TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to beneficiation equipment, and in particular a distribution chute.

BACKGROUND

[002] A distribution chute is a commonly used beneficiation device in the field of mining and material processing, used for collecting and distributing an aggregate material. Typically, a distribution chute will be designed to receive the aggregate material at a heightened position relative to the ground and distribute this material to a lower position for further processing.

[003] When receiving the aggregate material, the material is fed at a chute inlet into an internal cavity of the chute and falls into a central collection zone of the chute. Over time, the aggregate materials will accumulate at this central collection zone and form an aggregate stack, which will eventually provide for gravitational material flow along the sides of the stack toward one or more discharge ports of the distribution chute.

[004] The primary advantage of a distribution chute is to control the energy state of the aggregate material as it is transported from position of height to a lower position and mitigate any equipment damage at the lower position. For example, if a distribution chute was not used, the high potential energy of the aggregate material will be converted into kinetic energy over the height differential and likely cause damage to any equipment positioned below. Accordingly, the use of the chute provides for the aggregate material to be transported vertically by reducing the energy profile of the aggregate material and providing a lower velocity material that is distributable and dispersible with greater control at the bottom on the chute.

[005] However, the effectiveness of a distribution chute will depend on a number of production factors which may not be known at the time of designing and manufacturing the chute.

[006] For example, use of a distribution chute could be for delivering aggregate materials processed by an Autogenous Grinding Mill (AG mill), the outlet of which is elevated from the ground, to a vibrating screen positioned on the ground. The AG mill rotates clockwise or counter-clockwise when discharging the aggregates to the chute. The central collection zone and aggregate stack may therefore be at a non-central position of the chute (i.e. to the left or the right of the chute central axis). This may significantly impact the aggregate flow through the chute and encourages an asymmetric flow profile at the discharge ports. This is likely problematic for taller distribution chutes, as the asymmetry is amplified across the total height of the chute such that the material flow at the discharge ports is not uniform and unevenly distributed along the vibrating screen surface. This further causes localised wear areas in both the chute and the screen, reducing efficiency and increasing maintenance requirements.

[007] In this regard, it is noted that the structure of typical distribution chute installations also significantly impacts the maintenance requirements of further beneficiation equipment below the chute, e.g. the vibrating screen. Referring to the above example, the main body of a distribution chute is typically constructed on a traditional steel structure platform with the discharge ports installed hanging from the main body at a position close to the vibrating screen. This close positioning minimises the kinetic energy imparted from the aggregate material dispersed from the discharge port to the vibrating screen. However, due to the close position, maintenance of the vibrating screen commonly requires that the discharge port also be disassembled in order to access the vibrating screen. Depending on the structure of the chute, this could further require disassembly of the entire distribution chute to access the vibrating screen. This greatly extends maintenance time, and reduces the operation rate.

[008] Any reference to or discussion of any document, act or item of knowledge in this specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters or any combination thereof formed at the priority date part of the common general knowledge, or was known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[009] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a distribution chute comprising: an inlet for receiving an aggregate material; a tiered system for transporting the aggregate material, including: a collection part positioned below the inlet, for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the inlet, and a platform positioned below the collection part, for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the collection part; and one or more discharge ports for distributing the aggregate material from a bottom of the tiered system.

[010] The aggregate materials are considered to include any particulate materials, particularly those used or produced in the mining and material processing industries. Such materials are typically present in solid form when provided to the distribution chute, but may also be provided wetted or dispersed in a liquid (i.e. a slurry).

[011] In an embodiment, the collection part has one or more wall sections that are configured to collect the aggregate material and guide it towards the platform. In an embodiment, the collection part forms a collection box.

[012] In an embodiment, the collection part has a higher wall section and a lower wall section. In an embodiment, the lower wall section defines a discharge side for directing the aggregate material toward the platform.

[013] In an embodiment, at least part of the higher wall section is inclined at an angle a from a vertical axis of the distribution chute, for directing the aggregate material to a central position of the collection part.

[014] In an embodiment, angle a is between about 5° and 60°. In further embodiments, angle a may be selected from any angle or angle range between 5° and 60°, for example angle a may be 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, or 60°, or a range having a lower range value of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, and an upper range value (subject to the lower range value) of 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, or 60°.

