Floating Patents (Class 209/162)
  • Patent number: 10287171
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating polysilicon powder from a mixture of granular polysilicon and polysilicon powder are disclosed. The method includes tumbling the polysilicon material in a tumbling device while flowing humidified sweep gas through the tumbling device. Also disclosed are compositions including granulate polysilicon or polycrystalline silicon, in some examples, including a coating layer consisting essentially of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: REC Silicon Inc
    Inventor: Robert J. Geertsen
  • Publication number: 20150068956
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the separation of the mineral components of a pyrite containing copper-molybdenum ore by flotation. The method comprises grinding the ore in the presence of soda ash in an open circuit to produce an aqueous ore slurry; subjecting the slurry to a collective flash flotation step (10) in the presence of soda ash and sodium sulphide to recover a first part of metal sulphides of the ore in the form of a first concentrate (C1); subjecting the tailings (T1) of the collective flash flotation step (10) to a grinding step (13) and to a collective rougher flotation step (14) to recover a second part of metal sulphides of the ore in the form of a second concentrate (C3); and subjecting the concentrate (C1) of the collective flash flotation step (10) and the concentrate (C3) of the collective rougher flotation step (14) to a selection step (12) to separate molybdenite from the other metal sulphides of the concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Gennady Nikolaevich Mashevskiy, Rodrigo Grau, Mikko Lyyra, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Petrov
  • Patent number: 8968580
    Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
  • Patent number: 8777016
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a vehicle for separating a mixed debris stream. The vehicle may include an elongate vehicle frame; a separating structure mounted on the vehicle frame and configured to contact the mixed debris stream with a fluid stream to separate the mixed debris stream into at least a first debris stream and a second debris stream; a feed structure for transporting the mixed debris stream to the separating structure at a delivery location; a first conveyor configured to receive the first debris stream at a receiving location; and a second conveyor configured to receive the second debris stream. At least one of the delivery location of the mixed debris stream, the receiving location of the first debris stream, and/or an ejection angle of the fluid stream may be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Construction Equipment Company
    Inventors: Roger G. Smith, Jason D. Gerard
  • Patent number: 8753593
    Abstract: A method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc is disclosed. The method comprises treating a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores in at least one flotation stage and in at least one cleaner circuit. The method further comprises sequenced re-grinding, as described herein, of particles in the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: BHP Billiton SSM Development Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffery David Senior, Brendan Pyke, Brian Judd
  • Publication number: 20140027354
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for enriching an iron mineral from a silicate containing iron ore by inverse flotation comprising the addition of a collector or collector composition comprising at least one of the compounds of formulae RC(O)N(Z—O—X-NH2)2 (Ia); RC(O)N(Z-O-X-NH2)2H+ Y? (Ib); in which X is an aliphatic alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Z is an aliphatic alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Y? is an anion; and R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic or aromatic moiety having between 7 and 23 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to the novel compounds according to formulae (Ia) and (Ib), compositions comprising said compounds and the use of compounds and formulations as collectors for enriching of iron mineral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Joerg Nieberle, Bernhard Ulrich von Vacano, Alexsandro Berger, Roland Boehn, Guenter Oetter
  • Publication number: 20140021104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for enriching an iron mineral from a silicate containing iron ore by inverse flotation comprising the addition of a collector or collector composition comprising at least one of the compounds of formulae RO—X—NH2 (Ia); RO—X—NH3+Y? (Ib); RO—X—NH—Z—NH2 (IIa); and RO—X—NH—Z—NH3+Y? (IIb), in which X is a linear or branched aliphatic alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Z is a linear or branched aliphatic alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Y? is an anion; and R is an aliphatic group of the formula (I) C5H11CH(C3H7)CH2— (I) wherein the C5H11 moeity of the aliphatic group of the formula (I) comprises 70 to 99% by weight n-C5H11—, and 1 to 30% by weight C2H5CH(CH3)CH2— and/or CH3CH(CH3)CH2CH2—.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christian Bittner, Joerg Nieberle, Bernhard Ulrich Von Vacano, Alexsandro Berger, Roland Boehn, Guenter Oetter
  • Publication number: 20140004589
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for waste sorting and uses thereof for the separation of said waste into organic and inorganic material, including processes for its use and in some embodiments subsequently producing biogas from said waste material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: RAINBOWTEC ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS 2010 LTD.
