Раскрыта физическая сущность предложенного метода. Разработана опытная экспериментальная установка для исследований технологических процессов термоадгезионного отбора и извлечения алмазов из концентрата кимберлитовой руды. Установлена высокая эффективность данного метода.
This research aims to develop a thermal-adhesion method of automated extaraction of diamond grains from kimberlite concentrate after X-ray fluorescent separation. The method is based on the very large difference between thermal conductivities of diamonds and associate minerals in concentrates. A pilot plant has been designed to examine production processes of thermal-adhesion picking and extraction of diamond grains from kimberlite ore concentrate. Based on the analysis of strength of contact between thermal-adhesive substances and diamonds, it is recommended to use pure colophony as the thermal-adhesive substance. High selectivity and efficiency of the developed method for thermal-adhesion picking and extraction of diamond grains has experimentally been proved. It is found that diamond grains securely stick to colophony layer applied to special launders on the surface of conveyor belt. Extraction capacity per one launder of the pilot plant makes 18000-36000 grains/hour. Based on the experimental research, the pilot plant process variables are developed as: heater-roller temperature 150-350º C; colophony layer thickness 0,5-0,9 mm; conveyor belt velocity 30-100 mm/s. The developed method of thermal-adhesion extraction of diamonds from concentrates is secured by the patent of the Russian Federation.