HYDRAULIC DENSITY SEPARATION DEVICE

Abstract

A hydraulic density separation device for separating a heavy material fraction with components of higher density from a light material fraction with components of lower density from a feed material includes a conveying device for conveying away the heavy material fraction, receiving chamber which can be filled with water for receiving the feed, a flow generator for generating a water flow in the receiving chamber and a water-fillable separation chamber for receiving the light material fraction. The conveying device has a shaft with a screw conveyor section for conveying the heavy material fraction out of the receiving chamber. The flow generator is designed and arranged such that a flow path of the water flow leads from the receiving chamber into the separation chamber. The conveying device has, in addition to the screw conveyor section, at least one washing section having a plurality of separate paddles arranged on the shaft.

Claims

1. A hydraulic density separation device for separating a heavy material fraction with components of higher density from a light material fraction with components of lower density from a feed material, comprising: a conveying device for conveying away the heavy material fraction; a receiving chamber which can be filled with water for receiving the feed material; a flow generator for generating a water flow in the receiving chamber; and a water-fillable separation chamber for receiving the light material fraction; wherein the conveying device has a shaft with at least one screw conveyor section for conveying the heavy material fraction out of the receiving chamber; wherein the flow generator is designed and arranged in such a way that a flow path of the water flow leads from the receiving chamber into the separation chamber; and wherein the conveying device has, in addition to the screw conveyor section, at least one washing section having a plurality of separate paddles arranged on the shaft.

2. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of screw conveyor sections is provided, a washing section being arranged between two adjacent screw conveyor sections; and/or wherein a plurality of washing sections is provided, with the screw conveyor sections and the washing sections being arranged alternately with respect to one another.

3. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein the washing section comprises one of the following: between 2 and 52 paddles, between 4 and 36 paddles, and between 12 and 24 paddles.

4. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein the winding of the screw conveyor section extends over a range between 360? and 1440?.

5. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 2, wherein adjacent washing sections have a different number of paddles and/or differently formed and/or arranged paddles and/or wherein adjacent screw conveyor sections have differently formed windings.

6. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein the paddles are arranged at an angle on the shaft in such a way that a material transport of the heavy material fraction in the conveying direction of the shaft also takes place in the region of the respective washing section, and/or wherein a plurality of paddles are arranged one behind the other in relation to a longitudinal direction of the shaft and/or wherein a plurality of paddles are arranged one behind the other in a circumferential direction of the shaft.

7. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a radial paddle length is at least substantially equal to a web height of the winding of at least one adjacent screw conveyor section.

8. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is arranged and mounted at an angle ? with respect to the base, the angle ? being one of the following: between 8? and 85?, between 10? and 70? and between 12? and 20?; and/or wherein the shaft is mounted with its one shaft end in the region of the receiving chamber and with its other shaft end in the region of a discharge opening of the heavy material fraction.

9. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein an outflow opening of the flow generator opens into the receiving chamber and/or wherein the separation chamber is designed as a suction chamber for the flow generator.

10. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 9, wherein the receiving chamber has a curved deflection area for the water flow at least substantially opposite the outflow opening and/or below the shaft; and/or wherein a center axis of the outflow opening runs below a central longitudinal axis of the shaft.

11. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a weir is arranged between the receiving chamber and the separation chamber.

12. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a further conveying device for discharging the light-weight fraction is assigned to the separation chamber.

13. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 12, wherein the conveying direction of the further conveying device extends at least substantially opposite to the conveying direction of the conveying device; and/or wherein the receiving chamber and/or the separation chamber are arranged and designed in such a way that the flow path of the light material fraction into the separation chamber is deflected by 90?+/?20?.

14. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a suction device is provided which is designed to suck off and/or suck in dirty water from the receiving chamber and/or from the separation chamber; and/or wherein a feed device is provided for feeding fresh water into the receiving chamber and/or into the separation chamber.

15. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 1, wherein a separating plate is arranged at least in regions between the receiving chamber and a conveyor housing in which the shaft is arranged.

16. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 7, wherein the distance between the outermost upper edge of the winding and/or of the paddle and one of the adjacent housing walls of a conveyor housing in which the shaft is arranged is one of the following: at least 30 mm, between 40 mm to 900 mm, and between 100 to 200 mm.

17. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 9, wherein a suction pipe, which is arranged at least in regions in the separation chamber for sucking in water located in the separation chamber, is associated with the flow generator.

18. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 11, wherein the flow path for the light material fraction extends from the upper region of the receiving chamber via the weir into the separation chamber.

19. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 12, wherein the further conveying device has a riddle and/or vibrating screen and/or wherein the conveying plane of the further conveying device runs at least in regions below the upper edge of the weir.

20. The hydraulic density separation device according to claim 14, wherein the inflow opening of the feed device is provided below and/or in the region of the shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0070] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0071] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a flow generator,

[0072] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a flow tube,

[0073] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a conveying device,

[0074] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a further design form of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0075] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the hydraulic density separation device shown in FIG. 6,

[0076] FIG. 8 is a further side view of the hydraulic density separation device shown in FIG. 6,

[0077] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a flow generator,

[0078] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the flow generator shown in FIG. 9,

[0079] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the flow generator shown in FIG. 9,

[0080] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0081] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective side view of a further embodiment of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0082] FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment of a hydraulic density separation device according to the invention,

[0083] FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of a conveyor housing and a receiving chamber,

[0084] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a conveyor housing, and

[0085] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a density separation device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] FIGS. 1 and 17 show different embodiments of a hydraulic density separation device 1. The density separation device 1 is intended for separating a heavy material fraction 2 with components of higher density from a light material fraction 3 with components of lower density from a feed material 4. FIG. 1 shows the feed material 4, which can be separated into the heavy material fraction 2 and the light material fraction 3. The fractions 2, 3 are not shown in detail in FIG. 17 and in the other figures for reasons of clarity.

[0087] It is understood that water has been introduced into the density separation device 1 for its operation. However, the water or the water level is not shown in more detail in the embodiments shown.

[0088] The density separation device 1 comprises a conveying device 5 for conveying away the heavy material fraction 2, as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, FIG. 1 shows that the density separation device 1 has a receiving chamber 6 which can be filled with water to receive the feed material 4. FIG. 1 further shows that the feed material 4 is fed into the receiving chamber 6. Feeding can be carried out by a conveyor belt, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, or by other feeding means, such as an excavator. Also, the feeding of the feed material 4 can take place continuously or discontinuously.

[0089] In this context, it is understood that during operation the receiving chamber 6 is at least partially filled with water, the water itself being used for the separation process. Thus, the components of the heavy material fraction 2, which have a significantly higher density than the water, sink to the bottom of the receiving chamber 6 and are conveyed away by the conveying device 5. The light material fraction 3, which has components with lower or the same density as water or even slightly higher density than water, rises due to the buoyancy. Thus, the components are hydraulically separated on the basis of their density.

[0090] FIG. 1 further shows that the density separation device 1 has a flow generator 7 for generating a water flow in the receiving chamber 6. The flow generator 7 can be assigned to the receiving chamber 6, but does not have to be arranged in it, as can be seen in FIG. 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the flow generator 7 is arranged in a flow tube 31, which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. FIG. 3 shows the flow tube 31 and the flow generator 7 arranged therein. The flow tube 31 can thus protect the flow generator 7 from external mechanical damage. The outflow opening 23 of the flow tube 31 can open into the receiving chamber 6, as shown in more detail in FIG. 15.

[0091] In addition, the density separation device 1 comprises a separation chamber 8 which can be filled with water to receive the light material fraction 3. The separation chamber 8 can also serve to supply water for the flow generator 7, in particular to implement a closed flow circuitbut it does not have to.

[0092] FIG. 1 shows that the conveying device 5 has a shaft 9 with at least one screw conveyor section 10 for conveying the heavy material fraction 2 out of the receiving chamber 6. The conveying device 5 is at least partially arranged in the receiving chamber 6.

[0093] The further section of the conveying device 5, which can also be arranged in the water, can be arranged in a conveyor housing 19, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 6, for example. Water can also be present and/or partially filled with water in the feed housing 19 during operation of the density separation device 1.

