Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHAKER TABLE APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS AND METHODS THEREOF
CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is an international application which claims the benefit of
U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/886,014 filed on October 2, 2013 and
U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/901,527 filed on November 8, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to mineral separation devices, more particularly to
improved
shaker table apparatus, and even more particularly to improvements to dressing
water
manifolds and tabletop decks for better accommodating magnetic separators and
improving
recovery and separation grade.
Shaker tables have been in existence for several decades. FLSmidth-Knelson
Solutions uses a Knelson- brand concentrator to concentrate dense particles
which contain a
value mineral. This concentrate then gets flushed to either a ConSep ACACIA
Reactor Unit
(if use of cyanide is permitted on site), or to a shaker table. The product of
a shaker table is
typically smeltable gold. For example, relevant prior systems may be found in
any one of
U.S. Patent Nos.: 2,325,340; 4,078,996; 4,150,749; 4,170,549; 4,251.357;
4,340,469;
4,758,334; 5,160,035; 5,205,414; 6,059,118; 6,155.707; 7,533,775; 4,758,334;
2,325,340;
4,326,951; 4,340,469; and 4,347,130.
Ball mill filings may be present in concentrate arriving at a shaker table.
These filings
pose a problem to tabling/separation at a shaker table, since large chunks of
ferrous metal can
behave similar to smaller, denser gold particles. Therefore, the presence of
such metallic
impurities can likely disrupt and pollute the collection of gold on a shaker
table. If the use of
an upstream magnetic drum separator is not desirable, then a suspended plate
magnet
separator may be used above the shaker table's active surface. However, the
space available
to accommodate suspended plate magnet separators is very limited with existing
shaker table
devices.
For example, conventional 'Gemini' shaker table designs use a large raised
central
water manifold which extends down the length of the shaker table to deliver
dressing water to
the tabling surface. The dressing water is necessary to wash away impurities
and allow gold
to be collected by the table. The existing Gemini-style central water manifold
requires a user
to reach over/across the active tabling surface to manually adjust each water
nozzle at the
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center of the table, which, itself, is shaking with the table and central
water manifold. This is
especially problematic for larger table profiles, which require non-ergonomic
sizeable reaches
over the table to its centerline and risks disruption of table separations. In
addition, the
existing nozzle/valves used on these large raised central water manifolds are
easily snapped
or twisted when manipulated - particularly during shaking. It is also quite
difficult for an
operator to grab and manipulate a shaking nozzle/valve and readily adjust flow
in a finely-
tuned manner to optimize separation in a particular location of the shaker
table. Accordingly,
a more robust system is required which gives an end user a higher degree of
control over the
dressing water flow delivered to or from each nozzle.
Moreover, since Gauss profiles generally decay rapidly as the magnetic device
moves
farther away from a particular location, a plate magnet separator should
generally sit as close
to the tabling surface as possible in order to optimize magnetic separator
performance. The
existing Gemini-style large raised central water manifolds, nozzles, and edge
geometries all
sit high. Consequently, they obstruct magnetic separation devices and prevent
close
positioning with a shaker table top, thus, impede the overall effectiveness of
a shaker table
separation circuit.
Additionally, with prior shaker table devices, a large amount of water may be
present
within the chute/waterslide regions during operation. The large amount of
water may build
up prior to groove tips, and accordingly, during operation, the devices may
cause the
formation of standing "waves" ¨ which provide bypass routes (i.e., a "short-
circuit" paths)
that make it easy for incoming feed to mistakenly enter tails collection. This
is highly
undesirable, since precious solids which are present in the feed may be
unknowingly
discarded. Standing waves approximately 1/2 to 1.5 inches away from the walls
(running
parallel to wall) of prior Gemini devices have been observed, where solids
'dance' or float to
the tails collection trough via the standing waves without being processed by
table grooves.
As can be imagined, there are many variables which contribute to the ultimate
performance of a shaker table. Features of the embodiments disclosed
hereinafter have
contributed to apparently high gold recovery performance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a mechanically-robust,
improved
shaker table capable of efficiently and effectively providing smeltable table
concentrate.
