Tumbler cell for mineral recovery using engineered media

US11440026B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES LLC · US

Inventors

• Paul J. Rothman · Windsor, US
• Mark R. Fernald · Enfield, US
• Peter A. Amelunxen · Hattiesburg, US
• Paul DOLAN · Portland, US
• Timothy J. Bailey · Longmeadow, US
• Michael Ryan · Allentown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 28, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 28, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B03B7/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Apparatus uses engineered collection media to recover mineral particles in a slurry. The apparatus has a tumbler cell and a rotation device to rotate the tumbler cell. The tumbler cell has a container to hold a mixture of the engineered media and the slurry containing the mineral particles. The container is turned such that at least part of the mixture in the upper part of the container is caused to interact with at least part of the mixture in the lower part of the container. As such, the contact between the engineered media and the mineral particles is enhanced. The surfaces of the engineered media are functionalized with a chemical having molecules to attract the mineral particles to the surfaces so as to form mineral laden media. After the mineral laden media are discharged from the tumbler cell, the mineral particles can be separated from the engineered media by stripping.