    Inventor: Lior Zaid
  • Publication number: 20130292305
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to films that are deposited with foamable inks or coatings. One purpose is to facilitate their separation for recycling purposes. The films are particularly useful as packaging labels. The inks/coatings are designed so that foaming is activated when the film is in the hot-wash stage of a typical recycle process. This provides added buoyancy to the film allowing it to float to the surface and be removed, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of the recycle process. A feature of the invention is that, prior to this hot wash, the inks/coatings remain substantially unfoamed and thereby do not negatively affect the aesthetics of labeled package. The foamable inks/coatings can be used with any type of film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Freddie Wayne Willams, Jeffery Earl Grant Powell, Scott Ellery George, Jeff Scott Howell
  • Publication number: 20130277279
    Abstract: A blend comprising from 1 to 99 weight percent one or more polypropylene glycols wherein each polypropylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight of greater than or equal to 1000 grams/mole and from 1 to 99 weight percent one or more dipropylene glycol phenyl ethers and/or diethylene glycol phenyl ethers wherein the blend has a viscosity (ASTM D445, @ 25° C.) of less than or equal to 400 cSt and viscosity (ASTM D445, @ 40° C. of less than or equal to 200 cSt, is provided. Processes using the blend in mining applications are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Brasil Sudeste Industrial LTDA
    Inventors: Yuri Alencar Marques, Marcelo Beck Graziani
  • Publication number: 20130225766
    Abstract: A method for processing rubber granules or rubber powders containing different types of rubber. Vehicle tires containing natural rubber in the tread and butyl rubber in the inner liner are granulated or ground to prepare rubber granules or rubber powders, which are processed in a flotation cell under stirring and with the addition of air. The natural rubber fraction of the rubber granules has a higher tendency to adsorb air bubbles and to rise in the flotation cell, while the butyl rubber fraction remains at the bottom. The rubber granules are separated into two or more rubber fractions with an increased amount of a specific rubber type in each fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130220894
    Abstract: A flotation apparatus may include a flotation chamber having a side wall and a base, a stirrer, a sparging device associated with the stirrer, a first foam-collecting device arranged in an upper region of the flotation chamber for the purpose of collecting a foam product formed during the flotation process, and a charge line for charging the flotation chamber with pulp, wherein the charge line leads into the flotation chamber at a point above the stirrer and an ejector is present in the charge line. Further, a flotation method is performed in two stages inside a flotation chamber of a flotation apparatus, wherein an ejector is used in a first flotation stage and a stirrer is used in a second flotation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Lilla Grossman, Wolfgang Krieglstein
  • Publication number: 20130153471
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating synthetic materials having different characteristics includes a rotating drum having a cylindrical shape with a tapered end and an opposite flat bottom wall; a device configured to introduce a mixture of at least two synthetic materials in particle form and a liquid having an intermediate specific weight relative to specific weights of the two products into the drum; a radial discharge opening in the tapered end of the drum; an axial slithering discharge opening located in the bottom surface of the drum, at a distance from the drum axis, a rotor located inside the drum having a first external helical blade with the same external shape as the drum, a device configured to set the rotor in rotation relative to the drum. The blade is located at a distance from the rotor axis greater than the distance between the drum axis and the axial discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Stefano Cassani
  • Publication number: 20130134074
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a target material from an aqueous stream. The target material can be a natively hydrophobic target material, such as a hydrocarbon material, such as coal. The target material can also have a surface modification that renders it hydrophobic. Systems for recovering the target material can comprise an extractant formulation comprising a light hydrocarbon solvent and a high molecular weight hydrophobic polymer, wherein the extractant formulation is mixable with the aqueous stream in a mixer to form an admixed solution having a hydrophobic portion and an aqueous portion, with the target material partitioning to the hydrophobic portion; a separator for isolating the hydrophobic portion from the aqueous portion; and a collector to which the hydrophobic portion is directed, wherein the target material is recovered from the hydrophobic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: David S. Soane, Nathan Ashcraft, Audrey Heidt
  • Patent number: 8365923
    Abstract: A method of separating at least one carbon nanotube having a desired diameter and/or chirality from a mixture of carbon nanotubes having different diameters and/or chiralities is provided. A calixarene of formula (I): wherein n?4; X is PO3H2, Ra—PO3H, SO3H, or Ra—SO3H; Y is Rb, OH, or ORb; and Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylene alkyl and optionally substituted alkylene aryl is combined with the mixture of carbon nanotubes in an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) having the desired diameter and/or chirality. The aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) is then separated from a residue comprising the remaining carbon nanotubes of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Colin Llewellyn Raston, Lee John Hubble