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It is another object of the invention to improve existing dressing water
manifolds and
tabletop deck geometries so that they are better-suited to accommodate
magnetic separators.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a new tabletop deck design
which is
optimized for use with a closely-positioned suspended overhead plate magnet
separator.
It is yet an even further object of the invention to drastically improve the
ergonomics
and control offered to users who monitor and fine-tune dressing water to the
tabletop - either
during operation or outside of operation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fully automated shaker
table system
having improved table security by reducing unnecessary human contact with
areas of the
tabletop deck assembly which carry concentrated amounts of product.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shaker table system which
enables
recycling of tailings and middlings over the tabletop deck to minimize losses
and improve
recovery.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a batch separation process
that can be
modified to accept concentrate from one or more gravity concentrators or
similar
concentrating devices.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a competitive concentrate
treatment
option which does not involve intensive cyanidation, and therefore, may be
utilized when
cyanide destruction or permitting is not available.
It is a further object of the invention to provide larger available surface
areas than
conventional center feed tables.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shaker table apparatus having
superior
abrasion resistant surfaces for enhanced particle mobility and minimal routine
maintenance.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings
and
description herein. Although every object of the invention is believed to be
attained by at
least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any one
embodiment of the
invention that achieves all of the objects of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A shaker table apparatus is disclosed. The shaker table apparatus may comprise
a
tabletop deck assembly having a feed end and a discharge end, at least one
dressing water
nozzle having a low-profile with respect to said tabletop deck assembly, and
at least one
outboard dressing water valve manifold which is operably connected to the at
least one
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dressing water nozzle. The at least one outboard dressing water valve manifold
may be
positioned and configured so as to not require an operator to reach over the
tabletop deck
assembly. The at least one outboard dressing water valve manifold may also be
positioned
and configured so as to readily allow an operator to adjust a flow of dressing
water to said at
least dressing water nozzle. The apparatus may comprise one or more dressing
water tube
which extends between at least one dressing water nozzle and at least one
outboard dressing
water valve manifold. The feed end of the tabletop deck assembly may be
rounded to create
a deliberate dead zone which forces material over processing grooves and
eliminates short-
circuiting found with conventional devices. In some embodiments, the feed end
of the
tabletop deck assembly may be located vertically above the discharge end of
the table,
thereby creating a tabletop deck assembly angle of inclination between
approximately 1 and 3
degrees. One or more fang-shaped diverter features may be provided at a
discharge end of
the apparatus, which is configured to improve concentrations at the discharge
end. The
shaker table apparatus may have at least one water dressing nozzle which is
separately
provided to the tabletop deck assembly. The shaker table apparatus may also
comprise a
quick connect feature between at least one water dressing nozzle and at least
one outboard
dressing water valve manifold. An overhead magnetic separator may be provided
overtop of
the tabletop deck assembly, and may be spaced from the tabletop deck assembly
by an
overhead clearance gap less than 3.5 inches, which is less than possible with
conventional
devices. In some embodiments, the shaker table apparatus may comprise a spin
filter
upstream of said at least one dressing water nozzle to minimize potention
clogging of the
nozzle. In some embodiments, one or more outboard dressing water valve
manifolds may be
provided at an easily-accessible peripheral location which is not centrally
located on an upper
portion of the tabletop deck assembly. The at least one outboard dressing
water valve
manifolds may comprise a single manifold or two outboard dressing water valve
manifolds.
In some embodiments, each of the two outboard dressing water valve manifolds
may be
positioned on opposing sides of the tabletop deck assembly of a shaker table
apparatus. In
other embodiments, each of the outboard dressing water valve manifolds may
positioned on
the same side of the tabletop deck assembly.
A method of operating a shaker table apparatus is also disclosed. The method
comprises engaging a portion of the at least one outboard dressing water valve
manifold; and,
adjusting a flow of dressing water said at least one dressing water nozzle
without reaching
over the tabletop deck assembly.
