TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to beneficiation equipment, and in particular an improved chute that promotes the mixing of a feed aggregate material.

BACKGROUND

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

[003] In certain conventional chute designs, the aggregate material is fed into a chute via an inlet and into an internal cavity of the chute where it 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. The aggregate stack acts as an impact bed and allows material to gravitationally flow along the sides of the stack toward one or more discharge ports of the chute.

[004] The conventional design of the chute provides a controlled energy state of the aggregate material as it is transported from a position of height to a lower position, mitigating the equipment damage at the lower position. For example, if a 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 the equipment surface below. Accordingly, the use of the chute reduces the energy profile of the aggregate material as it is transported vertically and provides a lower velocity material that is distributable and dispersible with greater control at the bottom on the chute.

[005] However, conventional chutes are designed for use with aggregate material that is substantially homogeneous in, for example, the distribution of material properties (e.g. mineral hardness) and individual particle sizes throughout the aggregate material. This may cause downstream issues in certain beneficiation systems if the aggregate material is nonhomogeneous. This problem is particularly prevalent in larger mine sites that use long distance conveyor transportation as during conveyor transportation the solid aggregate materials often segregate with the coarser particles settling to one side of the conveyor and the finer particles settling to the other side of the conveyor. Alternatively, this problem may be experienced when two conveyors with aggregates from different processes are combined into one conveyor stream, which is naturally segregated as a result.

[006] In conventional chutes, a nonhomogeneous aggregate material may be fed from a belt conveyor with softer and finer particles along a one side of the conveyor and harder and coarser particles along the other side of the conveyor. As this material passes through the chute, the particles of the aggregate material are further segregated with the finer particles preferentially settling into the aggregate stack and the coarser particles preferentially flowing along the sides of the aggregate stack to the discharge ports. This may significantly impact the aggregate flow through the chute and encourages an asymmetric material flow profile at the discharge port(s). This is particularly problematic with taller chutes as the asymmetry is amplified across the total height of the chute. As a result, there is an uneven distribution of minerals and particle sizes downstream, which may reduce downstream processing efficiencies and product yields.

[007] In some beneficiation systems, this shortcoming may be prevented through classifying the aggregate material into separate streams before the chute and processing each stream individually; however, this approach requires significant equipment, energy, and/or labour to function.

[008] The present inventor(s) have sought an alternative design for an improved chute that promotes the mixing of aggregate material in the chute.

[009] 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

[010] In a first aspect there is provided a chute comprising: a chute body having an inlet for receiving an aggregate material and a discharge port for distributing the aggregate material downstream; and two or more receiving structures disposed between the inlet and the discharge port, wherein each receiving structure includes a platform for receiving the aggregate material from the inlet; and wherein the receiving structures are separated by a gap.

[011] In an embodiment, the platform of each receiving structure extends from a side wall of the chute body.

[012] In an embodiment, each receiving structure includes a first wall and a second wall.

[013] In an embodiment, the first wall extends from a first edge of the platform, and the second wall extends from a second edge of the platform. [014] In an embodiment, the platform, the first wall and the second wall define a substantially U-shaped channel with an open end for guiding the aggregate material towards the gap.

[015] In one embodiment, the platform of each receiving structure is substantially rectangular in shape and may be substantially perpendicular to the inlet.

[016] In a preferred embodiment the channel has a channel length measured from the side wall to the open end, a channel width measured from the first edge to the second edge, and a channel height defined by a maximum height of the first or second wall, and wherein the length, width, and height are dimensioned in a ratio of about 10x:7x:8x, respectively, wherein x is the maximum particle size of the aggregate.

[017] In one embodiment the gap between the receiving structures is about 3x.

[018] In an embodiment, the gap is configured to allow aggregate material to fall therethrough towards the discharge port.

[019] In another embodiment the discharge port has a width of about 10x.

[020] In one embodiment the discharge port has a discharge port length of about 6x.

[021] In some embodiments the discharge port has an adjustable discharge port length.

[022] In an embodiment, the platform extends transversely from a side wall of the chute body.

[023] In some embodiments the platform extends from a side wall of the chute body at an angle of 90 ^e or more to the side wall.

[024] In some embodiments the platform extends from a side wall of the chute body at an angle of less than 90 ^e to the side wall.

[025] In some embodiments each platform is substantially perpendicular to a side wall of the chute body.

[026] In some embodiments each receiving structure in the chute is substantially identical.

[027] In some embodiments the receiving structures are disposed on opposing side walls.

[028] In some embodiments the receiving structures are located at different distances from the inlet.