  • Patent number: 8157099
    Abstract: A material separator for separating at least two different materials of differing densities and/or sizes of particles. The material separator generally includes a tank containing a flocculent, a circulation system for circulating flocculent within the tank and a pair of conveyors for moving two different materials out of the tank. The tank may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. At least a portion of each of the conveyors is located in the upper chamber to catch materials fed into the flocculent. Each of the conveyors may include a mesh belt that permits the flocculent to flow through the conveyor. The tank may include a clean out valve that permits fines and other debris accumulated within the upper chamber to pass into the lower chamber. The flocculent circulation assembly may include a nozzle that can be constructed in various configurations to create flows of flocculent of various velocities and trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Flo-Cait, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Cullom, Gordon J. Van Wylen, William J. Van Bronkhorst, Thomas D. Graham
  • Patent number: 8151993
    Abstract: A vehicle for separating a mixed debris stream is disclosed. The vehicle may include an elongate vehicle frame; a separating structure mounted on the vehicle frame and configured to contact the mixed debris stream with a fluid stream to separate the mixed debris stream into at least a first debris stream and a second debris stream; a first conveyor; a second conveyor; and a fluid collection structure configured to receive fluid from at least one of the separating structure, the first conveyor, and the second conveyor, the fluid collection structure including an upper tank, a lower tank, and one or more conduits fluidly connecting the upper and lower tanks, wherein the one or more conduits are free from a valve configured to regulate flow from the upper tank toward the lower tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Construction Equipment Company
    Inventors: Roger G. Smith, Jason D. Gerard
  • Publication number: 20120032009
    Abstract: A materials-separation process includes a sorting operation in which plastics materials including at least first and second plastics materials are sorted from paper and metal materials so that the first plastics material may be separated from the second plastics material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Flores
  • Publication number: 20110155651
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to flotation of sulfidic materials following aerating by an oxidizing gas and contacting by a sulfoxy reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: BARRICK GOLD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Barun Gorain
  • Patent number: 7950525
    Abstract: A method and a device for separating plastic materials in accordance with their chemical composition, which is based on the difference in density of such materials. For this purpose, a flotation process which works with a flotation liquid that is put into vibration is used, the frequency of which is controlled in accordance with the density of the particles to settle. Heavier plastic particles settle on a perforated plate bottom and are removed to a collecting container filled with the same liquid to the same level as the flotation tank. Lighter plastic particles float to the surface and are fed into a follow-up flotation tank for further separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Alexander Koslow
  • Patent number: 7905356
    Abstract: A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Holm Christensen Biosystemer APS
    Inventors: Borge H. Christensen, Lena H. Christensen
  • Patent number: 7891496
    Abstract: A hindered-settling fluid classifier is adapted for processing material aggregate in a liquid medium. The fluid classifier includes a classifier tank defined by walls designed for holding the liquid medium, and comprising a sink fraction chamber and a float fraction chamber, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. An elongated rising current column is vertically mounted within the sink fraction chamber, and adapted for extending below a surface of the liquid medium held therein. The rising current column has open upper and lower ends, and defines an aggregate entry between its upper and lower ends for receiving material aggregate into the classifier tank. A float fraction reservoir is located above the sink fraction chamber, and communicates with the open upper end of the rising current column. An overflow passage communicates with the float fraction reservoir, and is adapted for directing the liquid medium outwardly from the reservoir and into the float fraction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Brian K. Fendley
  • Patent number: 7807727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively separating mixed synthetic organic materials such as filled or non-filled polymers and/or copolymers that are wastes, particularly used, for recycling in order to upgrade them. These synthetic organic materials result from the destruction by crushing of automobiles and durable consumer goods that have reached the end of their serviceable lives. Said selective separation method acts by separating these materials with regard to a density threshold selected in a dense medium consisting of separating fluid liquid suspensions composed of powdery particles dispersed in an aqueous phase. These suspensions are stabilized by using a dynamic stabilizing means at a density threshold value selected for causing the selective separation of a determined fraction from the mixture of the used materials to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Galloo Plastics