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A dressing water nozzle subassembly for a tabletop deck assembly of a shaker
table
apparatus is further disclosed. The dressing water nozzle subassembly may
comprise a cavity
for receiving an o-ring and a body, a collet adapted to accept the outer
diameter of a tube, a
central opening, and one or more nozzle openings intersecting the central
opening. The
dressing water nozzle may further comprise a mushroom shape. In some
instances, the nozzle
may incorporate a flat rounded head configured to establish a low-profile with
respect to said
tabletop deck assembly. One or more torque-engaging surfaces may be provided
to the nozzle
for alignment and/or purposes of fastening or tightening. The one or more
torque-engaging
surfaces may be provided as one or more flats or slots in some embodiments.
The nozzle
openings may be provided on the same side of the dressing water nozzle,
thereby providing a
one-sided dressing water nozzle, or the nozzle openings may be provided on
opposing sides of
the dressing water nozzle, thereby providing a double-sided dressing water
nozzle.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shaker
table
apparatus for accommodating an overhead magnetic separator comprising; a
tabletop deck
assembly having a feed end and a discharge end; at least one mushroom shape
dressing water
nozzle comprising a cavity for receiving an o-ring and a body; a collet
adapted to accept the
outer diameter of a tube; a central opening; and, one or more nozzle openings
intersecting the
central opening; wherein the at least one mushroom shape dressing water nozzle
has a low-
profile with respect to said tabletop deck assembly, the low-profile of the at
least one
mushroom shape dressing water nozzle providing a decreased profile of the
shaker table
apparatus allowing the overhead magnetic separator to be placed in close
proximity with the
tabletop deck assembly; and, at least one outboard dressing water valve
manifold which is
operably connected to the at least one mushroom shape dressing water nozzle
via a dressing
water tube which extends between the at least one mushroom shape dressing
water nozzle and
the at least one outboard dressing water valve manifold for allowing an
operator to adjust a
flow of dressing water to said at least one mushroom shape dressing water
nozzle from the
outboard dressing water valve manifold; wherein said at least one outboard
dressing water
valve manifold is provided at a peripheral location for allowing the operator
to adjust the flow
of dressing water to said at least one dressing water nozzle.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method of
operating a shaker table apparatus comprising a tabletop deck assembly having
a feed end and
a discharge end; at least one dressing water nozzle having a low-profile with
respect to said
tabletop deck assembly; and, at least one outboard dressing water valve
manifold which is
operably connected to the at least one dressing water nozzle; wherein said at
least one
outboard dressing water valve manifold is provided at a peripheral location
for allowing an
operator to adjust a flow of dressing water to said at least one dressing
water nozzle; the
method comprising: engaging a portion of the at least one outboard dressing
water valve
manifold; and, adjusting the flow of dressing water to said at least one
dressing water nozzle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To complement the description which is being made, and for the purpose of
aiding to
better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings
illustrating preferred
separation devices methods of operating said devices is attached to the
present specification as
an integral part thereof, in which the following has been depicted with an
illustrative and non-
limiting character. It should be understood that like reference numbers used
in the drawings
may identify like components.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments
which schematically indicates various grades of recovery at different
locations.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a discharge end view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
FIG. 5 is a feed end view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
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FIG. 6 is a detailed view of drive elements of a shaker table apparatus
according to
some embodiments.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
FIG. 8 is a photograph of a shaker table apparatus according to some
embodiments.
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FIG. 9 is a close-up photograph of a central portion of the shaker table
apparatus
shown in FIG. 8.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are respective isometric and side view photographs of the
shaker
table apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 12 shows results comparing shaker table apparatus performance according
to some
embodiments of the invention (left) to prior art devices (right).
FIG. 13 shows that to reach the tails trough, the feed must pass over
approximately 20
processing grooves and cannot bypass the grooves as it does on prior devices.
FIG. 14 shows the 'fall line' of feed on a shaker table apparatus according to
some
embodiments.
