10 Q&A You Need To Know About Spiral Chute

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Gravity separation is a well-known process in the mining industry for efficiently extracting valuable minerals while minimizing environmental impact. This method is particularly effective for processing coarse-grained materials with significant differences in specific gravity. A prominent piece of equipment used in this process is the spiral chute, which will be explored in this article.

01 - Definition of Spiral Chute

The spiral chute operates as a gravity separation device utilizing the centrifugal force produced by ore pulp moving in a spiral motion, allowing for the effective separation of light and heavy minerals.

02 - Separation Range of Spiral Chute

This equipment is versatile and widely used to separate various minerals including non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals, rare metal minerals, and non-metallic minerals with particle sizes ranging from 0.3 to 0.02 mm. Examples include iron, tin, gold, tungsten, and monazite.

03 - Principle of Spiral Chute Beneficiation

The operation involves inclined flow separation, heavily influenced by water current, gravity, inertial centrifugal force, and friction on the chute surface. Ore particles are fed into a slope where they are stratified and separated, with lighter minerals discharged quickly from the chute and heavier ones retained or slowly expelled.

04 - Composition of Spiral Chute

The spiral chute comprises six main components:

(1) An ore divider, which distributes slurry at the top.

(2) The ore feed chute that connects the divider to the main chute.

(3) A series of spiral sections made from fiberglass that form the main chute.

(4) A cutting chute at the discharge end.

(5) An ore receiving bucket to collect different grade streams.

(6) Chute brackets that support the structure.

05 - Classification of Spiral Chute

Based on the particle size of ores, spiral chutes are categorized into:

(1) Coarse-grained chutes designed for feeds over 2-3 mm.

(2) Ore sand chutes for 2-3 mm particles.

(3) Sludge chutes for particles under 0.074 mm.

06 - Structure Parameters of Spiral Chute

Key parameters include:

(1) Chute diameter, which influences processing capacity.

(2) The cross-sectional shape affects the separation efficiency, particularly for particles smaller than 2 mm.

(3) The pitch-diameter ratio, ideally around 0.73, enhances sorting performance.

(4) Chute length and number of turns, which dictate the distance materials travel during processing.

07 - Advantages of Spiral Chute

Some benefits include:

(1) High energy efficiency since it has no moving parts.

(2) Minimal space requirements with substantial processing capacity.

(3) Water conservation with no need for flushing water.

(4) Stable separation indexes even with variations in ore properties.

08 - Disadvantages of Spiral Chute

Challenges presented by spiral chutes include:

(1) Large height differences necessitating pumps for slurry feeding.

(2) Lower concentrate grades, typically suited as roughing tools.

(3) Reduced efficacy with flaky or conjoined ores.

(4) Operational parameters that are difficult to adjust according to ore property changes.

09 - Operation Points of Spiral Chute

(1) Suitable Ore Concentration:

For effective separation, roughing requires an ore concentration of 30%-40%, while beneficiation operates optimally at 40%-60%. Ore particle size and concentration should remain within a 5% fluctuation range.

(2) Suitable Ore Volume:

The volume of feed affects the ore flow's thickness and speed. More ore volume is needed for coarse materials, while finer materials require less.

10 - Development Trend of Spiral Chute

Future advancements in spiral chute technology aim for:

(1) Increased processing capacity and scale.

(2) Enhanced separation efficiency, especially for fine particles.

(3) Better recovery rates of useful minerals.

(4) Energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly designs.

(5) Simplified operation and maintenance processes.

11 - To Wrap Up

As the industry pushes for more energy-efficient and sustainable methods, incorporating gravity separation technologies will become increasingly necessary. For further inquiries on spiral chutes, reach out to our online customer support.

For an in-depth look at additional topics, check out our
Questions You Should Know about industrial brewing equipment.

Interested in exploring Smart spiral chute technology? We welcome your questions.