus for sorting the mixture according to density may be constructed as
follows:
In one end of a sheet metal casing of considerable length is mounted a ventilator
drawing air through several apertures and discharging it into the casing, while
the powdered product falls from a distributing cylinder in front of the air outlet
and is carried away by the air to a distance depending on the density of the
material. Instead of drawing the air directly from the atmosphere through the
said apertures it may be supplied from a reservoir which communicates with
the atmosphere. Another type of separator consists essentially of two parallel
platforms placed at a certain distance above each other, the upper platform
receiving the powder from a central shaft, from which it falls on the revolving
lower platform, and is carried towards its circumference by centrifugal force, the
heaviest particles falling into a circular channel, while the lighter particles pass
over the circumference and fall on the bottom of the casing which surrounds the
platforins.
The distance between the two platforms can be regulated at will. The successive
apparati of the system are connected by inclined channels through which the
product of one apparatus falls into the succeeding apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd November 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF ORES, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, ALSO APPLICABLE
FOR SEPARATING OR SORTING MIXTURES OF OTHER SOLID MATERIALS, a communi.
cation from abroad by Louis de Soulages, of Paris, France,
This invention consists in processes and apparatus for separating mixed solid
materials, and more especially ores, according to their bulks and degrees of density
by means of air currents, after having desiccated the particles of dust at a
temperature of about 200 degrees Centigrade.
The separation of various agglomerated materials by means of a current of air,
embraces the following operations, viz:-
Sorting by the hammer; breaking; crushing; drying; classifying for bulk; and
classifying for density.
1. Sorting by the hammer.-This operation consists in separating the barren
stone or waste material from the ore or valuable stuff, after having first hammered
the large sized pieces to break them up and reduce them to fragments not
exceeding 0.25 metres.
2. Breaking. According to the varying requirements of each particular case let
such breaking tools be used as may best suit the character of the stone to be dealt
with, Blake's stone-breaker (see Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings) may be
recommended in preference to other kinds.
Working at the rate of one revolution per second and supplied with a charge
consisting of pieces not exceeding 0.25 metres in diameter, this machine will
readily reduce the stones to 0.025 metres particles, or even smaller than that. Its
work per 24 hours will be equal to over 40,000 kilogrammes of stuff reduced, while
the power required need not exceed 5 EP.
3. Crushing. The mills used nowadays for this purpose, may be classified under
two heads, namely the Compressing Mills, and the Rammer Mills.
The former should be used in preference, whenever the materials worked upon
embrace a wide range of relative hardness; while the latter should be employed in
the case of materials of the same, or very nearly the same, degree of density. The
Compressing Mill (Fig 2) designed for this process consists of two horizontal rollers
terminating in slightly cone-shaped cast iron hubs and provided with steel jackets.
They are preferably one metre long and 0.40 metres in diameter, one of them being
driven, and the other loose. The mill further comprises a distributing cylinder of
same length as the two last named and the diameter of which may measure
0.30 metres. This cylinder is made of sheet metal and is perforated with orifices
0.025 metres in diameter.
The rollers are fed by the distributing cylinder which, turning round at the rate
of nine revolutions per minute, supplies them at every turn with about
3 kilogrammes of material, crushed sinali.
The stuff dropping into the hopper which surrounds the distributing cylinder,
pours out regularly over the entire length of the crushing rollers, which latter
revolving at the rate of nine turns to the minute, will reduce the material,
according to the distance at which they are set apart, to granular dust ranging
between 3 to 1 millimetre in diameter.
As a Rammer crushing mill, Vapard's Pulveriser (Fig 2b) may be advantageously
employed. It works well, its only drawback being that it requires a somewhat
excessive driving power.
If these two kinds of crushing mill be brought into requisition according to the
circumstances of particular cases, it will always be found possible even when the
substances constituting the mixture are of the same density, to obtain a product
varying in volume, which will readily separate in order of density.

page_text: 4. Drying (Fig 3) This operation is the base of the new system of separating
the deads or waste material from the ore, whether the waste material is simply
mixed with the ore or dispersed in the latter as crystals; in either case the
evaporation of the water by heat-forces the small particles of mineral having
from 0.001 to 0.003 metres diameter to divide into two parts, namely waste
material and ore, which are afterwards easily classified according to their volume
and density. This operation is performed with the aid of a metal cylinder of
conical shape preferably about 4 metres in length, and 1 metre in diameter on the
discharge side, and 0.80 metres at its anterior part which constitutes the inlet for
the ores.
A metal plate about 0.20 metres high divides its circuit internally into 40 helical
compartments.
This cylinder revolves round its horizontal axis, and is boxed in with a metal
casing. It is heated by means of three perforated rails, through which escapes the
gas that is consumed by the external air as and when it issues forth. It enters the
box at the lower part of it and escapes, after combustion, through a flue situate in
the upper part of it. The effect of the heat generated is to vaporise all the water
held by the materials under treatment.
The drying cylinder revolves nine times per minute; and it is made to receive
3-0864 kilogrammes of ground stuff per revolution.
