AU2014201893A1

AU2014201893A1 - Device and method for handling a liner element of a grinding mill

Info

Publication number: AU2014201893A1
Application number: AU2014201893A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lars Furtenbach; Clive Heath; Kamran Kermanshahi; Felipe Andres Contreras Melgarejo; William S. Thome
Original assignee: Metso Minerals Sweden AB
Current assignee: Metso USA Inc
Priority date: 2013-04-05
Filing date: 2014-04-02
Publication date: 2014-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-02
Also published as: AU2014201893B2; BR102014008276B1; SE537169C2; CL2014000847A1; SE1350425A1; BR102014008276A2

Abstract

A handling device (1) for a liner element (2) of a grinding mill is disclosed. The handling 5 device (1) comprises at least one attachment element (3, 4) arranged to be attached to said liner element (2), and a lifting element (7) adapted to be connected to a lifting means for lifting said handling device (1). The lifting element (7) has an adjustable lifting point (P) such that said handling device (1) can be adapted in relation to the centre of gravity of said liner element (2). The invention also relates to a method for handling a liner element 10 (2) of a grinding mill using such a handling device (1). Figure for publication Fig. 1. 13 g G>15 !14 8 F ! Fi./

Description

A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING A LINER ELEMENT OF A GRINDING MILL Technical field 5 The invention relates to a device and method for handling a liner element of a grinding mill. Definition In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a 10 stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises". Background art Grinding mills are used to grind mine ore or primary crusher product. One type of 15 grinding mills comprises a drum, in which the material to be ground, i.e. the charge, is ground by rotating the drum. The drum is either horizontally or vertically orientated. The charge is ground by the action of impacts of the charge on the inside wall surface of the drum, as well as impacts of portions of the charge with each other. In some types of horizontal drum mills, called a Ball mill or Pebble mill, balls of hard material, are 20 introduced in the drum, with the charge. When the drum is rotated, the charge is ground also by the action of impacts from the balls. The mill product can either be finished size ready for processing or an intermediate size ready for final grinding in a second grinding mill, such as a Ball mill, Autogenous or Semi-Autogenous mill. Another type of grinding mill comprises a container in which an agitator is 25 arranged. Grinding media, such as steel balls or ceramic or natural pebbles, is provided in the container. Water and the material to be ground are fed into the container. By rotating the agitator, the charge is agitated, such that the grinding media grinds the material to be ground by abrasion and attrition. Also this type of grinding mill may be orientated both vertically and horizontally. 30 The inside parts of these types of grinding mills are heavily exposed to wear during the grinding process. Therefore, the inside parts of a grinding mill can be covered with 1 some kind of wear protection, such as wear-resistant liner elements. These liner elements are large, heavy and difficult to handle in a safe and reliable way. Different types of tools and lifting devices have been provided in order to be able to handle the liner elements in a way that is safe for the maintenance personnel. The lifting tools are normally attached to a 5 plurality of fixed lifting points on the liner element that is intended to be moved. However, a problem arises using these types of conventional lifting tools. Due to the wear, the centre of gravity of the liner element is gradually displaced during its use. This complicates the lifting process when the same lifting tool is used in connection with the fixed lifting points of the liner element for both new and worn down liner elements. 10 The reference to prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Disclosure It would be advantageous if a handling device could be devised for a safe and 15 reliable handling of a liner element of a grinding mill which ameliorates at least to some extent one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art discussed above. According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a handling device for a liner element of a grinding mill, comprising at least one attachment element arranged to be attached to the liner element, and a lifting element adapted to be connected to a lifting 20 means for lifting the handling device. The lifting element has an adjustable lifting point such that the handling device can be adapted in relation to the centre of gravity of the liner element. The centre of gravity of the liner element will be displaced during use due to wear. The new handling device is advantageous in that its lifting point is adjustable in order to meet the changes of the liner element, while still using the original and fixed lifting points 25 provided in the liner element. This will render the entire handling process of the liner element safe and reliable, both prior to, during and after use of the liner element in a grinding mill, using one and the same handling device. The handling device may comprise an elongated beam, which creates a stability of the device and makes it easy to manufacture. 30 The handling device may further comprise a stabilizing element adapted to engage with the liner element. The stabilizing element may extend in a transverse direction from the handling device in order to engage with an edge of the liner element. The effect of the 2 stabilizing element is an increased stabilization during the lifting process of the liner element. The stabilizing element may comprise any one of the group consisting of a chain, a wire and a bar, which are all preferred embodiments of the invention. The handling device may comprise a first and a second attachment element 5 provided on a first and a second end of the handling device, thereby creating stability of the handling device. Each one of the first and second attachment elements may comprise a rotatable shaft having a through hole adapted to receive an attachment means. The rotatable shafts make it possible to align the lifting points of the handling device in relation to eventual inclined surfaces on the liner element. Inclined surfaces may appear on the 10 surfaces of the liner element due to wear of the same. The rotatable shafts of the first and second attachment element preferably extend in a transverse direction in relation to a longitudinal direction of the handling device. The handling device may comprise a first and second attachment means, the attachment means being adapted to attach the liner to the handling device via the rotatable 15 shafts of the first and second attachment element and lifting points of the liner element. The attachment means may be of any suitable sort, such as a pin, a bolt or a screw. The attachment means is preferably provided through the lifting points of the liner element from the bottom section of the same and secured to the handling device on the top section of the liner element. This way, no service personnel need to be located underneath the liner 20 element during the fastening operation to the handling device. The lifting element may be provided on an upper section of the handling device, which facilitates the use fastening operation between the lifting element and the lifting means which will be used for lifting the handling device. The lifting element may comprise a plurality of through holes, each through hole being adapted to receive the lifting means for 25 lifting the handling device. This is advantageous in that the handling device in a simple and reliable way may be adapted in relation to the centre of gravity of the liner element. The handling device is preferably used in connection with a vertical mill, which may be called a vertical tower mill or stirred media detritor. A handling device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention 30 helps to achieve an advantage of a safe and reliable handling of a liner element of a grinding mill. 3 According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for handling a liner element of a grinding mill using a handling device. The method comprises attaching at least one attachment element of the handling device to the liner element, and connecting a lifting element of the handling device to a lifting means for lifting the handling device. 