Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02567643 2006-11-09
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A SLURRY
Field of Invention
This invention relates to ore processing. In particular, this invention
relates to a
method and apparatus for creating a slurry from oil sand.
Background of the Invention
The Northern Alberta Tar Sands are considered to be one of the world's largest
remaining repositories of oil. The tar sands are typically composed of about
70 to
about 90 percent by weight mineral solids, including sand, silt and clay,
about 1 to
about 10 percent by weight water, and a bitumen or oil film, that comprises
from trace
amounts up to as much as 21 percent by weight.
Unlike conventional oil reserves, the bitumen is extremely viscous and
difficult to
separate from the water and mineral mixture in which it is found. Generally
speaking,
the process of separating bitumen from the tar sands comprises five broad
stages.
Initially in the first stage, the oil sand is excavated from its location and
passed
through a crusher or sizer to break down or comminute the ore into conveyable
pieces. The crushed ore is then typically combined with hot process water to
aid in
liberating the oil. The combined comminuted tar sand and hot water is
typically
referred to as a "slurry." Other agents, such as chemical aids (for example
including
caustic, surfactant, pH adjuster, dispersant) may be added to the slurry.
The slurry is passed through a slurry box in which the slurry is allowed to
mix and
dwell for a period, primarily to ensure a proper suction head and a constant
flow of
slurry to a slurry pump. The slurry output from the slurry box is pumped
through a
hydrotransport conduit and preferably transported an appropriate distance to
condition
the slurry, and is typically passed through an extraction facility for
separating the
bitumen froth from the slurry. Typically the mineral matter is separated from
the
slurry using specific gravity separation, such as PSV's (Primary Separation
Vessels)
and hydrocyclones. After the slurry has been processed to remove the optimal
amount
of bitumen, the remaining material (commonly referred to as tailings) is
typically
routed into a tailings deposition site.
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It has been recognized that, since the bitumen comprises a relatively small
percentage
by weight of the ore initially extracted, separation of the mineral content
from the ore
as soon as possible after excavation would lead to the most efficient and cost
effective
mining process. Over the years, a variety of processes have been used to
process and
transport the ore from the excavation site. Initially, oil sand excavation and
transport
were completely mechanical via trucks or conveyor belts from the mine face to
a large
facility for crushing and conditioning the tar sand. As described in Canadian
Patent
No. 2,029,795, it was determined that it was preferable to crush the ore at a
slurry
preparation facility located at an intermediate site and combine with hot
process water
to create a slurry in which could be hydraulically transported by a pipe. This
"hydro-
transport" process served the dual purpose of efficiently transporting the
slurry from a
site near the mine face to a more permanent facility and allowed time for the
slurry to
be sufficiently conditioned on route. Provided the hydro-transport was over a
large
enough distance that the dwell time in the pipe was sufficiently long, the
slurry would
arrive at the separation facility already conditioned. Thus, the previously
required
separate conditioning step could be omitted from the process.
While hydro-transport solved some of the difficulties with transporting the
ore from
the mine site face to the separation facility, it did not address the fact
that in open pit
mining the mine site face moves as ore is excavated, increasing the distance
to the
slurry facility. Solutions to date have typically relied on constructing
longer conveyor
belts to transport the ore, or use additional trucks, to move the ore from the
mine face
to the slurry facility at the intermediate site.
Prior art slurry facilities are stationed in a fixed location. There thus
exists a need to
increase the efficiency of excavation and transport processes to reduce
operating
costs.
It would accordingly be advantageous to provide an apparatus for creating a
slurry
that is mobile and can be advanced as the distance from the slurry facility to
the mine
face increases.
