Method of recovery of precious metals & heavy minerals
US6682005B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Raw material containing precious metals and heavy minerals is introduced into a comminuting chamber. The raw material falls onto rotating chains which drive the material against the side wall of the chamber with sufficient velocity to cause the raw material to fracture. Air flows upwardly at the side wall and classifies the particles into a first fraction which falls to the floor of the chamber and a second fraction which is carried upward to a trommel. Large particles from the trommel are recycled to the chamber while fines are discarded as tailings. The rate of upward flow of air in the chamber, the rate of rotation of the chains and the size of particles separated by the trommel are all adjusted in order to ensure that the particles that collect on the floor of the chamber are rich in precious metals and heavy minerals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.