5 The method includes adjusting a lifting point of the lifting element in order to adapt the handling device in relation to the centre of gravity of the liner element. The method may be performed using any suitable type of handling device and is not limited to for use in connection with the handling device described in the present application. Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will appear from the 10 following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features. Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be 15 interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. Brief Description of the Drawings The above, as well as additional features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting 20 detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals may be used for similar elements, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a handling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure attached to a new liner element; and 25 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the handling device in Fig. 1 attached to a worn liner element. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Disclosure Fig. 1 illustrates a handling device 1 attached to an unutilized liner element 2 intended for use as wear protection in a grinding mill (not shown). The handling device 1 30 has a first attachment element 3 provided on a first end 5, a second attachment element 4 provided on a second end 6, and a lifting element 7 provided on an upper section of the 4 handling device 1 and adapted to be connected to a lifting means (not shown) for lifting the handling device 1. Each one of the first and second attachment elements 3, 4 has a rotatable shaft 8, 9 comprising a through hole 10, 11, respectively. The rotatable shafts 8, 9 of the first and second attachment element 3, 4 extend in a transverse direction in 5 relation to a longitudinal direction of the handling device 1. The rotatable shaft 8 of the first attachment element 3 is adapted to receive a first attachment means 12 via the through hole 10, and the rotatable shaft 9 of the second attachment element 4 is adapted to receive a second attachment means 13 via the through hole 11. The first and second attachment means 12, 13 is used to attach the liner element 2 to the handling device by 10 being introduced through fixed lifting points 14, 15 of the liner element 2 and subsequently through the through holes 10, 11 of the first and second attachment elements 3, 4 of the handling device 2, thereby connecting the liner element 2 to the handling device 1. The first and second attachment means 12, 13 may be of any suitable sort, but are in this embodiment constituted by a bolt and a nut. The lifting element 7 of the handling device 1 15 has an adjustable lifting point P so that the handling device 1 can be adapted in relation to the centre of gravity of liner element 2. In this embodiment, the lifting element 7 comprises a plurality of through holes 16, each of which is adapted to receive the lifting means for lifting the handling device 1. Thus, the lifting point P of the handling device 1 is changed by simply transferring the lifting means between the through holes 16 of the lifting element 20 7. The lifting element 7 is provided on an upper section of the handling device 1 in order to make it easy to access for the service personnel. The handling device 1 further comprises a stabilizing element 17. The stabilizing element 17 extends in a transverse direction from the handling device 1 and is adapted to engage with an outer edge of the liner element 2 in order to increase the stabilization of the lifting process of the liner element 2. The 25 stabilizing element 17 may be of any suitable material. However, in this embodiment, the stabilizing element 17 is constituted by a metal chain with a U-shaped grip means attached to its outer end. In Fig. 2, the handling device 1 attached to a worn liner element 2 is illustrated. The lifting point P of the handling device 1 has been adjusted in relation to the new centre 30 of gravity of the liner element 2. The adjustment has been carried out by simply transferring the lifting means to one of the through holes 17 of the lifting element corresponding to the new centre of gravity of the liner element 2. When a liner element 2 of a grinding mill is to be attached or detached, the handling device 1 is provided within the grinding mill. Thereafter, the first attachment 5 means 12 is introduced through one of the fixed lifting points 14 of the liner element 2 and further to and through the though hole 10 in the rotatable shaft 8 of the first attachment element 3. The first attachment element 3 is then secured on the upper section of the handling device 1 using, for example, a nut. Then, the second attachment means 13 is 5 introduced through another one of the fixed lifting points 15 of the liner element 2 and further to and through the though hole 10 in the rotatable shaft 9 of the second attachment element 4. The second attachment element 4 is then secured on the upper section of the handling device 1 using, for example, a nut. Lastly, the lifting point P of the lifting element 7 is adjusted, if necessary, in relation to the centre of gravity of the liner element 2. A lifting 10 means can thereafter be connected to the lifting point P of the lifting element 7 and operate the liner element 2. As a precautionary measure, the stabilizing element 17 extending transversely from the handling device 1 may be attached to an outer edge of the liner element 2, thereby increasing the stability of the lifting process. The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments 15 described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims. For instance, the lifting element may be designed in another way as long as the lifting point of the handling device is adjustable. One single or a plurality of grooves may be used instead of holes. 20 The components of the handling device may be manufactured of any suitable material having a satisfactory set of characteristics. The same applies to their shape and size. The attachment means may be constituted by an element which has a threaded bottom section which is connected to a top section comprising a loop. The attachment 25 means is attached to the lifting device by means of the attachment element which is passed through the loop of the attachment means, and attached to the liner element by the threaded bottom section which is passed through the fixed lifting point of the liner element. 6