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Summary of the Invention
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile
slurry apparatus
for creating a slurry from oil sand ore. The apparatus includes a frame, a
slurry box
supported by the frame, and a water supply in communication with the ore or
the slurry
box, whereby water is mixed with the ore to form a slurry that is retained in
the slurry
box. The frame includes a base having a first set of spaced apart support
points for
supporting the frame in a stationary mode, and a second set of spaced apart
support points
for supporting the frame in a moving mode, the second set of spaced apart
support points
being closer together than the first set of support points and defining a
lifting region
disposed beneath a centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a moving mode
when the
slurry box is empty, whereby a moving device can be positioned beneath the
second set
of support points for lifting and moving the slurry apparatus.
A centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus in the moving mode may be in a
different
position from a centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a stationary mode
when the
slurry box contains a slurry.
The apparatus may include at least one ore size regulating apparatus in
communication
with the slurry box
The ore size regulating apparatus may include a comminuting apparatus for
directing
comminuted ore to the slurry box.
The apparatus may include a hydrotransport pump for receiving the slurry from
the slurry
box and pumping the slurry out of the slurry facility.
The apparatus may include a power supply detachably coupled to the apparatus.
The slurry apparatus may be grounded by a detachable cable connecting the
slurry
apparatus to a remote electrical ground site.
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,
The apparatus may include an emergency pond outlet for discharging fluid to a
pond in
case of emergency.
The water supply may wet the ore before or as the ore enters the comminuting
apparatus.
The apparatus may have pontoons operable to support the frame in the
stationary mode.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method
of moving
from a first site to a second site a slurry facility. The slurry facility
includes a
comminuting apparatus in communication with a slurry box, whereby comminuted
ore is
fed to the slurry box, and a frame including a base having a first set of
spaced apart
support points for supporting the frame in a stationary mode and a second set
of spaced
apart support points for supporting the frame in a moving mode, the second set
of spaced
apart support points being closer together than the first set of support
points. The method
involves the steps of, in any order, (i) emptying the slurry box and
disconnecting
electrical lines and water supplies and a hydrotransport line, and (ii)
deploying a moving
device beneath the base to lift the frame. The method also involves the steps
of lifting the
frame at the second set of support points, moving the slurry facility to the
second site,
lowering the slurry facility until it is supported on the first set of support
points, and
reconnecting the electrical lines and water supplies and the hydrotransport
line.
The step of emptying the slurry box may change a centre of gravity of the
slurry
apparatus to within a region bounded by the second set of support points.
A centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus when the slurry box is empty may
be in a
different position from a centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus when the
slurry box
contains a slurry.
The method may involve at least one ore size regulating apparatus in
communication
with the slurry box
The moving device may be a Lampson Crawler.
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The step of deploying a moving device beneath the base may involve the step of
aligning a lifting platform of the Lampson Crawler with at least one locator
tab associated
with the second set of support points.
The step of deploying a moving device beneath the base may involve the step of
aligning a lifting platform of the Lampson Crawler with a set of locator tabs
associated
with the second set of support points
The step of reconnecting the electrical lines may involve the step of
connecting a
detachable cable connected to a remote electrical ground site.
The step of emptying the slurry box may involve the step of flushing the
slurry box.
The method may involve the substep of actuating jacks disposed under the first
set of support points to raise the frame.
The method may involve the step of laying crane mats at positions
corresponding
to the first set of support points.
The method may involve lowering the slurry facility until it is supported on
pontoons attached to the slurry facility.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile
slurry
apparatus for creating a slurry from oil sand ore. The apparatus includes a
frame having a
lower base for supporting the frame and a slurry box supported by the frame.
The slurry
box defines a first center of gravity for the slurry apparatus, the first
center of gravity
being in a first region located proximate to the slurry box when the slurry
box contains a
slurry. The apparatus includes provisions for receiving water for
communication with the
ore or the slurry box, whereby water is mixed with the ore to form a slurry
that is retained
in the slurry box when the slurry apparatus is in operation. The frame
includes a lower
base having a first set of spaced apart support points for supporting the
frame in a
stationary mode, and a second set of spaced apart support points for
supporting the frame
in a moving mode, the second set of spaced apart support points each being
closer
together than the first set of support points and defining a single lifting
region disposed
beneath a second center of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a moving mode
when the
slurry box is empty. The single lifting region is located proximate to a
center of the
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lower base with a portion of the lifting region located in the center of the
lower base. The
single lifting region is defined by the second set of support points so that a
single moving
device can be positioned beneath the second set of support points for lifting
the slurry
apparatus under the single lifting region and for moving the slurry apparatus
while lifting
the slurry apparatus under the single lifting region.