    Inventors: Hugues De Feraudy, Henri Seinera
  • Patent number: 7803848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively separating synthetic organic materials such as polymers and/or reinforced or non-reinforced copolymers in the form of wastes, in particular domestic wastes recyclable in order to be reused. Said synthetic organic materials are recuperated from broken used cars and obsolete consumer durable products. The inventive method for selective separation consists in separating materials which have an identical density threshold value and are selected from a dense medium comprising separate liquid fluid suspensions which consist of powdery disperses particles in an aqueous phase and are stabilized with respect to the density threshold value selected in such a way that a selective separation of a determined fraction of the mixture of separable used material is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Galloo Plastics
    Inventors: Hugues De Feraudy, Henri Seinera
  • Patent number: 7789944
    Abstract: A treatment system to efficiently remove lead from dust contained in extracted cement kiln combustion gas while reducing facility and running costs. A treatment system 1 comprising: a probe 3 for extracting a part of combustion gas, while cooling it, from a kiln exhaust gas passage, which runs from an inlet end of a cement kiln to a bottom cyclone; a classifier 5 for separating coarse powder from dust contained in the combustion gas extracted by the probe 3; a wet dust collector 6 for collecting dust from the extracted gas containing fine powder discharged from the classifier 5; and devices 12, 13 for feeding sulfurizing agent for sulfurizing lead contained in the kiln exhaust gas to the wet dust collector 6, and others. From the sulfurizing-agent feeders 12, 13 are preferably added the sulfurizing agents to a circulation liquid tank 7 or a pump 9 for circulating slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Saito, Soichiro Okamura, Tsuyoshi Matsura
  • Patent number: 7775372
    Abstract: A material separator for separating at least two different materials of differing densities and/or sizes of particles. The material separator generally includes a tank containing a flocculent, a circulation system for circulating flocculent within the tank and a pair of conveyors for moving two different materials out of the tank. The tank may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. At least a portion of each of the conveyors is located in the upper chamber to catch materials fed into the flocculent. Each of the conveyors may include a mesh belt that permits the flocculent to flow through the conveyor. The tank may include a clean out valve that permits fines and other debris accumulated within the upper chamber to pass into the lower chamber. The flocculent circulation assembly may include a nozzle that can be constructed in various configurations to create flows of flocculent of various velocities and trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Flo-Cait, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Cullom, Gordon J. Van Wylen, William J. Van Bronkhorst, Thomas D. Graham
  • Publication number: 20100181233
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flotation process for removal of slimes from potash ores wherein a collector is used selected from the group of ethoxylated fatty amines having the formulae (formula I) wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, a hydrocarbyl group having 1-22 C-atoms, and n is on average above 15 and less than 100, and (formula II) wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl group having 8-22 carbon atoms; z is a number 1-3; X, Y and Y? are, independently, an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms or the group -(EO)sH, wherein EO is an ethyleneoxy unit and s is on average 5-50, and the sum of all s is on average 15 or more, and less than 100; provided that at least one of X, Y and Y? is a group -(EO)sH. The invention further relates to a process wherein the step of flotation of slime is followed by a step of flotation of KCl using a different type of collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: AKZO NOBEL N.V.
    Inventor: Jan Olof Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 7727385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering bitumen as froth from a feed stream having solids, water and bitumen is provided using a separating vessel having mounted thereon a downpipe assembly, the downpipe assembly having at least one downpipe and a nozzle in fluid communication with each downpipe, for aerating a stream of middlings withdrawn from the separating vessel and reintroducing the aerated middlings back to the separating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Syncrude Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Siy, Jonathan Spence, Owen Neiman
  • Patent number: 7604792
    Abstract: A method can, in one general aspect, include steps for the recovery of potassium sulfate and mirabilite from glaserite. In another general aspect, a method includes dissolving glaserite in water at an elevated temperature to produce a saturated or nearly saturated solution, and cooling the solution to a temperature where potassium sulfate and mirabilite will crystallize from the solution as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes adding glaserite to a saturated solution of glaserite in water and mixing for enough time at a temperature where the glaserite will decompose into potassium sulfate and mirabilite as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes separating potassium sulfate from mirabilite using a froth floatation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Searles Valley Minerals Operations Inc.