[015] In an embodiment, the platform further includes one or more angled guide plate groups adapted to adjust the distribution and flowrate of aggregate materials from the collection part toward the discharge ports.

[016] In an embodiment, each guide plate group is symmetrical about a horizontal axis of the distribution chute.

[017] In an embodiment, each guide plate group has a distinct width size \Nx, where x is a guide plate group identifier. In alternative embodiments, two or more guide plate groups may have a similar width size.

[018] In an embodiment, each guide plate group is installed at a differing angle px relative to the horizontal axis of the distribution chute, where x is a guide plate group identifier.

[019] In an embodiment, each angle px is between about 5° and 85°. In further embodiments, angle px may be selected from any angle or angle range between 5° and 85°, for example angle a may be 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, or 85°, or a range having a lower range value of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, or 80°, and an upper range value (subject to the lower range value) of 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, or 85°.

[020] In an embodiment, each guide plate group is installed at a differing distance Lx relative to the horizontal axis of the distribution chute, where x is a guide plate group identifier.

[021] In an embodiment, each angled guide plate group is constructed of a wear- resista nt material.

[022] In an embodiment, the collection part and the platform are positioned on alternating sides of the distribution chute, such that the aggregate material flow changes direction as it falls from the collection part to the platform.

[023] In an embodiment, the inlet and the platform are positioned on a similar side of the distribution chute.

[024] In an embodiment, the tiered system further comprises a buffer box for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the platform, the buffer box being adapted to deliver the aggregate materials to the one or more discharge ports.

[025] In an embodiment, the buffer box is adapted to distribute the aggregate materials substantially evenly between the one or more discharge ports.

[026] In an embodiment, the buffer box comprises two opposed buffer cavities for delivering the aggregate materials to two discharge ports.

[027] In an embodiment, the buffer box includes a removable wear-resistant blocks mounted to its surface for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material.

[028] In an embodiment, the platform and the buffer box are located on alternating sides of the chute, such that the aggregate material flow changes direction as it falls from the platform to the buffer box.

[029] In an embodiment, at least one internal surface of the collection part includes a removable wear- resista nt blocks mounted to its surface for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material. In further embodiments, each internal surface of the collection part includes a removable wear-resistant block.

[030] In an embodiment, at least a floor section of the platform includes a removable wearresistant blocks mounted to its surface for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material. In further embodiments, substantially all of the floor section of the platform include a removable wear-resistant block.

[031] In an embodiment, at least a wall section of the platform includes a removable wearresistant blocks mounted to its surface for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material. In further embodiments, substantially all of the wall section of the platform include a removable wear-resistant block.

[032] In an embodiment, the tiered system utilises removable wear- resista nt blocks mounted to surfaces for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material.

[033] In the context of the invention, the removable wear-resistant blocks may be constructed of any material having an increased wear-resistance compared to the base chute construction material. In preferred embodiments, the removable wear-resistant blocks are installed at any position in the tiered system where the aggregates would likely fall during distribution of the aggregate material. In use, these wear-resistant blocks would preferentially wear in place of the chute construction material and may be replaced as the blocks are substantially worn and risk exposing the chute construction material.

[034] In an embodiment, the chute further comprises a structural framework and each of the inlet, the tiered system, the one or more discharge ports, and the structural framework are assembled together as a single structure, the structural framework being located externally on the distribution chute and comprising a plurality of hoisting points adapted to support the lifting of the single structure

[035] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a distribution chute comprising: an inlet for receiving an aggregate material; a tiered system for transporting the aggregate material that falls from the inlet; and one or more discharge ports for distributing the aggregate material from a bottom of the tiered system; and a structural framework, wherein each of the inlet, the tiered system, the one or more discharge ports, and the structural framework are assembled together as a single structure, the structural framework being located externally on the distribution chute and comprising a plurality of hoisting points adapted to support the lifting of the single structure.