The second center of gravity of the slurry apparatus in the moving mode may be
in a
different position from the first center of gravity of the slurry apparatus in
a stationary
mode when the slurry box contains a slurry.
The apparatus includes at least one ore size regulating apparatus in
communication with
the slurry box.
The ore size regulating apparatus may include a comminuting apparatus for
directing
comminuted ore to the slurry box.
The water supply may wet the ore before or as the ore enters the comminuting
apparatus.
The apparatus may include a hydrotransport pump for receiving the slurry from
the slurry
box and pumping the slurry out of the slurry apparatus.
The apparatus may include a power supply detachably coupled to the slurry
apparatus.
The slurry apparatus may be grounded by a detachable cable connecting the
slurry
apparatus to a remote electrical ground site.
The apparatus may include an emergency pond outlet for discharging fluid to a
pond in
case of emergency.
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The slurry apparatus may be operably configured, when in the moving mode, to
be tilted
from a notional vertical plane such that the second center of gravity can
reach but does
not exceed a periphery of the single lifting region while the slurry apparatus
continues to
be moved by the single moving device.
The slurry apparatus may be operably configured, when in the moving mode, to
be tilted
from a notional vertical plane up to about 8 degrees while maintaining the
second center
of gravity in the moving mode over the single lifting region.
The slurry apparatus may be operably configured so that the first center of
gravity is
situated within a region of the slurry box.
The single lifting region may form an area substantially smaller than the
entire area of the
lower base.
The single lifting region may form an area less than about 1/9th the entire
area of the
lower base.
The single lifting region may have a lifting region width and the lower base
may have a
lower base width generally parallel to the lifting region width, wherein the
lifting region
width is about 1/3rd that of the lower base width.
The single lifting region may have a lifting region length and the lower base
may have a
lower base length generally parallel to the lifting region length, wherein the
lifting region
length is about 1/4th that of the lower base length.
The single lifting region may have a lifting region length and the lower base
may have a
lower base length generally parallel to the lifting region length, wherein the
lifting region
length is less than about 1/4th that of the lower base length.
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The single lifting region may have a lifting region width and a lifting region
length
substantially perpendicular to the lifting region width, wherein the lower
base has a lower
base width generally parallel to the lifting region width and a lower base
length
substantially perpendicular to the lower base width, and wherein the lifting
region width
is about 1/3rd that of the lower base width and the lifting region length is
less than about
1/4th that of the lower base length.
The second set of spaced apart support points may be disposed such that the
slurry
apparatus can be lifted by the single moving device solely at the single
lifting region.
The single lifting region may form an area less than about 1/9th the entire
area of the
lower base.
The second set of spaced apart support points may be disposed substantially
closer
together than the first set of support points.
The single lifting region may form an area less than about 1/9th the entire
area of the
lower base.
The second set of spaced apart support points may be disposed such that the
slurry
apparatus can be lifted by the single moving device solely at the single
lifting region.
The single moving device may include a Lampson Crawler.
The first set of spaced apart support points may be mounted on pontoons.
At least a portion of the pontoons may be disposed at a height lower than the
lifting
region.
