Drive module and its uses, a flotation plant and a method of changing of the drive module

Abstract

A drive module which is a self-supporting structure being transferable and hoistable as an integral entity. The drive module includes a self-supporting framework having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The self-supporting framework defines an inner space within the self-supporting framework. The drive module also includes at least two drive units. The drive units are supported to the self-supporting framework in the inner space of the self-supporting framework. The drive units are connectable to an external rotatable shaft for the rotation of the rotatable shaft located outside the drive module.

Claims

1. A drive module selectively detachable from flotation tanks of a flotation plant, wherein the drive module is a self-supporting structure being transferable and hoistable as an integral entity, the drive module comprising: a self-supporting framework having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the self-supporting framework defining an inner space within the self-supporting framework, and at least two drive units, the at least two drive units being supported to the self-supporting framework in the inner space of the self-supporting framework, each of the at least two drive units including a drive shaft having a connection flange supported thereon, wherein the connection flange of each of the at least two drive units is located at the bottom of the inner space and is connectable to an external rotatable shaft for the rotation of the rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being located outside the drive module.

2. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises: a motor; and a reduction gear connected to the motor, the motor comprising an output shaft, the output shaft being connected to the reduction gear, and that the drive unit comprises a drive shaft, the drive shaft being connectable to the reduction gear and the drive shaft is connectable to the external rotatable rotor shaft.

3. The drive module according to claim 2, wherein the drive module comprises: a frame, the frame being fixed to the self-supporting framework and configured to support the motor, the reduction gear unit and the drive shaft.

4. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the drive module comprises: a gas feed pipeline for supplying flotation gas.

5. The drive module according to claim 4, wherein the gas feed pipeline is located in the inner space of the self-supporting framework above and offset in relation to the drive units.

6. The drive module according to claim 4, wherein the drive module comprises: a flow meter connected to the gas feed pipeline for measuring the rate of flow of the flotation gas.

7. The drive module according to claim 4, wherein the drive module comprises: a flow rate controller connected to the gas feed pipeline for regulating the rate of flow of the flotation gas.

8. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the drive module comprises: measurement equipment for the measurement of liquid level in a flotation tank, when in use.

9. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the drive module comprises: a froth camera for detecting bubble size of a froth, when in use.

10. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting framework comprises a maintenance platform.

11. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting framework comprises a cable tray for supporting electric cabling.

12. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting framework is made of metal beams to form a rectangular parallelepiped.

13. The drive module according to claim 1, wherein the drive module comprises 2 to 6, preferably 2 to 4, drive units.

14. A flotation plant comprising a drive module according to claim 1.

15. A method of operating the drive module, comprising: providing a drive module according to claim 1; and separating material by flotation based on differences of buoyancy properties of substances, or separating solid material by froth flotation based on differences of hydrophilic properties of substances, or concentrating ore by froth flotation, or flotation of substances containing abrasive material, or froth flotation of ore containing pyrite, silica, or chromite.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 are axonometric views of the drive module according to one embodiment of the invention, the drive module being seen obliquely from above,

(3) FIG. 3 shows the drive module of FIGS. 1 and 2 seen obliquely from underneath,

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing one of the drive units of the drive module of FIGS. 1 to 3,

(5) FIG. 5 is a cross-section V-V from FIG. 4, and

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of the drive module with additional furnishings and external rotatable shafts being attached to the drive units,

(7) FIG. 7 is a view VII-VII of the drive module of FIG. 6, and

(8) FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the self-supporting framework of the drive module according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a drive module 1.

(10) The drive module 1 is usable in connection with a group tanks wherein mixing, flotation or similar operations are implemented and wherein there are rotors or impellers attached to external rotatable shafts which when being connected to the drive units 4 contained in the drive module 1 can be rotated by the drive units 4.

(11) It should be noted that the principles according to the invention can be implemented regardless of the specific type of the flotation, i.e. the flotation technique can be any of the known per se flotation techniques, such as froth flotation, dissolved air flotation or induced gas flotation.

(12) The drive module 1 is a self-supporting structure which can be transferred and hoisted as an integral entity. The drive module 1 comprises a self-supporting framework 2 having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

(13) The self-supporting framework 2 is made of metal beams which welded together to form a space frame structure with a shape of the rectangular parallelepiped. The self-supporting framework 2 defines an inner space 3 within the self-supporting framework. Further, the drive module 1 comprises four drive units 4. The number of drive units 4 can be e.g. two to six, preferably two to four, depending on the number of external rotatable shafts to which the drive units 4 are supposed to be connected.

