Method and apparatus for increasing the yield in a deposit
US8955918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/0019
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method is provided for increasing the yield in a deposit comprising a rock that includes a valuable mineral, which can be exposed by virtue of the rock being comminuted, and at least one further mineral, wherein the valuable mineral has a higher density than the at least one further mineral, which method includes: carrying out a drilling operation using a drilling tool prior to the rock being extracted, drillings being generated in the process; forming an aerosol comprising the drillings and a gas stream; transferring the aerosol from the drilling tool to at least one air separator; carrying out hydraulic classification, wherein at least two fractions comprising in each case equal-falling particles of the drillings are formed; and determining a property which belongs to at least one of the fractions and is used as a measure for setting an optimum degree of comminution of the rock.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.