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In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method
of moving
a slurry facility including
a slurry box for holding slurry,
a frame for supporting the slurry box, and
a plurality of pontoons for supporting the frame in a stationary mode,
the frame having a set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame
in a
moving mode, the set of spaced apart support points being closer together than
the
plurality of pontoons. The method of moving involves:
emptying the slurry box and disconnecting water supplies and a hydrotransport
line from the slurry facility at a first site;
driving a moving device between the plurality of pontoons into a lifting
position;
with the moving device in the lifting position, lifting the frame at the set
of spaced
apart support points for supporting the frame in the moving mode;
moving the slurry facility from the first site to a second site using the
moving
device;
lowering the slurry facility until it is supported on a ground surface at the
second
site by the plurality of pontoons; and
reconnecting the water supplies and the hydrotransport line to the slurry
facility at
the second site.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of
the
invention,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slurry apparatus according to the
invention,
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the slurry apparatus of
Figure 1,
showing the stationary and operating centres of gravity of the apparatus in a
preferred
embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 is a, schematic top plan view of the base of the frame in the slurry
apparatus
of Figure 1,
Figure 4 is a schematic side elevational view showing the apparatus of Figure
1 being
moved on an incline,
Figure 5 is a schematic side elevational view of a further embodiment of the
slurry
apparatus having pontoons, and
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the base of the frame in the
slurry
apparatus of Figure 5.
Detailed Description
Some embodiments may provide a mobile slurry apparatus for creating a slurry
from oil sand ore, comprising a frame, a slurry box supported by the frame, a
water
supply in communication with the ore or the slurry box, whereby water is mixed
with
the ore to form a slurry that is retained in the slurry box, the frame
comprising a base
having a first set of spaced apart support points for supporting the frame in
a
stationary mode, and a second set of spaced apart support points for
supporting the
frame in a moving mode, the second set of spaced apart support points being
closer
together than the first set of support points and defining a lifting region
disposed
beneath a centre of gravity of the slurry apparatus in a moving mode when the
slurry
box is empty, whereby a moving device can be positioned beneath the second set
of
support points for lifting and moving the slurry apparatus.
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Further embodiments may provide a method of moving from a first site to a
second site a slurry facility comprising a comminuting apparatus in
communication
with a slurry box, whereby comminuted ore is fed to the slurry box, and a
frame
comprising a base having a first set of spaced apart support points for
supporting the
frame in a stationary mode and a second set of spaced apart support points for
supporting the frame in a moving mode, the second set of spaced apart support
points
being closer together than the first set of support points, comprising the
steps of: a. in
any order, i) emptying the slurry box and disconnecting electrical lines and
water
supplies and a hydrotransport line, and ii) deploying a moving device beneath
the base
to lift the frame; b. lifting the frame at the second set of support points;
c. moving the
slurry facility to the second site; d. lowering the slurry facility until it
is supported on
the first set of support points; and e. reconnecting the electrical lines and
water
supplies and the hydrotransport line.
A first embodiment of a slurry apparatus or facility 10 according to the
invention is
illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.
The slurry apparatus 10 provides a frame 20 having a base 22. The frame 20 may
optionally also be provided with sides 24. The frame 20 is preferably formed
from
steel girders or I-beams having the required load-bearing capacity, welded,
bolted, or
otherwise suitably affixed together. The frame supports a slurry box 30, which
may be
a conventional slurry box constructed to support the desired slurry load. The
slurry
box 30 essentially acts as a wet surge, maintaining the required constant
supply of
slurry to the slurry pump 39. The slurry box 30 provides a slurry outlet 38
which
feeds the slurry pump 39, and the slurry pump 39 in turn provides a slurry
outlet 41 to
which a hydrotransport conduit (not shown) is detachably coupled by suitable
means,
for example a bolted flange.
An ore size regulating apparatus such as a screen or comminuting apparatus 50
is
suspended above the slurry box 30. For example, in the preferred embodiment
the
comminuting apparatus may be a screening/sizing roller screen such as that
described
in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,476,194 entitled "SIZING ROLLER SCREEN
ORE PROCESSING" published January 30,2006, which both screens and crushes
ore. In the preferred embodiment the comminuting apparatus 50 is supported on
the
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frame 20 of the slurry apparatus 10, with the output face of the comminuting
apparatus 50 in communication with the open top of the slurry box 30 such that
comminuted ore fed to the comminuting apparatus 50 is directed into the slurry
box
30 under the force of gravity. Alternatively, as screen may be provided to
screen the
incoming ore flow as an initial step before crushing.