(14) The drive units 4 are supported to the self-supporting framework 2 in the inner space 3 of the self-supporting framework 2.

(15) As can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7, the drive units 4 are connectable to an external rotatable shaft 5 for the rotation of the rotatable shaft 5. The rotatable shaft 5 is located outside the drive module 1.

(16) A preferable embodiment of the drive module 1 and its self-supporting framework 2 is that they are compatible to intermodal freight container standards whereby they have dimensions and corner fittings which enable intermodal transportability.

(17) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the drive unit 4 comprises a motor 6 and a reduction gear 7 connected to the motor 6. The motor 6 comprises an output shaft 8. The output shaft 8 is connected to the reduction gear 7. The drive unit 4 comprises a drive shaft 9. The drive shaft 9 is connected to the reduction gear 7 and the drive shaft is connectable to the external rotatable rotor shaft 5 e.g. by a bolted flange joint 21 (see FIG. 6). For this purpose the lower end of the drive shaft 9 has a connection flange 22 (see FIG. 4).

(18) Referring to FIG. 4, the drive module 1 comprises a frame 10. The frame 10 is fixed to a bottom of self-supporting framework 2 and configured to support the motor 6, the reduction gear unit 7 and the drive shaft 9.

(19) As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 5, the drive module 1 comprises a gas feed pipeline 11 for supplying flotation gas and a cable tray 17 for supporting electric cabling. The gas feed pipeline 11 and the cable tray 17 extend along the length of the drive module 1.

(20) Especially FIG. 5 shows that the gas feed pipeline 11 and the cable tray 17 are located in the inner space 3 of the self-supporting framework 2 so that they are above the level in relation to the level of the drive units 4. Also they are offset in relation to the drive units 4 so that they do not hinder or interfere hoisting of the drive unit 4 in an upwards direction. During installing and removing the drive units 4 pass by the gas feed pipeline 11 and the cable tray 17.

(21) As shown in FIG. 5, the gas feed pipeline 11 is connected in fluid communication with the drive shaft 9 and the external rotatable rotor shaft 5. Both the drive shaft 9 and the rotor shaft 5 are hollow and thus are able to conduct the flotation gas.

(22) The drive module 1 further comprises a flow meter 12 which is connected to the gas feed pipeline 11 for measuring the rate of flow of the flotation gas. A flow rate controller 13 is connected to the gas feed pipeline 11 for regulating the rate of flow of the flotation gas.

(23) In FIGS. 6 and 7 some additional equipment connectable to the drive module 1 is shown. The drive module 1 may also comprise a measurement equipment 14 for the measurement of liquid level in a flotation tank (not shown), when in use in froth flotation. The drive module 1 may also comprise a froth camera 15 for detecting bubble size of froth, when in use in froth flotation. Preferably, the self-supporting framework 2 also comprise a maintenance platform 16 (see also FIG. 1) that enables easy access to the inner space 3 of the self-supporting framework 2 for e.g. maintenance of the various equipment contained in the drive module.

(24) The drive module 1 may also be equipped with a variety of other equipment that can be installed already at the manufacturing site. When needed, the drive module 1 may contain e.g. a water pipeline for supplying water to an overflow receptacle which receives the overflow from the froth flotation tank, a gas suction pipeline for recirculating the flotation gas (needed for work safety reasons e.g. in froth flotation of molybdenum wherein the flotation gas is poisonous), a roofing on top of the drive module, and shields that cover the sides of the self-supporting space frame metal beam framework for shielding the equipment furnished inside the framework from harsh environmental conditions (sunshine, rain, sandstorm, ice, snow etc.).

(25) Reference is made to FIG. 8. As an alternative to the metal beam structure of the self-supporting framework 2 that is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the self-supporting framework 2 may also have a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that comprises a floor 18, two side walls 19, and two end walls 20 defining the inner space 3, as is shown in FIG. 8.

(26) A flotation plant may comprise a drive module as described.

(27) If the drive module needs maintenance and cannot be maintained at its installation place, it can be can be lifted off as one entity and replaced by another drive module.

(28) If the tanks underneath the drive module need maintenance, then the drive module can be lifted off from the top of the tanks to gain access to the tanks.

(29) It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.