FIG. 15 shows sulfides diverting means according to some embodiments.
FIG. 16 is a photograph showing a successful table test for a shaker table
apparatus
according to some embodiments.
FIGS. 17-19 show various views of a dressing water nozzle according to some
embodiments.
FIG. 20 shows an entire separation system utilizing a shaker table apparatus
according to
certain embodiments of the invention.
In the following, the invention will be described in more detail with
reference to
drawings in conjunction with exemplary embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A shaker table apparatus 100 and separation system 60 as substantially shown
in the
figures is disclosed. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-11 and 13-19, profiles of a
tabletop deck
assembly 4 have been designed so as to be much flatter than conventional
shaker table devices.
This has been accomplished by lowering the table's edge drain trough reliefs
50, 51, 52, 53, as
well as by redesigning the dressing water distribution system to use low
profile mushroom-style
dressing water nozzles 29 which are provided adjacent the centerline of the
table 4 and which
extend either in series or parallel generally linearly from a feed end 56 to a
discharge end 57.
As shown, the nozzles 29 may be provided in an array 54 and may each comprise
a head 30 and
a body portion 31. This design replaces the previous Gemini-style water
manifold tube (which
incorporates a rather proud-sitting central manifold and nozzle/valves). The
decreased profile of
the shaker table apparatus 100 improves magnetic separation efficiency when
used with an
overhead magnetic separator, because the overhead magnetic separator can be
placed in very
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close proximity with the tabletop deck 4. Outboard dressing water valve
manifolds 17, 18, 66
may be placed along the table sides (one on each side of the table as shown in
FIGS 1-19 or both
on a single side as shown in FIG. 20). Alternatively, a single outboard
dressing water valve
manifold 17, 18, 66 may be employed, which services both left and right
portions of the tabletop
deck 4. In such an embodiment, dressing water nozzles 29 may be purposed with
nozzle
openings 32 which are located on both sides of the nozzle 29, or the array 54
may alternate
between left and right-facing nozzle openings 32. A series of dressing water
tubes 19 extending
between the dressing water valve manifolds 17. 18, 66 and the dressing water
nozzles 29 which
form array 54 serve to deliver dressing water to portions of the tabletop deck
4. Each central
dressing water nozzle 29 may be connected to a respective outboard dressing
water valve
manifold 17, 18, 66 via a single dressing water tube 19. Dressing water tubes
19 may comprise
plastic or rubber water hose lines terminating at a manual mini-valve threaded
into the
respective outboard dressing water valve manifold 17, 18, 66. A user may
adjust dressing water
to the tabletop deck 4 from either side or both sides of the shaker table
apparatus 100, and
therefore, it is no longer required to reach across the top of a shaker table
to the shaker table
centerline or manipulate a shaking nozzle/valve. The flat upper profile of the
tabletop deck 4
allows the use of an optional overhead magnetic separator 69 such as a belt
magnet, positioned
in close proximity with the tabletop deck 4.
The shaker table apparatus 100 may include a support frame weldment 1, a
rocker plate
bearing 2; a rocker plate weldment 3, a tabletop deck assembly 4 having a
number of grooves
59, a molded infeed pad 5 which may be separable from the tabletop deck
assembly 4 (and
replaceable or interchangeable depending on type of feed), a variable
frequency drive (VFD) 6
for delivering a shaking motion to the tabletop deck assembly 4, a drive gear
motor 7 which is
operably coupled to the VFD 6, an eccentric bushing 8, a drive bearing 9, a
drive adapter 10, a
drive rod weldment 11, an inner spring seat 12, an outer spring seat 13, a
drive spring 14, a drain
and nut 15, and a cast bumper 16. The VFD 6 may be computer controlled for
fine tuning stroke
frequency of the tabletop deck 4 and therefore greatly improve recovery
efficiencies. The infeed
pad 5 may be shaped to diffuse energy of the feed and spread the feed over a
large area, thereby
discouraging standing wave formation and short-circuiting to tails.