[0094] The flow generator 7 shown in FIG. 1 is designed and arranged in such a way that a flow path of the water flow leads from the receiving chamber 6 into the separation chamber 8. This flow path leads in particular to the light material fraction 3 being guided from the receiving chamber 6 into the separation chamber 8 via this water flow.

[0095] Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that the conveying device 5 has, in addition to the screw conveyor section 10, at least one washing section 12 having a plurality of paddles 11 arranged on the shaft 9.

[0096] In FIG. 5 the washing section 12 is shown with different or separate paddles 11. In further embodiments, the paddles 11 can be arranged on the shaft 9 in such a way that they preferably follow the spiral line of at least one adjacent screw conveyor section 10. However, this is not shown in more detail in the figures.

[0097] Finally, the paddles 11 may be arranged around the circumference of the shaft 9 in the area of the washing section 12 and serve at least for washing and cleaning the heavy material fraction 2. In further embodiments, but not shown in more detail, the paddles 11 are arranged in the washing section 12 such that they are aligned to follow the helix of the adjacent screw conveyor section 10, as explained previously. In particular, the helix and/or the helix pitch of the winding 13 of all screw conveyor sections 10 is at least substantially the same.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows that the paddles 11 are arranged at a distance from each other and can thus also be provided separately from each other. The paddles 11 are in particular firmly connected to the shaft 9.

[0099] FIG. 2 shows that a plurality of screw conveyor sections 10 is provided, wherein a washing section 12 is arranged between two adjacent screw conveyor sections 10. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that a plurality of washing sections 12 is also provided, in particular wherein the screw conveyor sections 10 and the washing sections 12 are arranged alternately to each other. In any case, a screw conveyor section 10 should be provided at the beginning of the shaft 9 and also at its end.

[0100] The washing section 12 can have differently designed paddles 11 or a different number of paddles 11 depending on the desired cleaning result. In particular, it is envisaged that a washing section 12 has between 4 and 24 paddles 11, as shown in more detail in FIG. 5.

[0101] In FIG. 14, it is shown that the screw conveyor section 10 comprises a helix forming a winding 13. The winding 13 may extend over a range between 360? to 1440?. FIG. 14 further shows that different windings 13 of the screw conveyor sections 10 are provided. For example, the screw conveyor section 10 provided in the central area of the shaft 9 extends at least substantially over approximately 360?, whereas the outer screw conveyor sections 10 each have a winding 13 that is greater than 360? and lies between 360? and 720?.

[0102] It is not shown in detail that adjacent washing sections 12 can have a different number of paddles 11. Also, the paddles 11 of adjacent washing sections 12 may have different designs.

[0103] As explained above, FIG. 14 shows, for example, that adjacent screw conveyor sections 10 have differently designed windings 13.

[0104] It is not shown in more detail that the helix pitch of adjacent screw conveyor sections 10 can also be designed differently.

[0105] The paddles 11 are in particular arranged at an angle on the shaft 9 in such a way that a material transport of the heavy material fraction 2 in the conveying direction F of the shaft 9 also takes place in the area of the respective washing section 12.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows that a plurality of paddles 11 is arranged one behind the other in relation to the longitudinal direction L of the shaft 9 and a plurality of paddles 11 is arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the shaft 9.

[0107] It can be seen schematically from FIG. 6 that the radial paddle length 14 is at least substantially equal to the web height 15 of the winding 13 of at least one adjacent screw conveyor section 10. In particular, the web height 15 of all screw conveyor sections 10 is constant, wherein the radial paddle length 14 of all paddles 11 of the conveyor device 5 can also be constant. The distance 16 between the outermost upper edge 17 of the winding 13 and of the paddle 11 and an adjacent housing wall 18 of the conveyor housing 19 can also preferably be constant over the length of the shaft 9 and in particular be between 100 and 200 mm.

[0108] FIG. 6 also shows an angle ? between the centre axis A of the shaft 9 and the ground and/or a line running parallel to the ground. This angle ? can be between 10? and 70?, preferably between 12? and 20?.