[036] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[037] Various preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a typical installation position of a distribution chute in a beneficiation process;

Figure 2 illustrates a top view the typical installation position of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a traditional distribution chute material flow profile;

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the traditional distribution chute material flow profile of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates an external isometric view of the traditional distribution chute of Figure 3;

Figure 6 illustrates a front view of a distribution chute according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a side view of the distribution chute, shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 illustrates a front sectional view of a tiered system of the distribution chute of Figure 7;

Figure 9 illustrates a side sectional view of a material flow profile of the distribution chute of Figure 7;

Figure 10 illustrates a top sectional view of a material flow profile of a platform of the distribution chute of Figure 7; Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a collection part in the form of a collection box, according to an embodiment of invention, mounted with wear-resistant blocks;

Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of a platform, according to an embodiment of the invention, mounted with wear-resistant blocks;

Figure 13 illustrates angled guide plates according to an embodiment of the invention mounted with wear-resistant blocks; and

Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of a structural framework according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[038] An example of a distribution chute system is shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which an autogenous (AG) mill 1 grinds an ore to produce an aggregate material, which is provided to a distribution chute 2 at a high position for transporting and distributing to two vibrating screens 3 at a lower position for further processing. The AG mill 1 and the vibrating screens 3 have been illustrated for demonstrative purposes only and it will be appreciated that such a distribution chute system could be implemented with alternative equipment, e.g. a semi-autogenous (SAG) mill, ball mill, grinding roll, etc instead of the AG mill 1, or a conveying belt instead of the vibrating screens 3.

[039] Traditional distribution chutes, illustrated in Figures 3-5, typically have an inlet for receiving the aggregate material flow 4a or 4b, which falls down an internal cavity to a tray 5. Over time, the aggregate material will accumulate on this tray and form an aggregate stack, which will flow over to outlets on the bottom of the distribution chute, as shown in Figure 4.

[040] However, the inventors have noted that traditional distribution chutes are ineffective at evenly distributing the aggregate matter to the outlets in systems where the inlet flow is nonideal. For example, an AG mill 1 rotates either clockwise or counter-clockwise during operation which will affect the aggregate material trajectory through the chute. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a clockwise rotation of the AG mill 1 will cause an aggregate material flow 4a to the left of the tray 5, which consequentially will result in the left outlet dispersing a disproportionate amount of the aggregate material. Similarly, a counter-clockwise rotation of the AG mill 1 will cause an aggregate material flow 4b to the right of the tray 5, resulting in the right outlet dispersing a disproportionate amount of the aggregate material. [041] The inventors have accordingly sought to provide an improved distribution chute, embodiments of which are illustrated in Figures 6-10. This distribution chute 2 comprises an inlet 10 for receiving an aggregate material; a tiered system 11 having stages for transporting the aggregate material, the stages including: a collection part in the form of a collection box 12 positioned below the inlet 10, for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the inlet 10, and a platform 13 positioned below the collection box 12, for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the collection box 12; and one or more discharge ports 14 for distributing the aggregate material from a bottom of the tiered system 11. In certain embodiments, illustrated in Figures 7-10, the tiered system 11 further comprises buffer boxes 15 for receiving the aggregate material that falls from the platform 13 and substantially evenly guiding the aggregate materials to the discharge ports 14. The aggregate material guided by the buffer boxes 15 do not fall vertically onto the vibrating screen 3 surface, reducing the potential impact on the screens. While not shown, each buffer box 15 may be adapted for distributing the aggregate materials to one or more discharge ports 14, e.g. a buffer box 15 may have two opposed buffer cavities to distribute the material to two discharge ports 14 of the chute 2.

[042] The stages of the tiered system 11 have each been designed to collect and evenly distribute the aggregate material, even in use scenarios with nonideal inlet flow. In particular, each stage has been designed with particular elements which centralise the formed aggregate stacks and direct the material flow to the next stage.

[043] For example, as shown in Figure 11 , the collection box 12 has a higher wall section comprising the three higher walls, that are each inclined at an angle a from a vertical axis of the distribution chute to reflect stray material particles from the inlet 10 such as to centralise the aggregate stack within the box 12. The box 12 also has a lower wall section defining a discharge side for directing the aggregate stack to fall toward the platform 13. The lower wall section further serves as a retaining wall which increases the aggregate stack size and assists in mitigating the impact from the aggregate material on the collection box 12 (as the falling aggregates are more likely to fall upon the aggregate stack).