The total length of the helical channel formed by the said metal plate is about
125 metres. Each particle of ore is made to stay 4 minutes and 27 seconds in
contact with the heated air and hot metal, which interval of time is more than
sufficient to secure the evaporation of all the water contained in materials so finely
granulated.
5. Classifying for bulk. (Fig 4) The mechanism for this purpose consists of a
metal frame containing 3 concentric conical barrels, fitted one over the other and
formed of perforated sheet metal. The innermost barrel is 3 metres in length and
has a diameter of 0.40 metres at the entrance end, and of 0-70 metres at the exit
end. It is covered with perforated sheet metal, the orifices of which have a
diameter of 0.003 metres. It receives the dust or siftings, which proceed from
the drying apparatus, in its anterior parts; allows everything not exceeding
0.003 metres in diameter to strain through, but rejects any stuff of larger grain
which is then cast into the crushing mill.
The barrel next outside the above, has a metal envelope perforated with holes of
0.002 metres in diameter. It admits all siftings not exceeding 0702 metres in
diameter, blocking out anything beyond that limit of dimension.
The outermost barrel has a sheet metal cover perforated with holes of
0.001 metres in diameter. It admits any dust not exceeding 001 metres in
diameter, and excludes anything surpassing that degree of fineness.
This machine makes 18 revolutions per minute, and receives in its inside cylinder
1.264 kilogrammes of powdered stuff at every revolution.
These three barrels are fitted internally with a row of brushes, which keep the
perforated plates constantly free from obstruction.
6. Classifying for density. This work is accomplished by means of a new machine
'which I designate by the name of Ventilo-Separator. The Ventilo-Separator is
made to three different patterns, according to the character of the stuff to be dealt
with. The first kind which I call the Direct Ventilo-Separator consists of a metal
chamber of considerable length and which is closed in at the end where the wind
escapes. At its front end is a large fan sucking in the air through six openings,
and forcing into the chamber the siftings which are made to drop in front of the
outlet of its blast by the agency of a distributing cylinder. Under the influence of
the combined forces of gravitation and wind pressure, the powdered stuff settles
down in the chamber according to the order of its several densities, in such a
manner that the densest portions stop nearest the blast, and the lighter ones at the
opposite extreme of the chamber.
The second kind which I call the Sucking Ventilo-Separator differs from the one

page_text: just described only to this extent, namely, that instead of drawing in the air
through its own openings, it is made to take it from a reservoir in communication
with the outer air; whereby a larger measure of regularity is secured in the
working of the blast.
The third kind is that to which I have given the name of Centrifugal Ventilo-
Separator (Fig 5). This machine would be used in the large majority of cases,
because of the amount of duty it is capable of doing, and the small power required
to work it.
It consists of two sheet metal trays, resting upon a light iron frame, inclined
one towards the other, and circular in shape. Between the two there is an empty
space, adjustable at will, since the top tray is connected with the one underneath
simply by means of four screw pins, which facilitate the arrangement of the
intervening space as may be required.
The upper tray extends upward, funnel fashion, and over this is fixed the
distributing cylinder which pours in the stuff. The lower tray is firmly attached
to an upright shaft connected with the driving pulley. A circular channel or
funnel surrounds the outlet of the lower tray and leads the product downward
through inclined channels or shoots. As soon as this machine is started by means
of the driving shaft connected therewith, and attains a sufficient speed, a vacuum
will be produced in the middle of the two trays. Then the siftings dropping from
the distributing cylinder into the funnel, are powerfully drawn in between the two
trays and driven away beyond the trays under the influence of centrifugal force.
In this centrifugal course the intensity of which may be regulated at will,
according to the space made to intervene between the two trays, and to the speed
of rotation, as may be required from the volume and the density of the materials
under treatment-the densest portions of the materials will be held back and will
drop into the circular gutter, while the lighter stuff will be shot away outwards
and drop into the interior of the chamber of the machine.
The above operations proceed automatically every one of them. No attendant
is required to interfere, as they run their course from one part of the machinery to
another in regular sequence by means of closed connecting tubes.
The various apparatus constituting the machinery as a whole, should be set up
on sloping ground, so that the tubes conveying the materials from one section to
another may lie at an angle of 45°.
Not every one of the machines herein described for sorting or separating solid
substances will be found equally serviceable as applied to the diversified needs of
distinct industries. For every species of work, that one amongst the machines
must be selected which may be best adapted for the separation of the mixed
materials to be dealt with.
In metallurgical works, they will each and all be found of great use in the
mechanical preparation of ores. The connection, more or less close, between the
attle and the ore is, as we know, always the result of adhesion, from compression
of a layer of moisture placed in juxtaposition, or else it is the effect of the
crystallization of matter.
Take for example the treatment of a hydrated brown iron ore, presenting the
composition given hereunder, and we shall readily understand the course and
character of the operation.