[0109] Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows that the shaft 9 is mounted with its one shaft end 20 in the area of the receiving chamber 6 and with its other shaft end 21 in the area of the discharge opening 22 of the heavy material fraction 2. The position can be provided in such a way that a rotation of the shaft 9 is possible. In the area of the discharge opening 22, a support of the conveyor housing 19 can also be provided, as schematically shown in FIG. 6.

[0110] FIGS. 7 and 8 show different side views of the sealing device and also the arrangement of the opening 32.

[0111] FIG. 13 schematically shows that the heavy material fraction 2 can be discharged from the conveyor housing 19 via a discharge opening 22.

[0112] In FIG. 14 only a section is shown, namely the conveyor housing 19, so that in particular the arrangement of the conveyor device 5 becomes apparent.

[0113] FIG. 15 shows the density separation device 1 without the separation chamber 8, so that a weir 26 and an outflow opening 23 are visible in relation to the conveyor device 5.

[0114] As previously explained, FIG. 15 in particular illustrates that the outflow opening 23 of the flow generator 7 opens into the receiving chamber 6. This outflow opening 23 can preferably be formed by the end opening of the flow tube 31 in which the flow generator 7 is arranged.

[0115] FIG. 2 shows that the separation chamber 8 is designed as a suction chamber for the flow generator 7, wherein a suction pipe 24 is assigned to the flow generator 7 in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, which is arranged at least in some areas in the separation chamber 8 for the suction of water located in the separation chamber 8. The suction pipe 24 does not have to be directly connected to the flow tube 31, as can also be seen in FIG. 2. Finally, the flow generator 7 can draw in the water that can be made available to the flow generator 7 from the separation chamber 8 via the suction pipe 24 through an opening 32 of the flow tube 31, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0116] FIG. 2 shows schematically that the receiving chamber 6 has a curved deflection area 25 for the water flow at least in the area opposite the outflow opening 23 and/or below the shaft 9. The curved deflection area 25 can in particular be formed as a segment/cutout of a cylinder jacket.

[0117] Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows that the centre axis M of the outflow opening 23 runs below the centre axis A of the shaft 9.

[0118] FIG. 17 shows schematically that the weir 26 is arranged between the receiving chamber 6 and the separation chamber 8, in particular whereby the flow path for the light material fraction 3 runs from the upper region of the receiving chamber 6 via the weir 26 into the separation chamber.

[0119] In addition, FIG. 17 shows that a further conveying device 27 is provided for conveying the light material fraction 3, which is associated with the separation chamber 8. The further conveying device 27 can be arranged at least in some areas in the separation chamber 8, and in particular can also be arranged in the water in some areas during operation of the density separation device 1. The further conveying device 27 can have a shaking and/or vibrating screen. The conveying level 28 of the further conveying device 27 can run at least in some areas below the upper edge 29 of the weir 26, which is shown schematically in FIG. 17.

[0120] Furthermore, FIG. 17 shows that the conveying direction R of the further conveying device 27 runs at least essentially opposite to the conveying direction F of the conveying device 5.

[0121] Furthermore, FIG. 17 shows that the receiving chamber 6 and the separation chamber 8 are arranged and designed in such a way that the flow path of the light material fraction 3 in the separation chamber 8 is deflected, in particular by 90?+/?20?.

[0122] It is not shown in more detail that a suction device can be provided, which is designed to suck off and/or suck in dirty water from the receiving chamber 6 and/or the separation chamber 8, in particular wherein density measurement sensors are assigned to the suction device. It is also not shown in more detail that a feed device is provided for feeding fresh water into the receiving chamber 6, in particular wherein the inflow opening of the feed device is provided below and/or in the region of the shaft 9.

[0123] FIG. 2 shows a separating means 30, which can preferably be designed as a separating plate and is preferably arranged at least in some areas between the receiving chamber 6 and the conveyor housing 19. In principle, a plurality of separating means 30 can also be arranged in the conveyor housing 19.

[0124] The conveyor housing 19 can be designed to be watertight in the water-bearing area.

