Correlation between ore particle flow pattern and velocity field through multiple drawpoints under the influence of a flexible barrier

Abstract

By means of similar tests, the stope room is scaled and the process of multiple-drawpoint ore drawing under the influence of a flexible barrier is simulated by the marking particle method. Based on the experimental phenomena and data, the shape of the barrier, the draw column, and the numerical relations for the discharge between each drawpoint are analysed. The velocity equation for ore particles flowing through multiple drawpoints is established and the relationship between ore particle flow properties and velocity fields is found. Finally, the following results are derived: 1) For each layer, the morphology of marked particles is similar to that of vertical velocity. The particles are quasi-linear in the upper part of the model and wavy in the lower part. The amplitude increases with decreasing height. 2) The distribution of thirteen concentric points of horizontal velocity in each layer illustrate that the ore particles drawn from each drawpoint are from the centreline between it and the adjacent drawpoint. 3) The barrier and the marked particles are at the lowest sag points at the top of the number two and number six drawpoints (close to the model’s side wall) because of the combination of vertical velocity and horizontal velocity.

Keywords

• ore particle
• the flexible barrier
• multiple drawpoints
• flow pattern
• velocity field