    Inventor: James Logan Fairchild
  • Publication number: 20090234496
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method, device and computer program product for controlling a material separation process as well as to a material separating system. The material separating system comprises units separating desired material from undesired material, units measuring process output variables in the material separation process indicative of the degree of separation between desired and undesired material, a unit estimating the state of the process by applying the measured output variables and external constraints for a prediction time interval on a model of the material separation process, a unit optimising an objective function through maximising the recovery of the desired material in the separation process, which optimising provides at least one set point value for each input variable of the model, and at least one regulating unit regulating the separation process by using the set point value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jens Pettersson, Lars Ledung, Patrik Westerlund
  • Publication number: 20090206010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reverse froth flotation process for treating a calcium carbonate ore containing silicates. The process comprises the use of two collectors selected from the group consisting of fatty tri-lower-alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, fatty di-lower-alkyl benzyl quaternary ammonium compounds, fatty lower-alkyl di-benzyl quaternary ammonium compounds, di-fatty di-lower-alkyl quats, di-fatty lower-alkyl benzyl quats, and fatty bis-imidazoline quats. The use of a combination of different quats was found to result in a synergetic performance of the collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Anders Klingberg, Elisabeth Hendriksson
  • Publication number: 20090194465
    Abstract: A problem of the invention is to provide a method which targets on polyethylene terephthalate-made bottle scraps composed mainly of polyethylene and/or polypropylene, polystyrene and a polyester and which is able to treat continuously a large amount of the polyester component with a high purity and sort and recover it in a high recovery. The problem of the invention can be solved by a separation method of waste plastics, which is characterized by forming previously a crushed plastic into a water slurry, feeding the water slurry in a fixed rate range such that a swirling flow is generated within a cylindrical tank and that water rises in a fixed rate range and recovering a polyester with a high specific gravity as a precipitated component within the cylindrical tank and a plastic with a low specific gravity as an overflow component from the top of the cylindrical tank, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Kozo Toida, Kazumasa Mizuno, Minoru Nakashima, Hitoshi Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20080302706
    Abstract: A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Holm Christensen Biosystemer ApS
    Inventors: Borge H. Christensen, Lena H. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20080272047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grit washer for separating organic pollutants from grit in wastewater treatment plants, said device comprising a container (2) which has a material supply inlet (5), a grit outlet (7), a separating water inlet (6) and a liquid discharging means (10). The container (2) has a vibrating means (8) arranged inside the container (2) in order to separate, while vibrating in cooperation with the supplied separating water, the grit from organic matter. The invention also relates to a device for separating solid matter in flowing liquids in wastewater treatment plants, the device comprising a screening unit (30) which is arrangeable in a duct with flowing liquid, the screening unit (30) having movably arranged discharging means (39) which feed the solid matter up to an unloading portion (35) having a vibrating means (46) which releases the solid matter from the unloading portion (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: MELLEGARD & NAIJ AB
    Inventors: Per Mellegard, Stefan Naij
  • Publication number: 20080149536
    Abstract: The invention is a flotation circuit for separating concentrates from slurry comprising grinded ore or oil sand. The slurry is floated in a flotation circuit that comprises flotation cells arranged is series or in parallel, and the slurry is divided at least into two fractions in a flotation cell system that is arranged to receive a feed of mineral slurry from a grinding circuit and provided with at least two outlet openings for discharging tailings with different particle size distributions. The flotation circuit also comprises cell lines, i.e. banks of cells, that are arranged to receive the tailings from the outlet openings of the receiving cell and adapted to process slurries with different particle size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Seppo Ronkainen, Peter Bourke
  • Publication number: 20080135461
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dense medium separator and methods for operating the separator and separating solids in a dense medium. A separator is presented with distribution and extraction zones at opposite ends. Solids enter the separator and medium is injected in the direction of the extraction zone at the distribution zone. The injected medium forms a float current that moves the lower density solids to the extraction zone which then overflows a weir and is harvested. A floats extraction device separates the lower density solids from the medium and recirculates the medium back into the injection stream. Between the distribution and extraction zones is a separation zone where higher density solids fall out of the float current and into/onto a sinks mover at the bottom of the separation zone. The sinks mover moves the higher density solids in a direction opposite to that of the flow direction to a recovery zone where they are harvested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Paul A. Olivier
  • Publication number: 20080110806
