METHOD OF LIFTING MINERAL FROM UNIT OF UNDERWATER MINING AND DEVICE FOR ITS EMBODIMENT Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: mining; applicable in mineral mining from bottom of water reservoirs. SUBSTANCE: method includes transportation of mineral by means of flowing medium in the form of stable foam at pressure of at least 0.1 MPa above static pressure on sea bottom where unit operates. Foam is supplied through circular nozzle over bottom of conical loading chamber of mining unit, and mineral is pressed into loading chamber by mining mechanism through artificial plug from the same mineral. Formed mixture is accelerated in the same chamber and transported to board of ship on which foam is suppressed and mineral is separated. Device for mineral lifting including floating vessel with equipment for production of transportation agent, pipelines, underwater mining unit with mining mechanisms, loading chamber with channels of introduction of transportation agent and loading members for mineral supply. Conical loading chamber is made in mining unit central part. Its lower part is made in the form of skirt from flexible material, and circular nozzle is made above chamber bottom. Circular nozzle has circular bore connected with pipeline supplying stable foam under pressure. Circular slot is made above circular nozzle between chamber and end faces of mining mechanisms. Artificial plug from mineral closes circular slot extending into chamber at an angle of repose. Installed on floating vessel is equipment for preparation of stable foam and compressor for building up foam pressure. Compressor is connected by pipeline supplying prepared foam to underground mining unit. Pipeline coming from mining unit chamber is ended on vessel in foal suppression device and mechanism for mineral separation. EFFECT: increased reliability of mineral lifting from depths of 200 m and more. 2 cl, 2 dwg