METHOD OF HYDRAULIC CLASSIFICATION OF FINE-FRACTION MATERIALS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: hydraulic classification of fine-fraction materials. SUBSTANCE: method consists in delivery of hydraulic mixture to gravitational settler in metered amount from pulp line or receiver where metered portions of liquids and solid phases are mixed; delivery is effected through diffuser-type branch pipe provided with labyrinth screen; fine fraction in form of secondary hydraulic mixture flows by gravity to thin-walled thickener. Particles of solid phase contained in tertiary hydraulic mixture located in upper portion of thin-walled thickener flow by gravity to next thickener or to settler or to hydraulic mine dump or circulating water receiver and sediment is directed for further fraction-by-fraction separation by pump or to hydraulic mine dump in case of cleaning of liquid phases of hydraulic mixture. Changeable laminarization units are arranged in gravitational settler or in at least one thin-walled thickener; these units have inclined passages made from pipes of rectangular, square or rhombic section varying in height. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of separation of fine-fraction materials at increased amount of separated fractions; continuous separation. 17 cl, 4 dwg