    Abstract: This invention comprises a method and a device for separating plastic materials in accordance with their chemical composition. That is based on the difference in density of such materials, since each individual plastic material possesses a density, which is unique for such individual plastic material and reflects its chemical nature. Pure plastic material obtained by this invention may then be returned to a material specific re-usage. For this purpose a flotation process has been developed which works with a flotation liquid that is put into vibration, the frequency of that is controlled in accordance of the density of the particles to settle. Heavier plastic particles settle on a perforated plate bottom and are removed to a collecting container filled with the same liquid to the same level as the flotation tank. Lighter plastic particles float to the surface and are fed into a follow-up flotation tank for further separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander Koslow
  • Patent number: 7360655
    Abstract: A material handling system is provided. The material handling system includes a tank defining a reservoir for receiving a solid material, and a wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart scoops for scooping solid material from the tank and subsequently discharging scooped solid material from the tank during rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Thor Global Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Thor J. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 7357259
    Abstract: A material classifier for classifying a liquid-solid mixture containing solid material to be separated is provided. The material classifier includes a tank defining a reservoir for receiving the liquid-solid mixture, and a scoop wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart scoops for scooping material from the tank and subsequently discharging the scooped material from the tank during rotation of the scoop wheel. A classification system and method of classifying material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Thor Global Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Thor J. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 7255233
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating mixed plastics using flotation techniques including a first stage initial washing tank for washing of incoming plastics and providing a first separation process and at least one separation module. The first stage initial washing tank includes a perforated basket to hold heavy materials, such as metals, glass, and the like. Each separation module includes a separation tank, a feeding section for feeding of mixed stream into the separation tank; and a collecting section for collecting of the separated mixed plastics including floaters and sinkers from the separation tank. The separation tank has no moving parts. Each separation tank and the first stage initial washing tank is a standard off-the-shelf circular tank with a flat bottom. Washing and drying steps are eliminated between separation stages. Batch processing is replaced with generally continuous operation. An integrated vibrating screen and air classification system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Daniels, Bassam J. Jody, Joseph A. Pomykala, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7017753
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating heavy materials in garbage from light ones is taking advantage of water as a means for carrying floated garbage and submerged garbage and sinking the heavy materials in garbage by considering specific weight, buoyancy, and flow rate of water so as to remove the light materials in garbage and the heavy materials in garbage from the water container at different elevations and then to classify the heavy materials in garbage prior to collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Tse
  • Patent number: 7017752
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating small rubbish and organic matters from garbage for collection by means of water by considering specific weight, buoyancy, and flow rate of water is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of conveyor screens incorporating injection nozzles, a less inclined channel, a conveyor, and an organic matter screen for effectively separating floated rubbish, organic matters, and sunk rubbish from garbage for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Tse
  • Patent number: 7004328
    Abstract: A process for extracting and purifying naturally occurring zeolite from ores in the presence of other mineral phases by using mechanical dispersion and differential suspension to remove a majority of the clay content of the ore. The process continues by removal of contaminants with a higher mass to surface area ratio than that of the desired zeolite product by employing the properties of demineralized water in combination with a countercurrent flow separation column. No chemical flocculating or flotation agents need be employed in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy D. Fellers
  • Patent number: 6994221
    Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of separating plastic films from garbage for collection is taking advantage of ductility of plastics, separation and extensibility properties of plastic films in water, and adhesion property of water to plastic films in order to provide a novel and unique garbage disposal implementation of rapidly, effectively, conveniently, and precisely separating medium-sized, light materials and plastic films from small garbage for collection and perform an initial cleaning of garbage by means of water while classifying garbage for facilitating a subsequent garbage disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Tse
  • Patent number: 6988622
    Abstract: Mechanically harvested chili-pepper plants are sized into chunks and introduced into a water flotation system. Water is added at the top of a flotation vat and, for the most part, is withdrawn at the bottom using a venturi unit. The balance of the water is recovered as spillover from the top of the vat carrying the floating material. If the rate of water withdrawal at the bottom of the vessel is controlled such that it is as high as possible but less than what produces turbulence in the vat, the pulp material will drop with heavy seeds to the bottom with the extracted water while all other materials are skimmed away at the top. The very small differential in density between the pepper pulp and the rest of the plant and debris is sufficient to separate them under these specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Curry Seed and Chili Co.
