Processes Patents (Class 209/164)
  • Patent number: 11975982
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: KEYSTONE METALS RECOVERY INC.
    Inventors: Richard I. Chaifetz, Gregory William Matusewitch, Corey Clague Morton, Jason Michael Phillips
  • Patent number: 11554379
    Abstract: A flotation line for treating mineral ore particles suspended in slurry, including at least three flotation units arranged in fluid connection with each other for allowing gravity-driven slurry flow between flotation units, and a feed inlet for supplying slurry into a first flotation unit; wherein at least three flotation units are configured to be uniplanar, each flotation unit includes at least one flotation cell; and wherein the launder lip height of each uniplanar flotation unit is lower than the launder lip height of the preceding uniplanar flotation unit in the direction of the slurry flow, so that an angle of sloping between a first uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 150 m3, and a last uniplanar flotation cell, equipped with a launder lip and being larger than 40 m3, is formed; and the angle is 1.5 to 10 degrees relative to horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Peter Gerard Bourke, Antti Rinne, Rob Coleman
  • Patent number: 11154872
    Abstract: A method of recovering gold and copper from a sulfide ore includes (a) removing valuable fines from a product stream from a comminution circuit, such as a crushing and milling circuit, for run of mine ore and producing a valuable fines concentrate stream and (b) processing the remaining comminution product stream after valuable fines removal and producing a valuable coarse concentrate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Newcrest Mining Limited
    Inventor: Luke Vollert
  • Patent number: 10974257
    Abstract: A flotation tank has an input to receive a slurry from a pipeline section. The slurry contains finer mineral particles and coarser mineral particles. The pipeline section has one or more loops or coiled sections arranged to perform partial centrifugal separation on the finer and coarser mineral particles. As the mineral particles are moved tangentially into the lower part of the flotation tank, the coarser mineral particles tend to be near the tank wall while the finer mineral particles tend to move into the central part of the tank. Air bubbles or lightweight synthetic bubbles are used to collect and lift the finer mineral particles to the upper part of the tank. The coarser mineral particles are recovered by using collection surfaces coated with a hydrophobic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services LLC
    Inventor: Alan D. Kersey
  • Patent number: 10918032
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for the rapid isolation of monocot plant embryos suitable for transformation or tissue culture. The invention includes mechanical devices for substantially isolating plant embryos for use as transformable explants. Media suitable for isolating plant embryos and methods for their preparation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Whitney R. Adams, Jr., Brandon Davis, Lubomyr Kucher, Brian J. Martinell, Jyoti R. Rout, Brenda A. Lowe
  • Patent number: 10898904
    Abstract: A flotation separation system for partitioning a slurry comprises a flotation separation cell that comprises a sparger unit and a separation tank. The sparger unit comprises a slurry inlet for receiving a slurry and a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the slurry. The sparging mechanism disperses the gas bubbles within the slurry. A high shear element comprising a rotating shaft and a rotating high shear element mounted to it located within the sparging mechanism shears the gas into a bubble dispersion within the slurry. A slurry outlet discharges the slurry containing the bubble dispersion into the separation tank. An adjustable distributor plate at the slurry outlet restricts the flow of slurry through the slurry outlet. The distributor plate is mounted to the rotating shaft and rotates with the high shear element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Eriez Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Jaisen Kohmuench, Eric S. Yan, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 10590510
    Abstract: A method for recovering at least one precious metal from an aqueous solution containing the metal and particularly to recovery of silver and optionally one or more other precious metals from overflow of a sedimentation unit such as a thickener, a clarifier or a pond includes subjecting the aqueous solution to a micro and/or nanobubble flotation, wherein the pH of the aqueous solution is at most 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Kaj Jansson, Mikko Ruonala, Tuukka Kotiranta
  • Patent number: 10350559
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for treating fluids with ultrasound are provided. In order to achieve a desired effect of the treatment as efficiently as possible, the apparatus has a plurality of inlet openings for the fluids and the fluids to be brought into contact with one another while being exposed to ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Hielscher GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hielscher, Harald Hielscher, Holger Hielscher
  • Patent number: 10189732
    Abstract: A granular or particulate composition of matter that includes algae and bacteria is described. The algal-sludge granules are generated by incubating a wastewater system with algae under specific quiescent conditions with illumination. Once the algal-sludge granules are present, it is no longer necessary to maintain quiescent conditions, and reaction with wastewater under stirred conditions is possible. The methods described include ab initio generation of the algal-sludge granules, use of the algal-sludge granules to remediate wastewater, and use of the algal-sludge granules to generate biomass. It is believed that the remediation of wastewater by algal-sludge granules will save the energy for wastewater treatment, recover the energy in wastewater in the form of biomass, and reduce the wastewater treatment carbon footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Chul Park, Sona Dolan
  • Patent number: 10029219
    Abstract: A microbubble generating device that is capable of generating microbubbles from contaminated water is provided. The microbubble generating device 10 according to the present invention includes a liquid flow path 11 through which a pressurized liquid flows, a discharge path 12 through which generated microbubbles and a liquid are discharged, a throat part 13 that connects the liquid flow path 11 and the discharge path 12, and that has a flow path area smaller than the area of the liquid flow path 11 or the discharge path 12, and a gas supply path 14 for supplying a gas into the liquid flow path 11 or the throat part 13, wherein the gas supply path 14 has an exit end 143 that opens toward the downstream side of the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: EARTH RE PURE INC.