In certain embodiments, a first dressing water valve manifold 17 may be
provided on a
left-hand side of the tabletop deck assembly 4, and a second dressing water
valve manifold 18
may be provided on a right-hand side of the tabletop deck assembly 4. The
shaker table
apparatus 100 may further include a first manifold support weldment 20, a
second manifold
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support weldment 21, a number of drain hoses 22 provided to a number of
recovery basins 50,
51, 52, 53, a feed hopper support weldment 23, a hopper bracket weldment 24, a
feed hopper
weldment 25, and a water filter manifold assembly 26. A hold down pattern 27
may be applied
to the apparatus 100 for bolting or securing the apparatus within a circuit.
The shaker table apparatus 100 may be connected to a water source via a water
supply
hose connection barb 28. The water supplied may be pre-filtered and sent to
each nozzle 29 in
the central array 54. The dressing water enters a central opening 33 within
each nozzle 29 that
also communicates with one or more nozzle openings 32. The one or more nozzle
openings 32
are preferably strategically positioned to deliver dressing water to select
portions of the tabletop
deck 4. Torque engaging surfaces 38 such as flats, slits, or slots may be used
to orientate the
nozzle openings 32 and "tune" the delivery of dressing water to particular
locations on the table
4.
Dressing water tubes 19 may be connected to each nozzle via a cavity 39
provided in
each nozzle 29. In the particular embodiment shown, an o-ring 34 is positioned
in the cavity
39 and the cavity 39 is fitted with a barrel-shaped body 36. The body 36
accepts a
flexible/snapping collet 37 which has an inside diameter that is configured to
accept an
outside diameter of a respective dressing water tube 19. Similar quick release
connections
may be used between dressing water tubes 19 and manifolds 17, 18, 66. In other
instances
(not shown), each nozzle 29 may comprise a barbed nipple or NPT thread or
other equivalent
tube-connection means.
As shown, each dressing water nozzle 29 may comprise an optional outer thread
35
which may be accepted through an aperture 55 in the unfinished tabletop deck
assembly 4. The
nozzles 29 may be secured to the tabletop deck assembly 4 by a backside nut.
Alternatively, the
dressing water nozzles 29 may be glued or sealed into the tabletop deck
assembly apertures 55
or snap-fitted into the apertures 55. Even more alternatively, nozzle
openings, including central
openings 33 and nozzle openings 32 may be machined directly into bosses which
are molded
into the tabletop deck assembly 4 at locations where apertures 55 would
otherwise be provided.
In such an embodiment (not shown), apertures 55 are not formed into the
tabletop deck 4, and
the machined nozzles may not be replaceable or interchangeable as the nozzles
29 shown in the
drawings. Moreover, in such an embodiment, nozzle openings 32 may need more
frequent
cleaning if filtered dressing water is not used.
A diverter feature 40 such as one or more fang-shaped protrusions may be
provided at
the discharge end 57 of the shaker table apparatus 100 to prevent sulfides
from entering the final
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concentrate basin 50, thus improving final concentrate grade. Concentrate
basin 50 catches the
most highly-refined concentrate in the last drain (i.e., drain number 8).
Diverter feature 40
moves sulfide-containing materials to the MIDS2 basin 51, which collects the
second highest
grade of concentrate of the system 60. A MIDS1 drain basin 52 is provided
upstream of the
MIDS2 basin 51 and may comprise multiple drains (i.e., drain numbers 4-6 as
shown).
Materials collected in the MIDS1 drain basin 52 are typically lower in grade
than the materials
received by the MIDS2 basin and/or concentrate basin 50. TAILS basin 53, which
is located the
furthest upstream on the tabletop deck assembly 4, may include multiple drains
(i.e, drain
numbers 1-3 as shown). Material collected in the TAILS basin 53 may be very
low in target
value mineral composition, and may therefore be disposed of, recycled, or sent
to another
coarser concentrating step.