Because the slurry apparatus 10 in the first embodiment is movable, it is
advantageous to maintain a low centre of gravity in the slurry apparatus 10
and
therefore if the comminuting apparatus 50 is suspended above the slurry box 30
it is
advantageous to provide the comminuting apparatus 50 as close as possible
(vertically) to the open top of the slurry box 30. The comminuting apparatus
50 may
be oriented close to the horizontal, or alternatively may have either a
positive or
negative angle to the horizontal. In a preferred embodiment the comminuting
apparatus 50 is oriented at an angle to the horizontal such that comminuted
ore is fed
at the higher end of the comminuting apparatus 50. The comminuting apparatus
50
may be supported on its own separate frame, may be solely supported by a side
24 of
the slurry apparatus frame 20, or may be supported on the slurry box 30.
Alternatively, the comminuting apparatus 50 may be in communication with the
slurry box 30 via one or more interposed conveyor mechanisms, such as a
transfer
conveyor (not shown).
The comminuting apparatus 50 may alternatively be housed in a separate
structure
and maintained in communication with the slurry box 30 by a conveying
apparatus
such as a transfer conveyor (not shown). Similarly, while the illustrated
embodiment
shows the slurry pump 39 and electrical transformers 9 housed in the structure
of the
slurry facility 10, it is possible to house these components in one or more
separate
structures that are detachably connected to the relevant systems in the slurry
facility
10 when the slurry facility 10 is in operating mode. It is advantageous to
provide
transformers 9 within or immediately adjacent to the slurry facility 10, which
will
gradually be moved away from any permanent transformer substation as mining
progresses.
A water supply 60, for example a hood with a spray header (shown in Figure 2),
is
positioned to apply hot process water to the ore as it is fed into the
comminuting
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apparatus 50, assisting in the comminuting process and so that ore is already
wetted
when it enters slurry box 30. As is well known in the art, the hot process
water is
mixed with the ore in a proportion which provides the desired slurry
consistency for
conditioning during transport to an extraction facility. The water supply 60
may be
provided in any convenient location for dispensing the process water over the
ore,
preferably before comminution or optionally after comminution.
The slurry box 30 is mounted to the floor 22 of the slurry apparatus frame 20
in the
desired position. As illustrated in Figure 2, the frame 20 is supported on a
first set of
spaced apart support points 21, for example adjacent to the corners where the
sides 24
meet the base 22, which may be mounted on crane mats 23 as in the embodiment
illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, to support the frame 20 in stationary mode, or
alternatively may be mounted on pontoons 27 as in the embodiment illustrated
in
Figures 5 and 6. The slurry box 30 may be disposed anywhere within the frame
20, as
long as the centre of gravity CG1 of the slurry apparatus 10 when the slurry
box 30 is
filled is within the area bounded by the first set of spaced apart support
points 21 (as
shown in Figure 2).
The frame 20 further contains other apparatus incidental to the operation of
the slurry
facility, which may for example include a gland water supply for the slurry
pump 39,
cooling units for conditioning the air within the facility to make it suitable
for
workers, electrical transformers for powering the equipment used in the slurry
facility
10, safety equipment, overhead cranes for maintenance and so on. The
distribution of
equipment about the frame 20 of the slurry apparatus 10 determines a first
center of
gravity CG1 for the slurry apparatus 10 in a stationary mode, in which the
slurry box
is filled and operational. Preferably the amount and size of equipment are
25 minimized to keep the weight of the facility 10 as low as possible; for
example, the
facility 10 may house a single hydrotransport pump 39 (or the hydrotransport
pump
39 may be supported on a separate structure as noted above). The heaviest
equipment
should be as low as possible within the frame 20, to keep the centre of
gravity CG1
and CG2 low. In the stationary mode, when the frame 20 is supported on the
first set
30 of spaced apart support points 21 and the slurry box 30 is filled with
slurry and
operational, a considerable additional amount of weight is concentrated in the
region
of the slurry box 30, which determines the position of the first center of
gravity CG1.
