The mining sector absolutely requires high-volume and continuous material flow during the stages of mineral ore extraction, processing, and conversion into a final product. Precisely and reliably controlling this flow is a critical necessity for plant efficiency and process safety.
The Rotary Feeder (rotary airlock valve) is an essential and indispensable piece of equipment used in mining facilities to ensure the controlled and continuous transfer of dust, granular, or small-particle bulk materials from a hopper or silo. Its most important function is to allow material passage between two different pressure zones while minimizing air leakage (pressure or vacuum).
What is the Function of a Rotary Feeder in Mining Crushing and Screening Plants?
Mining crushing and screening plants are areas where materials of different sizes are separated, and the formation of intense dust is inevitable. In these facilities, the rotary feeder typically undertakes a vital role for dosing and feeding purposes.
- Precise Dosing: It is an excellent tool for feeding ground or fine-grained materials (e.g., limestone, gypsum, or concentrate ore) that will be sent to mills, mixers, or dryers at a pre-determined speed and volume.
- Stable Flow Control: It plays a key role in transferring material taken from post-crushing storage silos to subsequent processing steps (e.g., flotation or chemical processing) at a constant flow rate, thus firmly supporting the stable operation of the process.
What is the Function of a Rotary Feeder in Pulse Jet Filters?
The fine dust generated during mining activities must be collected due to occupational health and environmental regulations. Dust collection systems used for this purpose, such as bag filters (pulse jet filters) or cyclones, must continuously discharge the collected dust from the system.
- Reliable Airlock: The rotary feeder acts as a perfect airlock between the bottom hopper of the dust collection unit (low pressure) and the silo or transfer line (atmospheric or different pressure) where the dust is collected.
- Maximum Efficiency: This ensures that the collected dust is discharged from the system while the pressure balance within the dust collection unit is absolutely maintained, maximizing filter efficiency.
How Does a Rotary Feeder Provide Efficiency in Dusty Environments?
The reasons for choosing a rotary feeder are the required material flowability, pressure differential management, and dosing precision. In mining, it is specifically used in the following critical processes:
- Pneumatic Conveying Lines: To prevent air leakage at the entry or exit of dust or granular materials being conveyed by a pneumatic system (with air).
- Drying Facilities: For the controlled transfer of dry and hot material exiting the dryer as it transitions to atmospheric pressure.
- Under Raw Material Silos: For the consistent and continuous transfer of material from silos to the conveyor or other equipment.
The rotary feeder, with its specialized rotor, body, and seal options designed for the dusty and abrasive environments in mining, makes very important contributions to the reliable and long-lasting operation of facilities.