An electrical supply 58 is provided to supply power to the VFD 6. As shown in
FIG. 12,
the grouping of the shaker table apparatus's drains/buckets include: TAILS
(lowest grade),
MIDS1 (low grade), MIDS2 (high grade), and CONC (highest grade/smeltable
gold). The
distribution of recovered gold shows a marked superior performance of
embodiments of the
invention as compared to a Gemini GT1000 shaker table. It was found by the
inventors that, in
use, approximately 9% of the total recovered gold is expected in the TAILS
sections 1, 2. and 3
-- as compared to approximately 24% for a conventional Gemini GT1000 table. It
was also
found that approximately 20% of the total recovered gold is to be expected in
the MIDS1
sections 4, 5, and 6 -- as compared to approximately 39% for a conventional
Gemini GT1000
table. Moreover, it was found that approximately 22% of the total recovered
gold is to be
expected in the MIDS2 section 7 -- as compared to approximately 28% for a
conventional
Gemini GT1000 table. It was also found that approximately 56% of the total
recovered gold is
to be expected in the CONC section number 8 -- as compared to only 9% for a
conventional
Gemini GT1000 table. It is believed that the one or more diverter features 40
driving sulfides to
the MIDS2 section 7 is responsible for increasing the final concentration
grade obtained from
the CONC basin 50.
FIG. 13 shows that in order to reach the tails trough 53, the feed must pass
over
approximately 20 processing grooves 59 after coming in contact with the molded
infeed pad 5.
The feed cannot bypass the grooves 59 in the same way that occurs on prior
Gemini table
geometries. The rounded feed end of the shaker table apparatus 100 generally
prevents wall
pounding/standing wave generation which typically occurs in the Gemini table.
This prevents
feed from 'dancing or 'floating' its way to TAILS basin 53, and/or from
bypassing the
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processing grooves 53. However, if the tabletop deck 4 is well-overfed, there
may be feed
present at the rounded feed end 56 which could result in a bypass route to the
TAILS basin 53.
FIG. 15 shows sulfides diverting means 40 according to some embodiments.
Sulfides
bands required a diverter feature 40 to channel the sulfides to the MIDS2
basin 51, in order to
prevent contamination of the CONC trough 50. This diverter feature 40 may be
incorporated
into tabletop deck assemblies 4 described herein, according to various
applications of the
invention.
According to some embodiments, groove/separation jump patterns may be provided
which are much more extended than prior devices. The result is more processing
area, more
processing geometry (e.g., grooves and/or separation jumps), and improved feed
end
geometries. The rounded feed end 56 serves to eliminate any 'bypass-to-tails'
avenues for feed
to flow. Extended feed end grooves 59 may be incorporated to prevent "straight
to tails"
waterslide effect, and the rounded feed end 56 profile prevents standing wave
creation.
Additional feed end upgrade separation jumps may be provided in the tabletop
deck 4.
Additional grooves 59 may be provided to upgrade more TAILS basin 53-bound
concentrate
(i.e., material which would otherwise be delivered to one of the TAILS drains
1-3) to the
MIDS1 basin 52 and/or MIDS2 basin 51. The dressing length of the tabletop deck
4 may also
be increased to provide more upgrading of the concentrate collected from the
CONC basin 50.
FIG. 16 shows a table test for shaker table apparatus 100 according to some
embodiments. The test was successfully concluded. The feed terminated, and the
table cleared
itself within 1-2 minutes upon termination of feed.
Turning now to FIG. 20, a separation system 60 incorporating a novel shaker
table
apparatus 100 according to the invention is shown. The system 60 is similar to
one described in
US Patent No. US-6,818.042 (which is herein incorporated by reference). The
system 60
comprises a shaker table apparatus 100 according to the present invention, a
feed auger 61 for
moving feed material to the feed end 56 of the tabletop deck assembly 4, an
agitated sump 62, a
concentrator flush feed point 63, a tails sump and pump 64 to move the tails
away for disposal
or to recycle to the shaker table apparatus 100, a lockable gold concentrate
box 65, one or more
easily-accessible dressing water valve manifolds 66, an access platform 67 for
an operator, an
access ladder 68 for an operator, a magnet belt separator 69 provided closely
over the tabletop
deck assembly 4 of the feed end 56 of the shaker table apparatus 100, a table
feed funnel 70, a
user platform 71, and a screen 72. In some embodiments, the screen 72 may be a
SWECO-
brand screen which may be undersized to the shaker table apparatus 100, but
oversized to the
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tails sump and pump 64. For example, screen 72 may comprise a 20 mesh
vibrating screen,
without limitation. In some embodiments, magnet separator 69 may be a 10" x 6'
plate magnet
with a moving conveyor belt and scraper mechanism. In other embodiments, a
drum magnetic
separator may be utilized.