    Inventors: Iwao Tamura, Kazuyoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 9914136
    Abstract: A chemical treatment process and separation module are described for removal of soluble organic compounds and suspended or emulsified oils and/or solids from produced waters that accompany operations for oil and gas recovery. The process occurs in its entirety within an interval of several minutes. The solubility of organic compounds is first reduced, in an optional step, by pH reduction, followed by treatment with coagulants and flocculants, the latter in conjunction with microbubble flotation. The organic compounds that are rendered insoluble, along with other oily solids, are captured in the floe created by the coagulant and flocculant treatment, and simultaneously made buoyant by the concurrent addition of microbubbles. The water and floe is passed over an array of sloped strainers that separates and diverts the floe from the effluent water, which contains significantly reduced soluble organic content. The separated stream of oily solids can be dewatered for disposal as waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Aquero Company, LLC, 1257 122 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Webber, T. Daniel Sikes, C. Steven Sikes
  • Patent number: 9885095
    Abstract: A process is provided for separation of at least one metal sulfide from a mixed sulfide concentrate. The process includes: subjecting the mixed sulfide concentrate to flotation in which at least one sulfide including antimony, arsenic and a first metal is floated and at least one sulfide including a second metal is depressed. The flotation yields a first metal concentrate having the at least one sulfide including antimony, arsenic and the first metal and a second metal concentrate having the at least one sulfide including the second metal. The first metal concentrate is leached to yield a further concentrate and a leach solution. The further concentrate includes the first metal and the leach solution includes soluble antimony and soluble arsenic. The process further includes oxidizing the leach solution to yield an antimony precipitate and an arsenic solution, and forming a stable arsenic compound from the arsenic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GOLDCORP INC.
    Inventors: Marcus Tomlinson, Teodoro Martinez, Simon Hille
  • Patent number: 9831537
    Abstract: Processes for separating and recycling battery and electrochemical cell materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RSR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9796614
    Abstract: Described herein is a device for the treatment of water and wastewater that provides a biological or chemical reactor a means to enhance performance by initiating a unique flow pattern between the reactive and solids/liquid separation zones. Said device circulates water between the two zones by forcibly directing water that enters the settling zone back toward the reaction zone via an opening in a partition. The fluid motion scours the bottom of the settling chamber to prevent the accumulation of biologically active solids while maximizing the time those solids spend in the reaction zone; thereby increasing the treatment efficiency of the overall process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Austin Atkinson, Timothy Harrison Canter
  • Patent number: 9760606
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a network-based ontology curation system employed for receiving a request to view a data object, curating an ontology associated with the data object on-the-fly based on attributes of the request that include device and user characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Palantir Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wilczynski, Ryan Beiermeister, Timothy Slatcher, Andrew Elder
  • Patent number: 9731221
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting mineral particles in a slurry or the tailings is disclosed, including a collection area or tank having one or more collection surfaces configured to contact with a mixture having water and valuable material, the valuable material having a plurality of mineral particles of interest; and a synthetic material provided at least on the one or more collection surfaces, the synthetic material having plurality of molecules with a siloxane functional group configured to attract the mineral particles of interest to the collection surfaces. The one or more collection surfaces includes a conveyor belt that is driven through the collection area or tank, through a release area or tank, back through the collection area or tank. The mixture includes a pulp slurry having ground ore with mineral particles of interest forming part thereof, including mineral particles of interest of about 500 microns or larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CiDRA CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Francis K. Didden, Douglas H. Adamson
  • Patent number: 9719023
    Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbon diluent from froth treatment tailings comprising bitumen, solids, hydrocarbon diluent and water is provided, comprising: introducing the froth treatment tailings into a vessel chamber and allowing the coarse solids to settle to the bottom of the vessel and form a solids layer having a portion of hydrocarbon diluent and a portion of water trapped therein; and heating the water in the solids layer to generate steam bubbles in-situ and strip the hydrocarbon diluent associated with the coarse solids to produce stripped tailings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the future