[0125] It is not shown in more detail that the flow velocity of the flow generator 7 is adjustable, in particular for varying the degree of separation of the density of the components of the light material fraction 3.

[0126] Also not shown in more detail is that an overflow device may be provided for the receiving chamber 6 and/or separation chamber 8, which may for example be an overflow chute. In addition, a control device can be provided which can interact either with the density measurement sensors and/or the level sensors in the receiving chamber 6. This control device can be used to control the operation of the density separation device 1 as required.

[0127] The method according to the invention uses the density separation device 1 shown in the figures, which is filled with water for operation, so that the receiving chamber 6 and, if required, also at least in some areas the separation chamber 8 are filled with water.

[0128] The feed material 4 can then be fed in, for example via conveyor belts or via an excavator shovel.

[0129] The operation of the flow generator 7 then generates a water flow in the receiving chamber 6, which leads from the receiving chamber 6 into the separation chamber 8 and in particular leads to the entrainment of the light material fraction 3, wherein the light material fraction 3 can thus be led from the receiving chamber 6 into the separation chamber 8. Due to the gravitational effect, the components of the heavy material fraction 2 sink into the lower area of the receiving chamber 6 and are conveyed away via the conveyor 5.

[0130] The components of the light material fraction 3 rise due to the buoyancy effect and are also carried along by the water flow. The density of the components of the light material fraction 3 can be lower than the density of the water used or only slightly higher than the density of the water used. Preferably, the light material fraction 3, together with water, is led over the weir 26 into the separation chamber 8.

[0131] In particular, a closed water circuit is provided so that the water in the separation chamber 8 can be made available again to the receiving chamber 6 via the flow generator 7. However, it can also be provided that fresh water is always supplied to the receiving chamber 6.

[0132] The light material fraction 3 can preferably be conveyed away via the further conveying device 27, in particular wherein this is designed as a shaking and/or vibrating screen.

[0133] The heavy material fraction 2 is both conveyed away by the conveying device 5 and cleaned and/or washed in the area of the washing sections 12. The residual fraction, which is separated from the heavy material fraction 2 in the area of the washing sections 12, can in particular dissolve in the water or remain in the water in the conveyor housing 19 and, for example, be discharged by draining the water from the conveyor housing 19 after switching off the density separation device 1.

[0134] The separated heavy material fraction 2 is at least substantially freed from the residual fraction by the cleaning in the washing sections 12 and has in particular a high degree of purity.

[0135] However, the separation process between the heavy material fraction 2 and the light material fraction 3 does not take place in the area of the conveyor housing 19, but in the receiving chamber 6. In the area of the conveyor housing 19 and thus also through the washing sections 12, only a cleaning of the heavy material fraction 2 takes place and no separation of the light material fraction 3. The light material fraction 3 is thus not affected by the residual fraction of the heavy material fraction 2 loosened up by the washing sections 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0136] 1 Density separation device [0137] 2 Heavy material fraction [0138] 3 Light material fraction [0139] 4 Feed material [0140] 5 Conveying device [0141] 6 Receiving chamber [0142] 7 Flow generator [0143] 8 Separation chamber [0144] 9 Shaft [0145] 10 Screw conveyor section [0146] 11 Paddle [0147] 12 Washing section [0148] 13 Windings [0149] 14 Paddle length [0150] 15 Web height [0151] 16 Distance [0152] 17 Top edge [0153] 18 Housing wall [0154] 19 Conveyor housing [0155] 20 Shaft end [0156] 21 Other shaft end [0157] 22 Discharge opening [0158] 23 Outflow opening [0159] 24 Suction pipe [0160] 25 Deflection area [0161] 26 Weir [0162] 27 Further conveyor [0163] 28 Conveying level of 27 [0164] 29 Upper edge of 26 [0165] 30 Separating means [0166] 31 Flow tube [0167] 32 Opening in 31 [0168] F Conveying direction of 5 [0169] L Longitudinal direction of 9 [0170] M Central longitudinal axis of 23 [0171] A Central longitudinal axis of 9 [0172] R Conveying direction from 22 [0173] ? Angle