In some embodiments, the shaker table apparatus 100 disclosed herein may
comprise a
variable stroke length in order to fine-tune recovery performance. The
apparatus 100 may
comprise an adjustable spring intensity to change motion kinetics of the
device. A water
flowmeter may be provided to accurately measure the amount of feed dilution,
which may be
subsequently controlled (e.g., using a number of control valves) to adjust
feed dilution
parameters.
In some embodiments, the shaker table apparatus 100 described herein may
comprise a
PLC/HMI combination which may be compatible with PROFINET TCP/IP/Ethernet
communication protocol. In some embodiments, the dressing water nozzles 29 may
be
individually-controlled nozzles which allow for finer adjustments of wash
water. The nozzles
29 may be manually-controlled, but could be automated with off-the-shelf
control valves that
communicate with a control system having a CPU or PLC. The CPU/PLC may be
operatively
coupled with or make up a portion of said aforementioned PLC/HMI. In some
embodiments,
water filtration steps may be utilized to improve the quality of dressing
water and thereby reduce
dressing water nozzle 29 clogging. In such instances, filtration means may be
provided
upstream of the dressing water nozzles 29, tubes 19, and/or manifolds 17, 18,
66. In some
embodiments, an accelerometer with HMI readout may be provided for improved
repeatability
of the motion of tabletop deck 4. In some embodiments, the tabletop deck 4 may
be canted at a
pitch angle between one and three degrees, and may be preferably canted at a
pitch angle of
approximately two degrees. Levels, inclinometers, level indicating indicia, or
self-leveling
apparatus may be employed to maintain tabletop pitch angle. In most simple
embodiments, a
manual inclinometer may be utilized for initial setup. Buzzers or equivalent
awareness means
may be employed so that if the pitch angles deviate from optimum operating
conditions or
predetermined settings having set minimum and/or maximum thresholds, an
operator may be
alerted to check the table orientation. Table geometry and groove 59 profiles
may be designed
and optimized for maximized precious metal recovery, without limitation, and
the particular
unique patterns shown in the figures are for illustrative purposes only.
A contractor or other entity may provide a shaker table apparatus or operate a
shaker
table apparatus in whole, or in part, as shown and described. For instance,
the contractor may
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receive a bid request for a project related to designing or operating a shaker
table apparatus, or
the contractor may offer to design any number of shaker table apparatus or
components thereof,
or may offer to provide a process for a client involving one or more of the
features shown and
described herein. The contractor may then provide, for example, any one or
more of the
devices, features, or steps shown and/or described in the embodiments
discussed above. The
contractor may provide such devices by selling those devices or by offering to
sell those
devices. The contractor may provide various embodiments that are sized,
shaped, and/or
otherwise configured to meet the design criteria of a particular client or
customer. The
contractor may subcontract the fabrication, delivery, sale, or installation of
a shaker table
apparatus or a component of the devices disclosed, or of other devices used to
provide said
devices. The contractor may also survey a site and design or designate one or
more storage
areas for storing the material used to manufacture the shaker table devices
disclosed herein, or
for storing the devices themselves and/or components thereof. The contractor
may also