    Inventors: Xin Alex Wu, Sujit Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 9652841
    Abstract: A control system for a froth flotation system receives inputs from one or more sensors comprising images of a fluid having bubbles and particles therein; some of the bubbles are attached to some of the particles and suspended in the fluid. For at least some of the bubbles with attached particles, it is determined from the inputs at least two contact angles at different locations at which the respective bubble is attached to the particle. These contact angles are used to predict a process improvement by which bubbles would more efficiently float the particles out of the fluid, as compared to that represented by the input images. An output is then provided for driving a graphical display screen, the output comprising at least one of: a) a graphical representation of the determined at least two contact angles; and b) a graphical representation of the predicted process improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alexe Bojovschi, Xi Liang
  • Patent number: 9644219
    Abstract: A method for converting flue gas into useable bio-oil based compounds using algae includes mixing flue gas with water, infusing the mixture with a lipid trigger and nutrients, distributing the mixture into processing cells, exposing the mixture to light, promoting the algae to the top of the processing cells for harvest, skimming the algae from the surface of the water, and extracting bio-oil from the algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Randall
  • Patent number: 9593683
    Abstract: A pollutant collecting pump for water surface comprises a power device (1) and a pollutant collecting barrel (6). The power device (1) is connected to the pollutant collecting barrel (6). A pollutant inlet (4) is provided on the upper portion of the pollutant collecting barrel (6), and a pollutant outlet (5) is provided on the lower portion of the pollutant collecting barrel (6). A blade (2) is provided outside the pollutant collecting barrel (6), and an axis of the pollutant collecting barrel (6) is perpendicular to a rotating surface of the blade (2). The pollutant inlet (4) is positioned above the blade (2). The pollutant collecting pump for water surface is adapted to collect pollutants distributed on water surface with low density and small thickness, and has the advantages in simple structure, low manufacturing cost, convenient operation and thorough collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SINO-GAS & OIL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ling Zhang
  • Patent number: 9254463
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention preferably relates to a hollow fiber membrane mat having hollow fiber membranes arranged parallel to one another and adjacent to one another, the membranes having a wall and a continuous lumen, wherein the hollow fiber membranes are connected to one another by means of a plurality of linear connecting elements which are arranged spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another and the membranes are kept apart from one another by the linear connecting elements and wherein the hollow fiber membranes are composed of a thermoplastic polymer and wherein the walls of the hollow fiber membranes arranged adjacent to one another are fluid-tight in at least one stripe extending parallel to the linear connecting elements, inside of which stripe the hollow fiber membranes are fluid-tight, preferably have a superheated steam shrinkage of at most 5%. Other embodiments of the invention preferably relate to a method for producing and/or using such hollow fiber membrane mats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Membrana GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Muehlinghaus, Gareth Peter Taylor, James Clifton Delozier, Eric J. Penegar, Kwantai Cho
  • Patent number: 9073064
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a fluid mixture includes a uniaxial cyclonic separator (2) having a separation chamber (18) for separating the fluid mixture by cyclonic action into a first fluid and a second fluid. An inlet (16) is located at a first end of the separation chamber (18) for receiving a fluid mixture, while a first outlet (22) for the first fluid and a second outlet (26) for the second fluid are located at a second end of the separation chamber. A gas injection means (12) is provided for injecting a gas into the fluid mixture to aid separation within the separation chamber (18). The gas injection may also be through an annular chamber surrounding the separator chamber (18). The gas in this case is introduced through a porous medium 130 via a gas supply line 136.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caltec Limited
    Inventors: Mir Mahmood Sarshar, Mirza Najam Ali Beg, Carl Wordsworth
  • Patent number: 9004286
    Abstract: A process for concentrating manganese from the tailing of a manganese-carrying mineral including removing a coarse particle size fraction from the tailing, desliming and conducting an acidic or a basic reverse cationic flotation. The manganese-carrying minerals are typically minerals with low manganese content from the lithologies “Tabular Pelite” (or PETB), Pelite Siltite (or PEST), Detritic (or DETR), Rich Pelite (or PERC) and Metallurgical Bioxide (or BXME). In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a reverse cationic flotation used to concentrate manganese which is carried out using depressor agents and collector agents as flotation reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vale S.A.
