METHOD OF SEPARATING MINERALS Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC B07C5/346 

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to concentration of minerals, particularly, to radiometric separation of ores by linear factor of penetrating radiation attenuation, and may be used in concentration of diamond-bearing ores. Proposed method comprises conveying material, irradiating by penetrating radiation, registering radiation intensity at material flow opposite side, defining characteristics of minerals and extracting them to magnitude of definite characteristic. Minerals are fed as multilayer flow with air gaps filled by absorbing immersion medium, a loose material, and levelling produced mix thickness. Mix irradiation is performed at linear factor of loose material loosening equal to mean linear factor of separated material loosening, for all its components, with due allowance of their weight ratio. Intensity of penetrating radiation is registered by coordinate sensitive detector on mix opposite side. Instruction is generated to separator subject to measured radiation intensity overshoot compared to mean value over its cross-section. Area of maximum-size crystal is taken for parameter preset range upper limit. Area of minimum-size crystal is taken for parameter preset range lower limit. Intensity of penetrating radiation is registered by multichannel ionisation chamber or semiconductor diode matrix. Aqueous mineral suspension or modified ore pulp is used s immersion medium.

EFFECT: higher efficiency of separation, higher yield and ecological safety.

8 cl, 2 dwg