Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating materials having different size densities is described. The apparatus includes a trough (12), a dispersing and conveying screw means (40) and a fluid distribution manifold (26). The trough has upper and lower portions (12F and 12G) with the lower portion forming a pool area. The dispersing and conveying screw means has a conveying portion (46) and a dispersing portion (50). The conveying portion has flights (48) which move the first material (152) up the trough. The dispersing portion has paddles (52) which disperse the mixture (150) and convey the first material to the conveying portion. The fluid distribution manifold supplies both water and air to the inside (12I) of the trough through fluid orifices (28). In operation, the mixture is fed into the trough directly over the fluid orifices and the dispersing portion of the dispersing and conveying screw means. As the mixture enters the trough, the mixture is dispersed and forms an aqueous suspension with the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating a mixture of materials having different sizes and densities is described. The apparatus includes a trough (12), a dispersing and conveying screw (40) and fluid distribution manifolds (26 and 28). The screw has a dispersing portion (50) with paddles (52) which disperse the mixture and a conveying portion (46) with flights (48) which move the first and second materials (152 and 154) up the trough. The fluid distribution manifolds supply both water and air to the trough through fluid orifices (30 and 32). A spray bar (56) is located adjacent the conveying portion of the screw. The mixture is fed into the trough over the fluid orifices and the dispersing portion of the screw. The mixture is dispersed and forms an aqueous suspension (158) with the water. The first and second materials settle out of the aqueous suspension and are conveyed up the trough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of manure (104) and sand (102) in a sand and manure mixture (100) is described. The apparatus (10) of the first embodiment includes a tank (12) with an upper grate (22), a lower grate (20), an air supply tube (30) and a water supply tube (36). The apparatus (210) of the second embodiment includes a tank (212) having a screened grate (220), an air supply tube (230) and a water supply tube (236). The apparatus (310) of the third embodiment includes a tank (312) having an upper portion (312C) and a conical lower portion (312D) with a grate (320) between the two portions. In operation, all three embodiments essentially operate similarly. The chamber (12F, 212F and 312F) of the tank is filled with water. The mixture is then dumped into the chamber to form the aqueous suspension (106) with the water.