Claims

1. A handling device for a liner element of a grinding mill, comprising 5 at least one attachment element arranged to be attached to said liner element , and a lifting element adapted to be connected to a lifting means for lifting said handling device, wherein said lifting element has an adjustable lifting point such that said handling device can be adapted in relation to the centre of gravity of said liner element. 10

2. A handling device according to claim 1, wherein said handling device comprises an elongated beam.

3. A handling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a stabilizing element adapted to engage with said liner element.

4. A handling device according to claim 3, wherein said stabilizing element extends in 15 a transverse direction from said handling device.

5. A handling device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said stabilizing element comprises any one of the group consisting of a chain, a wire and a bar.

6. A handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handling device comprises a first and a second attachment element provided on a first 20 and a second end of said handling device.

7. A handling device according to claim 6, wherein each one of said first and second attachment elements comprise a rotatable shaft having a through hole adapted to receive an attachment means.

8. A handling device according to claim 7, wherein said rotatable shaft of said first 25 and second attachment element extend in a transverse direction in relation to a longitudinal direction of said handling device. 7

9. A handling device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said handling device comprises a first and second attachment means, said attachment means being adapted to attach said liner element to said handling device via said rotatable shafts of said first and second attachment element and lifting points of said liner element. 5

10. A handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting element is provided on an upper section of said handling device.

11. A handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting element comprises a plurality of through holes, each through hole being adapted to receive said lifting means for lifting said handling device. 10

12. A handing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said grinding mill is a vertical grinding mill.

13. A method for handling a liner element of a grinding mill using a handling device, comprising attaching at least one attachment element of said handling device to said liner 15 element, connecting a lifting element of said handling device to a lifting means for lifting said handling device, and w h e r e i n a lifting point of said lifting element is adjusted in order to adapt said handling device in relation to the centre of gravity of said liner element. 20

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said grinding mill is a vertical grinding mill. 8