Process enhancement of vibrating classifier for tailings classification-dewatering and industrial application

To reduce environmental pollution and wastage of resources and to promote the large-scale utilization of tailings, classification-dewatering is a key technical challenge. The vibrating classifier efficiently separates minerals according to particle size, while the vibrating energy drives water out. However, the screen apertures of the vibrating classifier can be blocked easily, resulting in a poor classification-dewatering effect. In this study, an elastic screen surface for classification-dewatering is proposed to replace the rigid screen surface of a traditional vibrating classifier, eliminating the problems of easy plugging and low efficiency. The surface kinematics of the elastic screen under simple harmonic excitation is studied. The output energy of the screen surface increased by 10% compared with the input energy of the excitation source. In addition, the random elastic deformation of the screen's apertures contributed to the rupturing of water film in apertures. The effect of exciting parameters and concentrations of tailings on the classification-dewatering is also investigated. The optimum values for excitation force, working frequency, and the concentration of tailings are 9.66 kN, 15.62 Hz, and 35%, respectively. Moreover, the classification and dewatering efficiencies are 80% and 53%, respectively. Industrial production shows that coarse tailing sand exhibits a moisture content of 18%, while the fine particles are used for paste filling. These results provide support to the comprehensive utilization of tailings and promote green and safe production in mines (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study proposes an elastic screen surface for improving the classification-dewatering effect of a vibrating classifier. The surface kinematics of the elastic screen and the random elastic deformation of the screen's apertures were found to play a positive role in classification-dewatering. By adjusting the exciting parameters and tailings concentration, optimal classification and dewatering efficiencies can be achieved.