page_text: that will be 18.05 x 400 = 7220 kilogrammes of water which being abstracted
from the 40,000 kilogrammes, will leave us 32,780 kilogrammes of siftings free
from water. These 32,780 kilogrammes will be divided by the Ventilo-Separator
into 19992 kilos. of enriched ore, consisting of 19,040 kilograinmes of peroxide of
iron together with 952 kilogrammes of adhering attle stone (such being the
maximum of inseparable worthless deads met with in certain exceptional ores);
and into 12,788 kilogrammes of detached attle.
In applying the process to the mechanical preparation of gold bearing sands or
auriferous lodes, found crushed in, owing to the high temperatures in the regions
where such are embedded, as well as to the great difference between the density of
the gold and that of the substances associated with such deposits, artificial drying
will in most instances be unnecessary; and as regards sands merely, even the
crushing may be dispensed with.
Fig 1 represents a Breaker, A. A are cast steel jaws, C is a shoot for supplying
ore to the jaws. D tube for transporting the broken ore. L cast iron frame of
breaker. P P driving pulleys.
Fig 2 represents a Roller Crushing Mill in vertical section, and Fig 2 bis the same
in plane A is a roller propelled by wheel G which gears into the pinion H. B loose
roller. C distributing cylinder of sheet metal perforated with holes 0.025 metres
in diameter. D D shafts of rollers. E shaft of distributing cylinder. F shaft of
driving pinion. G wheel fixed to shaft of roller A. H driving pinion. I driving
pulley actuating pulley J. J pulley of distributor. M collar of axle. N retaining
spring for loose roller. O resting plate for spring aforesaid. PP cast iron frame.
Qtube to deliver ore into distributor. R hopper surrounding distributor to
keep siftings from straying. S inclined tube carrying crushed ore into drying
machine.
Fig 3 represents a drying machine in longitudinal elevation, while Fig 3 bis shows
a section from A to B' of Fig 3. A is a cylinder of strong sheet metal. B B are
40 annular spaces between the helical partitions. C Height of helical dividing
wall inside cylinder. DD curved blades placed inside the cylinder.
EE cross
bars attaching the casing to shaft of cylinder: F shaft of cylinder. G tube to
convey crushed ore from crushing mill. H H Inlet pipe for carbonic oxide gases.
H' outlet for same gases.
I egress of dried siftings in direction of assorter or
classifier. K toothed wheel attached to shaft F and driven by L. L driving pinion.
M shaft of same. NN empty space around cylinder.
Fig 4 is a vertical section of a sorting machine or classifier for bulk. Fig 4 bis
section along line A' B'-Fig 4ter section along C₁ D¹ of Fig 4. A sheet metal
cylinder, perforated with holes measuring 0.003 metres in diameter, and receiving
the powdered stuff from the drying machine. B barrel concentric to cylinder A,
perforated with holes of 0.002 metres in diameter, and receiving the grains of
0.003 metres and under. C barrel concentric to cylinder B, perforated with holes
of 0.001 metres in diameter, and receiving the grains of 0.002 metres and under.
D stuff, rejected by cylinder A as exceeding the thickness of 0.003 metres, and
which drops into E to return again to the crushing mill. D' stuff rejected by
cylinder B as being coarser than 0.002 metres, and which drops down into F.
D" Stuff rejected by cylinder C, as being coarser than 0·001 metres, and which
drops down into G. H stuff passing cylinder C as being finer in grain than
0001 metres. I tube for conveying material from drying machine into A. J shaft
of machine. K driving pulley. M M outer frame for cylinders. N N cross bars
connecting cylinders with driving shaft.
Fig 5 is a vertical section of a sorting machine or classifier for density, or
centrifugal Ventilo-Separator. Fig 5 bis is a section along line A" B". A upright
shaft, bearing and driving the trays D and E. A'A' brackets of shaft A. B tube

page_text: upplying the raw-material, shaken by the touch of the rods each striking once in
turn. Chopper extension from tray D, receiving the raw material and drawing in
the wind. D upper tray. dd screws to adjust the distance between the trays D
and E. E E iron ledges of tray E. EE metal sheathing of tray E, extending
into F. F outlet for the heaviest materials. G fixed shoot enclosing the tube F.
H driving pulley. I footstep for upright shaft A. K K outshoot of dust. JJ frame.
L L curve described by the heaviest material dropping into F.
It is evident that some details of construction may be varied without departing
from the nature of the present invention, the dimensions stated in the specification
are those found most suitable in ordinary cases, but may be adapted to different
circumstances.
What I claim is:-
1. Drying ores or other materials, after having been broken or crushed to pieces
varying from 0.001 to 0.003 metres diameter, at a high temperature (about
200° Centigrade) in order to remove by evaporation the small quantity of water
contained in the particles of ore treated, and thereby to destroy the adhesion of the
deads or sterile mineral with the ore before the pulverized material is sorted
according to volume and density.
2. Separating the pulverulent materials according to volume and density after
having been dried, by means of apparatus substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. The peculiar shape and mode of action of the special apparatus described, in
particular of the apparatus for sorting by volume and the ventilo-separators,
substantially as described and illustrated.
4. The combination of different machines substantially as and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my