    Inventors: Laurindo de Salles Leal Filho, Helder Silva Souza, André Soares Braga
  • Publication number: 20150096925
    Abstract: Collector compositions and methods for making and using same to purify one or more crude materials are provided. The collector composition can include one or more amidoamines having the chemical Formula I and one or more amines having the chemical Formula IV, where a weight ratio of the amidoamine to the amine can be about 99:1 to about 1:99.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Hines, Brian L. Swift
  • Patent number: 8967383
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches improved processes to produce high-brightness kaolins at high yields from various natural sources of crude kaolin. In some embodiments, a process for treating mined kaolin comprises: blunging kaolin material with water at high shear to form a slurry; introducing the slurry to one or more beneficiation units for flocculation of titania (e.g., anatase) and titania-associated impurities (e.g., iron); introducing a sodium silicate composition, or precursors thereof, to the beneficiation units, wherein the sodium silicate composition is characterized by a Na2O/SiO2 ratio selected from about 0.25 to about 2.5; and recovering a suspension comprising at least 70% of the kaolin clay. The selected sodium silicate composition enhances flocculation of the titania while maintaining dispersion of the kaolin clay in the slurry. One or more chemical leaching reactions generate a treated kaolin that is characterized by a brightness of about 90 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KaMin, LLC
    Inventors: Deqiang Ma, Charles Allen Newsome, Aubrey Clay Smith, John Taylor, Richard Douglas Carter
  • Patent number: 8960443
    Abstract: A flotation separation system is provided for partitioning a slurry that includes a hydrophobic species which can adhere to gas bubbles formed in the slurry. The flotation separation system comprises a flotation separation cell that includes a sparger unit and a separation tank. The sparger unit has a slurry inlet for receiving slurry and a gas inlet to receive gas with at least enough pressure to allow bubbles to form in the slurry within the sparger unit. The sparger unit includes a sparging mechanism constructed to disperse gas bubbles within the slurry. The sparging mechanism sparges the gas bubbles to form a bubble dispersion so as to cause adhesion of the hydrophobic species to the gas bubbles substantially within the sparger unit while causing a pressure drop of about 10 psig or less across the sparging mechanism. The sparger unit includes a slurry outlet to discharge the slurry and the bubble dispersion into the separation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eriez Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mankosa, Jaisen Kohmuench, Eric S. Yan, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 8925728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing solid matter, in particular impurities, by means of flotation from a fibrous material suspension (S), wherein the fibrous material suspension (S) is mixed with gas (L), and wherein in at least two flotation chambers (1, 2, 2?, 2?, 2??, 2??) flotation foam (3, 4) is formed that collects solid matter and removes it from the flotation chamber. The flotation foam (4) of at least one flotation chamber (1, 2, 2?, 2?, 2??, 2??) is at least partially conducted into at least one other flotation chamber (1), in particular in the flotation foam (3) formed therein. According to the method, the complexity can be reduced, even with high requirements regarding effect and yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Britz, Delphine Delmas
  • Patent number: 8893892
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing unburned carbon from fly ash capable of suppressing facility cost and stably conducting performance adjustment depending on property of the fly ash. The method comprises the steps of: adding water to fly ash to produce slurry; adding collector to the slurry, feeding the slurry and the collector to a static-type mixer 4, a venturi pipe 24 or the like to add shearing force to them; adding frother to them to generate air bubbles; and adhering unburned carbon of the fly ash to the air bubbles to raise the unburned carbon. The frother and air can be fed to the static-type mixer or the like together with the slurry and the collector. Depending on the change in property of the fly ash, the number of the static-type mixers or the like used in series can be increased or decreased, and depending on required capacity, the number of the static-type mixers or the like used in parallel may be increased or decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Saito, Kazuo Abe, Kazuyoshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8893893
    Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a froth floatation cell for separating substances comprises introducing gas into liquid in the cell, creating a froth controlling gas flow rate into the cell in order to maximize gas recovery for the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Le Roux Cilliers
  • Patent number: 8881911
