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Heat Exchange Evaluation at Thermo-Adhezion Method of Extraction of Diamond Raw from Kimberlite Ore

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2018-02-27
JournalMechanical Engineering Research
AuthorsP. P. Sharin, М. П. ЛДбДЎДĐČ, G. M. Nikitin, Г. Г. Đ’ĐžĐœĐŸĐșŃƒŃ€ĐŸĐČ, M. P. Akimova
InstitutionsYakut Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, Institute of Physico-Technical Problems of the North named VP Larionov
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: High-Selectivity Diamond Extraction via Thermo-Adhesion

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: High-Selectivity Diamond Extraction via Thermo-Adhesion”

This research validates a highly selective thermo-adhesion method for extracting raw diamond grains from kimberlite ore, leveraging the extreme thermal properties of diamond.

  • Core Principle: The method relies on the massive thermal conductivity ($\lambda$) contrast between diamond (1001-2300 W/(m·K)) and accompanying minerals (typically < 8 W/(m·K)).
  • Selectivity: Diamond exhibits a thermal conductivity 2-3 orders of magnitude ($10^2$ to $10^3$) higher than waste rock, ensuring high selectivity during extraction.
  • Mechanism: High heat flow through the diamond particle causes rapid, localized melting of the thermo-adhesion substance (rosin) on a conveyor belt, fixing the diamond while the low-$\lambda$ minerals remain unfixed.
  • Optimal Adhesion Material: Pure pine rosin is identified as the preferred thermo-adhesion substance, offering the highest contact strength (12.65 MPa) at an optimal adherence temperature (68 ± 5 °C).
  • Process Parameters: Estimated calculations and experimental data confirm that using a roller-heater temperature up to 350 °C allows for conveyor belt speeds necessary for industrial throughput (up to $\approx 100$ mm/s).
  • 6CCVD Relevance: This application requires materials with guaranteed, ultra-high thermal conductivity, making 6CCVD’s Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) the ideal component for high-efficiency thermal management and contact surfaces in next-generation sorting devices.
ParameterValueUnitContext
Diamond Thermal Conductivity ($\lambda$)1001 - 2300W/(m·K)Core property enabling selective heat transfer
Kimberlite Thermal Conductivity ($\lambda$)2.1W/(m·K)Baseline thermal conductivity of waste rock
Thermal Conductivity Ratio (Diamond/Kimberlite)476 to 1095N/ASelectivity factor (2-3 orders of magnitude difference)
Preferred Adhesion SubstanceRosin (Pine), 100%N/AHighest measured adhesion strength
Rosin Melting/Adherence Temperature68 ± 5°COptimal temperature for selective melting
Rosin Adhesion Strength12.65MPaStrength of contact (diamond-rosin)
Roller-Heater Maximum Temperature (T₂)350°CExperimental maximum for the heating element
Conveyor Belt Speed (V)$\approx 100$mm/sSpeed required for melting at T₂ = 350 °C
Calculated Heat Transfer Duration (t)0.05secUsed in theoretical modeling
Calculated Contact Area (S)1mmÂČUsed in theoretical modeling

The thermo-adhesion method relies on precise heat transfer modeling and material characterization:

  1. Heat Transfer Modeling: Estimated calculations of heat flow (Q) were performed using a modified Fourier’s Law, modeling the heat transfer through the “heating element (T₂) - diamond (or mineral) - thermo-adhesion substance (T₁)” scheme.
  2. Thermal Property Justification: Thermal conductivity coefficients ($\lambda$) for diamond (1001-2300 W/(m·K)) and various related minerals (e.g., Quartz: 8.0 W/(m·K), Basalt: 1.3 W/(m·K)) were compared to justify the high selectivity.
  3. Adhesion Substance Testing: Various thermo-adhesion substances (pure rosin, rosin/beeswax, rosin/paraffin, pure paraffin) were tested for their melting/adherence temperature and contact strength with polished natural diamond.
  4. Strength Measurement: Adhesion strength tests were carried out using the normal tear-off method after curing the thermo-adhesion layer on the diamond surface at room temperature.
  5. Dynamic Experimental Validation: An experimental unit was used to validate the calculated relationship between the roller-heater temperature (T) and the necessary conveyor belt speed (V) to achieve selective melting of the adhesion layer.

The efficiency and reliability of the thermo-adhesion extraction method are fundamentally dependent on the consistent, ultra-high thermal conductivity of the diamond material. 6CCVD provides the engineered diamond solutions necessary to transition this research into robust industrial technology.

Requirement from Research Paper6CCVD Solution & CapabilityValue Proposition
Ultra-High Thermal Conductivity ($\lambda$ > 1000 W/(m·K))Single Crystal Diamond (SCD)6CCVD’s SCD offers guaranteed high thermal conductivity, providing the rapid heat transfer required for high-speed, selective melting in the T₂ heating element contact zone.
Large-Area Contact Surfaces (Conveyor belt integration)Custom Dimensions & Thickness (Plates/wafers up to 125mm)We supply large-format SCD or PCD plates, allowing for the design of industrial-scale heating elements and contact surfaces far exceeding typical lab sizes. Substrates up to 10mm thick are available.
Precision Contact Surfaces (Adhesion testing, uniform heating)Precision Polishing (Ra < 1nm for SCD, < 5nm for PCD)We ensure extremely low surface roughness, critical for consistent thermal contact (S) and reproducible adhesion strength measurements, minimizing variability in industrial sorting.
Integration of Heating Elements (T₂ Roller/Heater)Internal Metalization Services (Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, Cu)6CCVD can deposit custom metal layers directly onto the diamond surface, enabling reliable electrical contacts or heat spreader integration for the high-temperature (up to 350 °C) roller-heater component.
Cost-Effective Large-Scale ComponentsPolycrystalline Diamond (PCD)For applications where the absolute highest thermal conductivity is not required, or where larger areas are needed, 6CCVD PCD offers excellent thermal properties and mechanical robustness at competitive pricing.

Engineering Support: 6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in the thermal and mechanical properties of MPCVD diamond. We can assist with material selection, thermal modeling, and custom component design for similar high-speed mineral separation and thermal management projects.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

In the work thermo-adhesion a method of selecting and extracting the grains of diamond from a mixture of related minerals is developed. The study presents estimates of the heat transfer of the proposed scheme extraction based on the difference between the thermal conductivity of diamond and related minerals. The high selectivity thermo-adhesion selection and extraction of diamonds with the division concentrate on useful component and waste rock is shown.