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The frame 20 thus supports all the on-board equipment, plus the weight of the
slurry,
on the first set of spaced apart support points 21.
In a moving mode, with the slurry box 30 empty, the centre of gravity is
disposed at
CG2. The base 22 of the frame 20 is provided with a lifting region 70, shown
in
Figure 3, which is formed by a series of beams affixed to the main girders 28
of the
base 22. The entire slurry apparatus 10 can thus be lifted by a single moving
device
such as a mobile crawler 80, for example that produced by Lampson
International
LLC (hereinafter referred to as a "Lampson Crawler"), lifting solely at the
lifting
region 70, without substantial deformation of the frame 20. The lifting region
70
defmes a second set of spaced apart support points 72, which is directly
beneath (and
preferably centered under) the second center of gravity CG2. The Lampson
Crawler,
which is essentially a hydraulic lifting platform having a propulsion system
and
mounted on tracks as illustrated in Figure 9B, can be positioned under the
lifting
region 70 using locator tabs 74, shown in Figure 3, and raised to lift the
frame 20
while maintaining the stability of the facility 10.
In the operating mode, ore is fed to the comminuting apparatus 50 in any
desired
fashion, for example via a transfer conveyor 6 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Preferably
the transfer conveyor 6 is freestanding and not connected to the slurry
apparatus 10,
but suspended in communication with the slurry apparatus 10. The ore is
processed by
the comminuting apparatus 50, preferably to reduce the particle size of the
entire
inflow of ore to a maximum of 2" to TA" (although larger ore sizes can also be
processed). The comminuting apparatus 50 may include an oversize comminuting
component 52 (shown in Figure 2) to comminute oversized ore and eliminate
rejected
ore.
The comminuted ore is mixed with water from the water supply 60 and fed into
the
slurry box 30. A slurry of the consistency desired for hydrotransport is thus
created
within the slurry box 30. The slurry progresses through the slurry box 30 over
the
selected retention interval and egresses through the slurry outlet to a
hydrotransport
pump 39, which in turn feeds the slurry into a hydrotransport outlet 41 to
which a line
(not shown) is detachably connected for transport to an extraction facility
(not
shown). The hydrotransport line is detachable from the hydro transport outlet
41 to
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allow for periodic movement of the slurry apparatus 10 to a new site as the
mine face
moves away from the slurry apparatus 10.
The electrical supplies including all power lines (and optionally
telecommunications
cables) are preferably contained in a power cable that detachably connects to
a local
connection (not shown) on the slurry facility 10, which may for example be
adjacent
to the transformers 9, to facilitate easy connection and disconnection of all
electrical
systems to a standard power source remote to the movable facility 10.
Preferably the
electrical power system is grounded via cable to a local transformer station
or
platform, rather than directly into the ground, either via the power cable or
via a
separate grounding cable, to facilitate detachment and reattachment of the
ground
connection during the relocation procedure. Similarly, water supplies and
connections
to fluid outlets (for example emergency pond outlet 45) are not welded but are
instead
detachably coupled via bolted flanges, quick-connect couplings or other
suitable
detachable connections as desired to facilitate detachment and reattachment
during the
relocation procedure.
When it is desired to move the slurry apparatus 10 to a new location, the
transfer
conveyor 6 is deactivated to discontinue the ore flow, and the slurry box 30
is empty
and flushed. Preferably the slurry apparatus 10 includes a cold water supply
43 for use
in flushing the slurry apparatus (and in case of emergency; an emergency
outlet 45 is
also preferably provided for directing contaminated water to a nearby
emergency
pond if needed). When the slurry box 30 has been completely emptied and
flushed,
the hydrotransport line (not shown) is disconnected from hydrotransport pump
39.