    Abstract: A method of operating a flotation cell wherein a feed stream containing particles is provided to the flotation cell wherein a proportion of the particles rise in the cell and exit the cell in a concentrate stream and a proportion of the particles sink in the cell, wherein at least a portion of the particles that sink in the cell are subject to a classification process to produce classified particles and at least a portion of the classified particles are recycled to the flotation cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Xstrata Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Francis Young, Le Vi Huynh, Brenton Burford
  • Patent number: 8794446
    Abstract: A sparging device for a flotation cell may include a central gas tube with a central gas orifice which is adjoined by at least two connecting tubes each having a connecting gas orifice, the connecting tubes being aligned at a right angle ss to a longitudinal axis LZ of the central gas tube, the central gas orifice being connected to the connecting gas orifices, and each connecting tube being connected to at least one gas injection unit at its end remote from the central gas tube. A flotation cell with such a sparging device and a flotation method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Blendinger, Robert Fleck, Gerold Franke, Lilla Grossmann, Werner Hartmann, Wolfgang Krieglstein
  • Publication number: 20140209517
    Abstract: A dispersion nozzle for dispersing a liquid with a gas, has a gas feed nozzle and a tubular mixing arrangement which has an inlet zone for the gas and the liquid and an outlet zone for a gas/liquid mixture. The mixing arrangement adjoins the gas feed nozzle. The gas feed nozzle is tapered in the direction of the mixing arrangement and opens into the inlet zone. The mixing arrangement has at least one liquid intake opening in the inlet zone. In the inlet zone a ratio of a diameter DG of a gas outlet opening of the gas feed nozzle and an internal diameter DM of the mixing arrangement is in the range from 1:3 to 1:5. A gas regulating valve meters a quantity of the gas being supplied with the gas feed nozzle. The dispersion nozzle may be used in a flotation machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Blendinger, Robert Fleck, Gerold Franke, Lilla Grossmann, Werner Hartmann, Wolfgang Krieglstein
  • Publication number: 20140151273
    Abstract: The flotation process is widely used in mineral industry for the separation of minerals from low-grade ore slurry. Several parameters, such as the bubble size distribution and/or amount of solids in the froth and slurry affect the outcome of the flotation process. To be able to monitor these parameters, knowledge of the temporal changes of froth-slurry phase interface as well as froth-air interface is essential. In the present invention, an electrical resistance tomography probe sensor, which is capable of analyzing the properties of froth and slurry based on the correlation between the estimated conductivity information and the parameters of interest, is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: OUTOTEC OYJ
    Inventors: Anssi Lehikoinen, Marko Vauhkonen
  • Publication number: 20140144814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a polymeric quaternary ester product as a collector in a froth flotation process, to a method for froth flotation utilizing the polymeric quaternary ester, to the polymeric quaternary ester as such, and to methods for the production of the polymeric quaternary ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Natalija Gorochovceva, Anders Klingberg
  • Patent number: 8714361
    Abstract: Materials in battery and electrochemical cells are separated in a form suitable for recycling by employing froth flotation techniques. Bulk materials, such as casings, are removed from converted battery scrap and the resultant pulp is subjected to froth flotation. Froth flotation agents, including frothers, collectors and/or depressants, are used to manipulate the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the materials in the scrap. Hydrophobic materials are entrained in the air bubbles of the froth and float out of the froth flotation vessel while those that are hydrophilic remain in the vessel, thereby separating battery grid materials without resort to pyrometallurgical, energy intensive or other environmentally undesirable processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: RSR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8678193
    Abstract: A pneumatic flotation machine (100) has a housing (1) with a flotation chamber (3), at least one nozzle arrangement (4) for feeding gas and a suspension into the flotation chamber as well as at least one gassing arrangement (5) for feeding further gas into the flotation chamber (3), which arrangement is disposed within the flotation chamber (3) and below the at least one nozzle arrangement (4), wherein there is furthermore at least one adjusting device (9) for changing a position of the at least one gassing arrangement (5) in the flotation chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lilla Grossmann, Wolfgang Krieglstein, Sven Menger