[044] Furthermore, as seen in Figures 8, 10 and 13, the platform 13 may include angled guide plate groups 16 which are tailored to further adjust the distribution and flowrate of aggregate materials from the collection box 12 toward the buffer boxes 15 and/or discharge ports 14. Referring particularly to Figures 10 and 13, these angled guide plate groups 16 include two guide plates (16a or 16b) symmetric about a horizontal axis H, where each group may be installed at differing distances Lx relative to the horizontal axis H and may have distinct widths Wx and angles x, where x is a guide plate group identifier. These variables may be adjusted for each guide plate 16 for greater control of the distribution between multiple discharge ports 14.

[045] The design of the tiered system 11 of the invention further provides an advantage in controlling the energy state of the aggregate material while it travels through the chute 2, such as to minimise equipment damage to both the chute 2 and the subsequent vibrating screens 3. Specifically, in the traditional distribution chutes of Figures 3-5, the potential energy of the initial aggregate material is converted into kinetic energy over the entirety of the height range until the material strikes the tray 5 when the energy is absorbed. This causes a high-wear zone on the tray 5 which in turn increases the need for regular maintenance and replacement of the tray 5. Further, the material falling from the tray 5 directly onto the vibrating screens 3 will also cause impact an impact energy onto the screens 3.

[046] In contrast, the stages of the tiered system 11 reduce the maximum height differential between each of the stages and hence reduces the impact energy imparted at any individual stage. This reduces the impact of any localised wear zones at the stages and the subsequent equipment. This is best represented in the material flow diagrams in Figures 9 and 10, in which the aggregate material is fed through the inlet 10 to the collection box 12, where it may form an aggregate stack which overflows to the platform 13, which in turn redirects the aggregate material to the buffer boxes 15 for distribution via outlets 14.

[047] Figures 9 and 10 further illustrate the relative locations of each of the inlet 10, collection box 12, platform 13, and buffer boxes 15 being on alternating sides of the chute 2 such that the aggregate material flow has a direction change at each stage of the tiered system 11. Through this design, the aggregate material energy is further absorbed at every direction change, reducing the wear profile at any one point of the chute 2. This is highly advantageous in reducing the velocity of the aggregate material at the discharge ports 14 for reducing wear on the vibrating screens 3.

[048] In this regard, the invention further relates to the use of removable wear-resistant blocks 17 at one or more stages of the tiered system 11. These blocks 17 may be mounted to wearfacing surfaces of any of the stages for reducing wear imparted from the aggregate material on the base construction material of the chute 2. For example, the blocks 17 may be used on internal surfaces of the collection box 12 (Figure 11), on floor or wall surfaces of the platform 13 (Figure 12), or on the guide plates (Figure 13). As the wear-resistant blocks 17 are worn, they may simply be replaced to extend the effective life of the chute 2. [049] The invention further relates to a chute 2 having a structural framework 18, illustrated in Figure 14, where each of the inlet 10, the tiered system 11, the one or more discharge ports 14, and the structural framework 18 are assembled together as a single structure. The structural framework is located externally on the distribution chute 2 and has a number of hoisting points 19 to support the lifting of the chute 2 as a single structure. This structural framework has been proposed to improve maintenance access to any equipment below the chute 2 (for example the vibrating screens 3) as no disassembly of the chute 2 is required to lift the structure, reducing maintenance time and improving production efficiency.

[050] This is in direct contrast to traditional distribution chutes, for example illustrated in Figure 5, which are constructed on steel structure platforms with their discharge ports installed hanging from the main body at points 6. In particular, to access the vibrating screens 3 or the lower portion of such chutes, the discharge port must be disassembled from the main body and, depending on the structure of the chute, this could further require the disassembly of the entire distribution chute, significantly extending maintenance time.

[051] In this specification, adjectives such as left and right, top and bottom, hot and cold, first and second, and the like may be used to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where context permits, reference to a component, an integer or step (or the alike) is not to be construed as being limited to only one of that component, integer, or step, but rather could be one or more of that component, integer or step.

[052] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[053] The above description relating to embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all modifications, alternatives, and variations that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.