[029] In some embodiments the receiving structures are directly opposite each other.

[030] In an embodiment, the inlet includes a mechanism for directing the aggregate material toward the receiving structures.

[031] In one embodiment, the gap is located on or adjacent to a centre axis of the chute body.

[032] In an embodiment, the discharge port is located at an end of the chute body distal to the inlet. [033] In an embodiment, the end of the chute body is substantially flat.

[034] In an embodiment, the end of the chute body is angled toward the discharge port.

[035] In an embodiment, the chute includes one or more additional receiving structures below the two or more receiving structures for further reducing the energy profile of the aggregate material as it is transported through the chute body.

[036] In a second aspect, there is provided a method for mixing an aggregate material, the method including: directing aggregate material through the inlet of the chute of the first aspect; receiving the aggregate material in the two or more receiving structures, each receiving structure being separated by the gap; and allowing the aggregate material to fall between the gap towards the discharge port.

[037] In a third aspect there is provided a method for mixing an aggregate material, the method including: directing aggregate material through an inlet of a chute; receiving the aggregate material in the two or more receiving structures below the inlet, each receiving structure being separated by a gap; and allowing the aggregate material to fall between the gap towards the discharge port.

[038] In an embodiment, the method may further comprise forming an aggregate stack on a platform of each receiving structure.

[039] In an embodiment, the aggregate stacks form a shape that facilitates aggregate flow towards the gap.

[040] In an embodiment, the aggregate material flows along the aggregate stack to an open side of the two or more receiving structures.

[041] In one embodiment the average particle size in one of the aggregate stacks is substantially less than the aggregate particle size in the aggregate stack on another platform.

[042] In an embodiment, each aggregate stack has a different aggregate flowrate towards the gap.

[043] In an embodiment, the different aggregate flowrate is due to difference in aggregate particle size.

[044] In one embodiment the aggregate material is a substantially solid aggregate material.

[045] In one embodiment the aggregate material at the inlet is nonhomogeneous. [046] In another embodiment, the aggregate material at the discharge port is substantially homogeneous.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[049] Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a chute according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in a typical installation position of a beneficiation process;

[050] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the chute of Figure 1 ;

[051] Figure 3 illustrates a cutaway isometric view of the front of the chute of Figure 1 ;

[052] Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the chute of Figure 1 ; and

[053] Figure 5 illustrates an example aggregate material flow distribution of the chute of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[054] Figure 1 illustrates a chute 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The chute 1 is located downstream of a belt conveyor system 2. The belt conveyor system 2 provides the chute 1 with aggregate material to be distributed for further processing.

[055] As shown in Figures 2-4, the chute 1 comprises a chute body 5. The chute body 5 includes an inlet 10 for receiving the aggregate material which then falls into a receiving section 11 of the chute 1 . The receiving section 11 is shown to include two receiving structures 6 with a gap 12 therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment each receiving structure 6 has a platform 13 (extending from the side walls of the chute body 5), a first wall 14, and a second wall 15. The first wall 14 and second wall 15 are perpendicular to the inlet 10 direction. It will be appreciated that the platform 13, first wall 14 and second wall 15 can be various shapes and need not be strictly rectangular.

[056] In the illustrated configuration, the receiving structures 6 form a channel with generally U-shaped cross section. The receiving structures 6 have an open side adjacent to the gap 12. The side wall of the chute body 5 closes off the other side of receiving structures 6 to form the channel. The inventor(s) have found this channel to be advantageous for forming aggregate stacks on the platforms 13. The aggregate stacks act as impact beds to reduce wear on the receiving structure 6. In particular, the aggregate stacks absorb some of the impact force from falling aggregate particles from the inlet 10 and disperse this force through the aggregate particles in the aggregate stack. This reduces the impact force experienced by the components of the receiving structure 6. Over time, the aggregate stacks will provide for aggregate material to gravitationally flow along the sides of the stack to the open side of the receiving structures 6, into the gap 12, and fall to an end 16 of the chute body 5 where it is discharged through a discharge port 17 for further processing downstream (e.g. to a downstream cone crusher).

[057] The platform of the receiving structure may be perpendicular to the side wall from which it extends, or may be angled towards the side wall (i.e. less than 90 ^e to the side wall) or away from the side wall (i.e. more than 90 ^e to the side wall).

[058] The end 16 of the chute body 5 is shown to be substantially flat such that the aggregate material may also form in this area and as a further impact bed to reduce the wear around the inlet of the discharge port 17. In alternative embodiments, the end 16 may be angled toward the inlet of the discharge port 17 to guide the aggregate material toward the discharge port 17. The discharge port 17 may be of square or circular shape, and/or may have a fixed or adjustable discharge port length.

