Media handling system and related method

A media handling system for mixing and or entraining grinding media with a liquid media for supply to a selected destination, the media handling system comprising:

• a first media pumping means or module configured operable for providing a flow of liquid media having a respective flow condition to a first inlet by way of which liquid media is receivable by the media handling system,
• a second media pumping means or module arranged in fluid communication with and downstream of both of the first inlet and a second inlet by way of which grinding media is receivable by the media handling system, and configured operable for supplying to the selected destination a mixed flow of liquid received via at least the first inlet and grinding media having a respective flow condition,
• wherein, in use, one or both of the first and second media pumping means or modules are operated having regard to, or in relation to, the operation of the other so that the flow condition generated by the first media pumping means or module is insufficient to meet a flow requirement or demand of the second media pumping means or module thereby enabling both of the respective flow conditions to cooperate to develop a region of differential pressure between the second inlet and the second media pumping means or module which, when developed, draws or urges a flow of the grinding media into the media handling system via the second inlet for controllably modifying a concentration of grinding media in the mixed flow of liquid and grinding media so as to converge toward and or substantially maintain a target concentration of grinding media determined to be suitable for enabling the generation and or maintenance of a flow velocity of the mixed flow determined to be required to overcome a head characteristic of the media handling system imposed by the selected destination for enabling supply of the mixed flow by the second media pumping means or module.

A method for mixing and or entraining grinding media with a liquid media for supply to a selected destination by way of a fluid circuit, the method comprising:

• configuring a first media pumping means or module so as to be operable for providing a flow of liquid media having a respective flow condition to a first inlet by way of which liquid media is receivable by the fluid circuit,
• configuring a second media pumping means or module so as to be arranged in fluid communication with and downstream of both of the first inlet and a second inlet by way of which grinding media is receivable by the fluid circuit, and to be operable for supplying to the selected destination a mixed flow of liquid receivable via at least the first inlet and grinding media having a respective flow condition,
• configuring and or operating, and or causing to be operated, one or both of the first and second media pumping means or modules so that one or both are operable relative to the other so that the flow condition generated by the first media pumping means or module is insufficient to meet a flow requirement or demand of the second media pumping means or module thereby enabling both of the respective flow conditions to cooperate to develop a region of differential pressure between the second inlet and the second media pumping means or module which, when developed, draws or urges a flow of the grinding media into a media handling system via the second inlet for controllably modifying a concentration of grinding media in the mixed flow of liquid and grinding media so as to converge toward and or substantially maintain a target concentration of grinding media determined to be suitable for enabling supply of the mixed flow of liquid and grinding media to the selected destination by the second media pumping means or module.

A method for mixing and or entraining grinding media with a liquid media for supply to a selected destination by way of a fluid circuit, the method comprising:

• configuring a first media pumping means or module so as to be operable for providing a flow of liquid media having a respective flow condition to a first inlet by way of which liquid media is receivable by a media handling system,
• configuring a second media pumping means or module so as to be arranged in fluid communication with and downstream of both of the first inlet and a second inlet by way of which grinding media is receivable by the fluid circuit, and to be operable for supplying to the selected destination a mixed flow of liquid receivable via at least the first inlet and grinding media having a respective flow condition,
• configuring and or operating, and or causing to be operated, one or both of the first and second media pumping means or modules so that one or both are operable having regard to, or in relation to, the operation of the other so that the flow condition generated by the first media pumping means or module is insufficient to meet a flow requirement or demand of the second media pumping means or module thereby enabling both of the respective flow conditions to cooperate to develop a region of differential pressure between the second inlet and the second media pumping means or module which, when developed, draws or urges a flow of the grinding media into the media handling system via the second inlet for controllably modifying a concentration of grinding media in the mixed flow of liquid and grinding media so as to converge toward and or substantially maintain a target concentration of grinding media determined to be suitable for enabling the generation and or maintenance of a flow velocity of the mixed flow determined to be required to overcome a head characteristic of the media handling system imposed by the selected destination for enabling supply of the mixed flow of liquid and grinding media by the second media pumping means or module.