Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the dynamic separation of mixtures of materials, such as minerals having different specific gravities, by using one dense medium having two different densities, the process includes a closed loop flow system utilizing two medium streams of two different densities for separating mixtures of materials into two material/dense medium streams. The dense material is recovered from the two material/dense medium streams after separation and splitting by creating two return streams of two different densities which are individually fed to a tub, and the two medium streams are formed from the dense medium of the tubs by effecting overflow of the dense medium between the two tubs to establish substantially equal volume therebetween and maintain equal volume therebetween.

Abstract: A dynamic dense media separator, comprising a cylindrical separation vessel with an axial outlet--float outlet--for separated material fractions of a lower density together with dense media, an outlet on the cylindrical surface of the separation vessel--a sink outlet--for separated material fractions of a higher density together with dense media, and either an inlet on the cylindrical surface of the separation vessel for dense media as well as material to be separated, or such an inlet only for dense media, and an axial inlet for material to be separated together with a minor portion of the dense media. Of the two outlets and inlets situated on the cylindrical surface of the separation vessel, at least the outlet has the shape of an involute connection piece which at least partially surrounds the separation vessel and is bent essentially in the direction of the circumference of the vessel.