[059] The components and configuration of the chute 1 facilitate mixing of the aggregate material fed to the inlet 10 of the chute body 5. This is demonstrated in the model of Figure 5, showing an aggregate material at the inlet 10 with a fine particle side 100 and a coarse particle side 101. The fine particle side 100 falls onto a platform 13a and forms a fine aggregate stack 102, while the coarse particle side 101 falls onto a platform 13b and forms a coarse aggregate stack 103. As shown, these aggregate stacks 102, 103 are dissimilar in their size, shape and/or density, as these factors are based on the characteristics of the respective particles falling into these aggregate stacks 102, 103. In certain embodiments, the particles at fine particle side 100, coarse particle side 101 and in aggregates stacks 102, 103 may also differ in mineralogy, hardness, or chemical compositions of the particles. Accordingly, due to these dissimilarities, each aggregate stack 102, 103 will have a different aggregate flowrate toward the gap 12, which will form a mixed aggregate stream 104 that will pass through to the end 16 of the chute body 5 and the discharge port 17. In this configuration, a middle section 105 of the aggregate material (e.g. with a middle particle size) at the inlet 10 may directly fall to the mixed aggregate stream 104; however, in alternative embodiments the inlet 10 may include a blocking mechanism to direct substantially all of the aggregate material to the fine particle side 100 and platform 13a, or the coarse particle side 101 and platform 13b.

[060] In the Figures, the two receiving structures 6 are shown to be identical and arranged at the same level relative to each other in the chute. However it will be appreciated that they may be dimensioned or placed individually in the chute 1 depending on the characteristics of the feed aggregate material to enhance the impact bed effect and desired mixing effect. [061] Furthermore, the receiving structures 6 may be shaped differently for similar reasons, for example, only comprising a platform 13, or a combination of only a platform 13 and one of either the first wall 14 or the second wall 15. In some embodiments the receiving structures 6 may be offset from each other.

[062] While the illustrated embodiments provide two receiving structures, in other embodiments the chute 1 may have additional receiving structures (not shown) located distal to the inlet and the illustrated receiving structures 6. The additional receiving structures may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the receiving structures 6 and facilitate further mixing of the aggregate in the chute 1 .

[063] The receiving structures 6 are typically located on opposing side walls of the chute body 5. The receiving structures can be directly opposite each other as illustrated, for example, in Figure 4. Alternatively the receiving structures may be at different distance from the inlet such that they are offset from each other (i.e. each is at a different height level of the chute when the chute is vertical).

[064] As shown in Figure 2, the receiving structures 6 may also be designed to not extend the entire width of the side wall of the chute body 5. This can be advantageous in, for example, providing a smaller surface area of the platform 13 to promote the formation of aggregate stacks, to reduce the weight of the aggregate stacks (that would have to be supported by the receiving structures 6), and/or to increase the mixing effect in the gap 12.

[065] The inventor(s) have found this configuration to be particularly advantageous in its adjustability to fit conventional chute shapes/dimensions, low maintenance requirements (particularly due to no moving parts), and even distribution at the discharge port 17 from nonhomogeneous sides of the inlet stream. It will be appreciated that this system may also be applied to homogeneous aggregate materials at the inlet 10, or to nonhomogeneous aggregate materials that differ in variables other than particle size (e.g. mineral content, chemical composition, hardness, density or shapes of aggregates across the inlet sides).

[066] Modelling of the chute 1 has found a preferable ratio of the channel length (measured from the side wall of the chute body 5 to the open side of the receiving structures 6), width (measured from the first wall 14 to the second wall 15) and height (defined by the maximum height of the first/second wall 14,15), gap width, and discharge port 17 width and length relative to the maximum particle size of the aggregate material (x): [067] For example, for a maximum particle size of 100 mm in the aggregate material, this equates to: i) a channel length of about 1000 mm; ii) a width of about 700 mm; and iii) a height of about 800 mm. The gap between the channels would be about 300 mm, and the discharge port would have a width of about 1000 mm and a length of about 600 mm. This allows a better material distribution, in a relatively simple structure, that is easy to maintain and retro-fit to other chutes.

[068] In this context, the 'maximum particle size' refers to a largest length measurement from the particles in the aggregate. For example, for prism-shaped particles this may be the longest side length, or for ellipsoid-shaped particles this may be the major axis length. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the 'maximum particle size' may be a mean or average of the largest length measurements from the particles in the aggregate.

[069] 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.

[070] 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.

[071] 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.