    Inventor: John L. Victor
  • Patent number: 6875254
    Abstract: Methods for detecting gold and quantitating gold in ore samples utilizing a gold-specific protein are provided, including methods for multiple sample handling. Also provided are methods for extracting gold from mineral suspensions utilizing a magnetic mineral binding reagent and gold-specific protein, or hydrophobic reagent and gold-specific protein in conjunction with a flotation reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: University of Washington, Placer Dome, Inc.
    Inventors: Clement E. Furlong, Scott Jorgenson-Soelberg, James B. Clendenning, Noel W. Kirshenbaum, Victor Chevillon, Peter Leon Kowalczyk
  • Publication number: 20040262201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the variation in content of minerals that float naturally in the feed of a concentration plant flotation circuit processing valuable minerals, such as minerals containing precious metals, copper-, nickel- and zinc-bearing minerals. After grinding, rough flotation is performed on minerals that float naturally, such as talc, into what is termed rough talc concentrate, which is then stored. The rough talc concentrate is fed into the valuable minerals flotation circuit as a pre-defined feed, and as a result the control of the flotation circuit is improved and reagent costs are substantially reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Veikko Palosaari
  • Publication number: 20040256295
    Abstract: Method and flotation vessel for removing contaminants from aqueous fibrous suspension. The method includes damming up fibrous suspension at a head level above a bottom of flotation vessel, and forming a bubble flow via gas bubbles rising counter to gravity in dammed fibrous suspension, such that fibrous suspension is carried counter to ascending direction of bubble flow and contaminants are deposited on gas bubbles. Accepts, discharged in cleaned form, are carried counter to bubble flow, and contaminants and bubbles are discharged in thickened flotation foam. A flow cross-section of flotation vessel transverse to bubble flow is formed straight on at least 80% of at least one side wall, and length of side wall is at least 1.5 times greater than width of end wall. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Britz, Axel Dreyer, Harald Hess, Martin Kemper, Dietrich Moller, Anton Selbherr
  • Publication number: 20040164002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the sink and float separation of mineral raw materials, particularly coal, according to density by means of a liquid, particularly a dense medium. The device comprises a separating container (1) with a cylinder (2) arranged in a rotatable manner therein for extracting the sunken items. The separating container comprises inlets (6; 10, 11) for the liquid and for the raw material which is to be separated, in addition to at least one outlet (12, 13) for the liquid, and one overflow (13) for separating the floating items. The inlets and outlets (10, 11; 12, 13) are arranged in a parallel position with respect to the axis of rotation of the cylinder (2). According to the invention, at least two respective inlets and outlets (10; 11; 12, 13) are provided for the liquid, being arranged, respectively, opposite each other in pairs on a specific height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Heinrich Emil Jerzembski, Jan Bot
  • Publication number: 20040094457
    Abstract: Comminuted carpet pieces are fed to a first stirred tank together with an aqueous solution containing separating salt, to form a first suspension, which is fed to a first mechanical separating stage. A first high-solids phase, a second high-solids phase containing polymer fiber material, and a liquid phase are obtained therefrom. The second high-solids phase is mixed with a water-containing separation solution in a stirred tank, to give a second suspension, which is fed to a second mechanical separating stage. A third high-solids phase, a polymer fiber material-rich phase and a liquid phase are withdrawn therefrom. An acid which is stronger than H2CO3 is introduced into the stirred tank together with the water-containing separation solution, and the pH of the liquid in the stirred tank is adjusted to 2-6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Donaj, Wolfgang Dilly-Louis, Rudolf Kampf, Norman Schnittker, Reihard Wolf