UNDERWATER MINERAL SORTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS

摘要

Provided are systems and methods for sorting crushed material by gravitationally separating components of the crushed material according to component densities in a liquid column having a bottom layer of a heavy water-immiscible liquid, an intermediate layer of an aqueous salt solution and a top layer of a light water-immiscible liquid. The heavy water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than the aqueous salt solution, the aqueous salt solution has a higher density than the light water-immiscible liquid and the light water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than sea water to maintain the intermediate layer on top of the bottom layer, the top layer on top of the intermediate layer and the top layer in the liquid column.

主权项

1. An underwater crushed material sorting unit comprising:
a container comprising a bottom layer of a heavy water-immiscible liquid, an intermediate layer of an aqueous salt solution and a top layer of a light water-immiscible liquid, wherein the heavy water-immiscible liquid is selected to have a higher density than the aqueous salt solution, the aqueous salt solution is selected to have a higher density than the light water-immiscible liquid and the light water-immiscible liquid is selected to have a higher density than sea water to maintain the intermediate layer on top of the bottom layer, the top layer on top of the intermediate layer and the top layer within the container, and wherein the container is arranged to receive crushed material having a weight distribution; and at least one discharger arranged to remove at least one respective part of the material from at least one respective layer.