Gold Recovery Fluid Bed

Creating a small and affordable fluidized bed separator is an excellent method for processing gold concentrates at home or in small-scale operations. Here’s some additional context on how you can make one and why it’s beneficial:

What Is a Fluid Bed Separator?

A fluid bed separator uses air to suspend particles within the device, allowing them to be separated based on size differences. In the case of gold recovery, this means that lighter impurities are carried away by airflow while heavier materials like gold concentrate remain.

Why Use It for Gold Recovery?

1. Efficiency: Fluid beds can efficiently separate fine particles from larger ones.
2. Cost-Effective: A small-scale setup is relatively inexpensive to build and operate compared to industrial equipment.
3. Versatility: Useful in various stages of processing, including pre-concentration and cleaning concentrates.

Materials Needed

1. Container or Vessel: An airtight container that can be sealed with an air-tight lid (e.g., plastic bin).
2. Air Pump/Blower: A small blower capable of producing sufficient airflow to fluidize the particles.
3. Mesh Screen/Fabric Filter: Placed at the bottom of the vessel to allow air through while capturing larger particles.
4. Hose and Fittings: To connect your air pump/blower to a nozzle inside or near the base of your container.

Steps for Construction

1. Prepare Your Container:

   • Drill small holes in one side (or use an existing lid with perforations) allowing excess material to escape as it’s fluidized.

2. Install Mesh Screen/Fabric Filter:

   • Place a fine mesh screen at the bottom of your container, ensuring particles larger than gold can be captured.

3. Set Up Airflow System:

   • Connect your air pump/blower via hose and fittings to create an airflow path that enters through the base or near-bottom part of your vessel.

4. Test Your Setup:

   • Turn on the blower, adjust for optimal flow rate ensuring particles are suspended but not blown away.

5. Process Gold Concentrates:

   • Add gold concentrates and allow them to be fluidized by air currents; fine impurities should pass through while heavier materials remain.

Tips

• Ensure your setup is airtight except where necessary (e.g., for particle escape).
• Adjust the airflow rate based on material density and size distribution.

By following these steps, you can create an effective mini fluid bed separator tailored to processing gold concentrates. This method not only aids in recovery but also helps clean up other valuable minerals if present.