MINERAL SLURRY DRYING METHOD AND SYSTEM
The present invention provides a method and system for drying mineral slurry concentrate and high moisture content minerals using activated alumina. The method and system dries the mineral slurry concentrate by combining the slurry with the activated alumina. While in combination, the mixture is agitated to maximize surface contact between the activated alumina and the slurry. As the mineral slurry concentrate contacts the activated alumina, the surfactant moisture on the mineral elements is then absorbed by the activated alumina. The activated alumina allow for the water molecules to be adsorbed by the activate alumina, thus being removed from the slurry elements. After a period of agitation, the method and system thereby separates the activated alumina from the mineral slurry concentrate.
1 . A method for processing mineral slurry comprising:
receiving a mineral slurry concentrate having mineral components below a threshold size combined in a solution having a moisture content;
combining a first volume of the mineral slurry concentrate with a second volume of activated alumina;
reducing the moisture content of the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate through contacting engagement with activated alumina such that moisture content of the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate is reduced by the transference of water molecules into the activated alumina;
separating the second volume of activated alumina from the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate; and
discharging the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate, having the moisture content reduced therein, for further processing.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mineral slurry concentrate includes iron ore.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting engagement includes agitating the mineral slurry concentrate with the activated alumina.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting engagement of the activated alumina and mineral slurry concentrate is for a first period of time.
5 . The method of claim 4 further comprising:
adjusting the moisture content of the mineral slurry concentrate by adjusting the first period of time.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the drying includes adjusting the second volume of activated alumina for contacting engagement.
7 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
separating the second volume of activated alumina from the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate using at least one of: a screening process and a magnetism process.
8 . A system for processing mineral slurry comprising:
a receiving device operative to receive a mineral slurry concentrate having mineral components below a threshold size combined in a solution, the slurry having a moisture content;
a combination unit for holding a first volume of the mineral slurry concentrate and a second volume of activated alumina;
a distribution unit for placing the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate in the combination unit;
a activated alumina distribution unit for placing the second volume of activated alumina in the combination unit, such that the moisture content of the mineral slurry concentrate is reduced by the transference of water molecules into activated alumina;
a separation device for separating the activated alumina from the mineral slurry concentrate; and
a discharge device for discharging the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate, having the moisture content reduced therein, for further processing.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the mineral slurry concentrate includes iron ore.
10 . The system of claim 8 further comprising:
an agitation device for agitating the combination unit and thereby agitating the mineral slurry concentrate and activated alumina when in contacting engagement.
11 . The system of claim 10 further comprising:
a timing device for timing the contact engagement of the activated alumina and mineral slurry concentrate to reduce the moisture content of the mineral slurry concentrate to a first moisture level based on the engagement of the mineral slurry concentrate and activated alumina.
12 . The system of claim 8 further comprising:
the distribution unit including a distribution adjuster for adjusting the first volume of activated alumina in the combination unit.
13 . The system of claim 8 further comprising:
the activated alumina distribution unit including a distribution adjuster for adjusting the second volume of activated alumina in the combination unit.
14 . The system of claim 8 further comprising:
a separation unit operative to separate the second volume of activated alumina from the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate using at least one of: a screening process and a magnetism process.
15 . A method for drying iron ore comprising:
combining a first volume of an iron ore slurry with a second volume of activated alumina;
reducing the moisture content of the first volume of iron ore slurry through contacting engagement with activated alumina to reduce the moisture content of the first volume of iron ore slurry; and
separating the second volume of activated alumina from the first volume of iron ore slurry.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
agitating the iron ore slurry with the activated alumina.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
discharging the first volume of mineral slurry concentrate, having the moisture content reduced therein, for further processing.
18 . A system for drying iron ore comprising:
a combination unit for holding a first volume of iron ore slurry and a second volume of activated alumina;
a distribution unit for placing the first volume of iron ore slurry in the combination unit;
a activated alumina distribution unit for placing the second volume of activated alumina in the combination unit to reduce the moisture content of the first volume of iron ore slurry; and
a separation device for separating the activated alumina from the mineral slurry concentrate.
19 . The system of claim 18 further comprising:
an agitation device for agitating the combination unit and thereby agitating the iron ore slurry and activated alumina when in contacting engagement.
20 . The system of claim 18 further comprising:
a discharge device for discharging the first volume of iron ore slurry, having the moisture content reduced therein, for further processing.