Multi-layer shaking table working principle
The four-layer shaking table is a multi-layer suspended gravity separation device. Four fiberglass bed surfaces are vertically stacked and share a set of eccentric/double-curved toggle drive head. Each layer completes the separation independently. The separation mechanism is completely the same as that of a single-layer 6S shaking table. It relies on the four actions of reciprocating differential shaking + transverse flushing water flow + bed groove vortex + gravity density difference to achieve mineral stratification and separation.
I. Core Structural Foundation
Frame Suspension System: The four bed surfaces and drive head are all suspended by steel wire ropes, resulting in minimal vibration and eliminating the need for a heavy concrete foundation. A unified slope adjustment mechanism allows for synchronous adjustment of the lateral tilt angle of the four bed surfaces (0~12°).
Shared Drive Mechanism: A motor drives an eccentric/double-crank connecting rod to provide asymmetrical differential reciprocating motion to the four bed surfaces: slow forward stroke and rapid rebound, generating longitudinal conveying thrust for particles.
Four Independent Bed Surfaces: Each layer features longitudinally raised bed strips/grooves. The upper layer has wider and higher coarse sand bed strips, while the lower layer has finer mud bed strips. Each layer is equipped with an independent feed trough, flushing water spray, and ore receiving trough (concentrate/mid-ore/tailings).
Water and Feeding System: The slurry is evenly distributed to the four layers, with each layer receiving separate lateral flushing water that flows obliquely along the bed surface.
II. Complete Separation Principle (Four-Step Layered Separation)
1. Slurry Loosening and Separation (Gravity + Eddy Current)
The graded slurry (0.037~2mm) is fed to each bed surface. Laterally flushing water flows through the bed grooves, creating localized eddies within the grooves; the overlapping bed surfaces reciprocate, continuously loosening the compacted slurry layer.
Under the action of gravity settling:
High-density heavy minerals (gold, tungsten, tin, tantalum, niobium, iron ore) settle to the bottom of the ore layer and become trapped in the bed grooves;
Low-density light gangue (quartz, feldspar, clay) remains suspended in the upper water flow, achieving vertical stratification according to density.
2. Differential Motion Creates Vertical Zoning
The asymmetrical reciprocating motion of the bed surface is key to zoning after layering:
* Slow Forward Advancement: Heavy minerals are held in place by the bed strips and slowly move uphill towards the **concentrate end (high end)** with the bed surface;
* Rapid Rebound: Upper-layer light particles have high inertia and slide, unable to be carried by the bed strips and do not move towards the concentrate.
The greater the density difference, the more obvious the difference in longitudinal movement speed, and heavy minerals continuously accumulate in the concentrate area on one side of the bed surface.
3. Lateral Water Flow Diversion
The continuous lateral flushing water exerts a lateral thrust on the ore layer:
The bottom layer heavy minerals are blocked by the bed strips, resulting in minimal lateral displacement and concentration on one side of the bed surface, forming a concentrate zone;
The middle layer medium-density particles (intergrowths) are pushed a distance by the water flow, forming a mid-mineral zone;
The upper layer light gangue is directly washed away by the lateral water flow and discharged along the lower end of the bed surface, becoming the tailings zone.