maintain, modify, or upgrade the provided devices or prior devices. The
contractor may provide
such maintenance or modifications by subcontracting such services or by
directly providing
those services or components needed for said maintenance or modifications, and
in some cases,
the contractor may modify a preexisting shaker table apparatus, manifold,
tabletop, or parts
thereof with a "retrofit kit" to arrive at a modified apparatus comprising one
or more method
steps, devices, components, or features of the systems and processes discussed
herein.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments
and
applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can
generate additional
embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or
exceeding the scope
of the claimed. For example, as previously stated, there may be an angle of
tilt of tabletop
centerline relative to the horizontal (flat ground) in some embodiments. This
angle of tilt
may range from 0 to 10 degrees, (e.g.. 1-5 degrees. for instance 3.3 degrees
without
limitation). Moreover, various materials may be used to construct a shaker
table according to
the invention. In some embodiments, tabletops may be constructed of finished
fiberglass
formed by urethane toolboard "master patterned" molds. In some embodiments,
dressing
water nozzles 29 shown may be integral with the table, such that the table is
formed or
otherwise molded with raised bosses which are machined to integrally form the
nozzles 29 to
the table. In some embodiments, nozzles may comprise simple low profile pipe
tips which
are bent at 90 degrees and pressed into small holes in the table. The dressing
water tubes 19,
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themselves, may be bent and secured to the tabletop deck assembly 4 to form an
alternative
low-profile dressing water nozzle.
Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein
are
proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and
should not be
construed to limit the scope thereof.
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REFERENCE NUMERAL IDENTIFIERS
1 SUPPORT FRAME WELDMENT
2 ROCKER PLATE BEARING
3 ROCKER PLATE WELDMENT
4 TABLETOP DECK ASSEMBLY
5 INEEED PAD MOLDED
6 VFD
7 DRIVE GEARMOTOR
8 ECCENTRIC BUSHING
9 DRIVE BEARING
10 DRIVE ADAPTER
11 DRIVE ROD WELDMENT
12 SPRING SEAT (INNER)
13 SPRING SEAT (OUTER)
14 DRIVE SPRING
15 DRAIN AND NUT
16 CAST BUMPER
17 DRESSING WATER VALVE MANIFOLD (LH)
18 DRESSING WATER VALVE MANIFOLD (RH)
19 DRESSING WATER TUBE
20 MANIFOLD SUPPORT 1 -WELDMENT
21 MANIFOLD SUPPORT 2- WELDMENT
22 DRAIN HOSE
23 FEED HOPPER SUPPORT WELDMENT
24 HOPPER BRACKET - WELDMENT
25 FEED HOPPER - WELDMENT
26 WATER FILTER MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY
27 HOLD DOWN PATTERN
28 WATER SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTION BARB
29 DRESSING WATER NOZZLE
30 HEAD - LOW PROFILE
31 BODY
32 NOZZLE OPENING
33 CENTRAL OPENING
34 0-RING
35 OPTIONAL OUTER THREAD
36 BODY
37 COLLET
38 TORQUE-ENGAGING SURFACE
39 CAVITY
40 DIVERTER FEATURE
CONCENTRATE (HIGH GRADE) BASIN (DRAIN #8)
51 MIDS2 (HIGH GRADE) BASIN (DRAIN #7)
52 MIDS1 (LOWER GRADE) BASIN (DRAIN #4, #5, AND #6)
45 53 TAILS BASIN (DRAIN #1, #2, AND #3)
54 DRESSING WATER NOZZLE ARRAY
APERTURES
56 FEED END
57 DISCHARGE END
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58 ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO VFD
59 GROOVES
60 SEPARATION SYSTEM
61 FEED AUGER
62 AGITATED SUMP
63 CONCENTRATOR FLUSH FEED POINT
64 TAILS SUMP AND PUMP
65 LOCKABLE GOLD CONCENTRATE BOX
66 DRESSING WATER VALVE MANIFOLDS
67 ACCESS PLATFORM
68 ACCESS LADDER
69 MAGNETIC SEPARATOR
70 TABLE FEED FUNNEL
71 USER PLATFORM
72 SWECO SCREEN
100 SHAKER TABLE APPARATUS