All electrical and water supplies are disconnected from the apparatus 10. Once
all
water supplies and electrical supplies have been disconnected, the slurry
apparatus 10
is ready to be moved to a new location.
A path to the new location is prepared, for example by compacting and laying
down a
suitable bed of gravel, if necessary. The new location is surveyed to ensure
it is level
(using gravel if necessary to level the site), and in the embodiment
illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2 crane mats are laid optionally covered by metal sheeting (not
shown)
to avoid point-loading the crane mats 23.1n this embodiment hydraulic jacks 29
are
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CA 02567643 2006-11-09
provided generally under the first set of spaced apart support points,
supported on the
crane mats 23. The jacks 29 are actuated, either in unison or individually in
increments, to raise the frame 20 to a height that will allow a moving device
80 such
as a Lampson Crawler, with its hydraulic platform 82 in retracted mode, to be
driven
beneath the base 22 of the frame 20 and positioned under the lifting region 70
using
locator tabs 74 (shown in Figure 3) as a guide to position the hydraulic
platform 82.
The hydraulic platform 82 is raised, lifting the entire frame 20. When the
frame 20
has been raised to support the frame the hydraulic jacks 29 are retracted (as
shown in
Figure 4), the propulsion system in the Lampson Crawler 80 is engaged and the
slurry
apparatus 10 is moved toward the new location. Preferably the slurry apparatus
10
comprises on-board levels (not shown) at locations visible from the exterior
of the
apparatus 10, and/or a water level comprising a flexible tube filled with
water and
extending across the entire frame 20 (not shown), which are carefully
monitored by
operators to ensure that the facility 10 remains level within the tolerances
permitted
by the second set of spaced apart support points 72 (as described below).
As illustrated in Figure 4 the slurry apparatus 10 may be tilted, preferably
up to or
potentially more than 8* from the vertical, while maintaining the center of
gravity in
moving mode CG2 over the lifting region 70. This allows the slurry apparatus
10 to
be moved up or down a grade, and to tolerate variations of the ground surface.
The
hydraulic lifting platform 82 on the Lampson Crawler also has the ability to
lift
differentially, and thus compensate to some extent for the angle of a grade as
shown
in Figure 4. However, the slurry apparatus 10 itself may be tilted up to the
point
where the center of gravity CG2 reaches the periphery of the lifting region
70, beyond
which the apparatus 10 will become unstable.
When the new site is reached the hydraulic jacks 29 are extended to support
the frame
on the crane mats 23 which have been placed on the ground beneath the first
set of
support points 21, the hydraulic lifting platform 82 is lowered and the
Lampson
Crawler is driven away from the site. The slurry facility 10 is fully
supported by the
first set of spaced apart support points 21, and can be returned to the
operating mode
by extending (from the previous site) and reconnecting the hydrotransport line
and all
electrical and water supplies. An ore feeder such as a transfer conveyor is
positioned
in communication with the comminuting apparatus 50, and operation of the
slurry
9
CA 02567643 2006-11-09
facility 10 is resumed. When the slurry box 30 is once again filled with
slurry, the
center of gravity will shift from CG2 back to CG 1, shown in Figure 2.
In a further embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 5, the frame 20
is
provided with pontoons 27 onto which the frame 20 is set instead of crane mats
23.
This reduces the steps required to both lift the slurry apparatus 10 and to
prepare the
new relocation site. This also has the advantage of adding weight to the
bottom of the
frame 20, lowering the centres of gravity CG I and CG2. The operation of this
embodiment is otherwise as previously described.
A preferred embodiment of the invention having been thus described by way of
example only, it will be appreciated that variations and permutations may be
made
without departing from the invention, as set out in the appended claims. All
such
variations and permutations are intended to be included within the scope of
the
invention.