  • 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: 20140001102
    Abstract: A housing of a flotation device has a flotation chamber with at least one inlet for a suspension. The flotation device has at least one foam collecting unit, arranged on an upper face of the housing, for receiving and discharging a foam product, and at least one fluid distribution element, provided above the at least one inlet in the flotation chamber, for generating a flow directed toward the at least one foam collecting unit. The vertical position of the at least one fluid distribution element is variable above the at least one inlet in the flotation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Stefan Blendinger, Robert Fleck, Gerold Franke, Lilla Grossmann, Werner Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20130341251
    Abstract: A flotation device for separating off a valuable mineral from a suspension, has a housing having a flotation chamber, a foam collector for removing a foam product formed in an upper region of the flotation chamber, a feed arrangement for feeding gas and/or suspension into the flotation chamber, an adjustable orifice via which the flotation chamber is horizontally divided into an upper part and a lower part and an open internal diameter of the flotation chamber is locally avoidable. The orifice is arranged completely in a suspension region of the flotation chamber. A measuring arrangement determines a variable in the operation of the flotation device. A control appliance connected to the arrangement automatically adjusts the orifice in dependence on the at least one state variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Blendinger, Robert Fleck, Gerold Franke, Lilla Grossmann, Werner Hartmann, Wolfgang Krieglstein
  • Publication number: 20130299394
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling operation of a froth flotation cell, the method comprising: introducing gas into a liquid in the cell, thereby to create a froth on the surface of the liquid, the froth having a depth from the surface of the liquid to an overflow point at which the froth overflows and leaves the cell; and controlling the froth depth to optimise the gas recovery with respect to the froth depth. Optimisation of the gas recovery with respect to the froth depth leads to the recovery of a froth concentrate of both high grade and high product recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Johannes Jacobus Le Roux Cilliers
  • 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: 20130193036
    Abstract: Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. When a gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced into a separation vessel, a baffle directs the rising bubbles toward the perimeter of the apparatus. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a froth collection launder. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: RENEWABLE ALGAL ENERGY, LLC, EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Clayton, Stephen N. Falling, Jeffrey S. Kanel, C. Calvert Churn, III
  • Publication number: 20130153472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for efficient hydrophobic particles to gas bubble attachment in a slurry is provided. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a slurry stream into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing slurry; introducing gas into the flowing slurry during at least a portion of its travel in the chamber, the gas being introduced orthogonally to the stream through means located at the chamber inner wall and for developing gas bubbles which move into the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Jakob H. Schneider, Tomasz Duczmal
  • Publication number: 20130140218
    Abstract: A flotation cell and a method of froth flotation. The flotation cell comprises a first vessel portion and a second vessel portion. The first vessel portion has a feed slurry input, an agitator and a gas input located in or operatively connected thereto. The first vessel portion is a mechanically agitated pressure vessel and acts as a particle collection unit. The second vessel portion has a tailings output and a froth discharge operatively connected thereto. The second vessel portion is hydraulically connected to the first vessel portion and receives agitated slurry and gas from the first vessel portion. The second vessel portion acts as a bubble disengagement unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Glenn S. Dobby, Glenn A. Kosick
  • Patent number: 8439202
    Abstract: To effectively utilize coal ash while reducing mercury concentration in cement kiln exhaust gas. Coal ash is received from a thermal power plant or the like; the received coal ash is separated into ash and unburned carbon; the separated ash is utilized in a cement manufacturing facility as a cement raw material; and the separated unburned carbon is utilized in the cement manufacturing facility in accordance with mercury concentration in gas exhausted from a cement kiln of the cement manufacturing facility. In case that the mercury concentration in the gas exhausted from the cement kiln of the cement manufacturing facility is high, in the coal ash, unburned carbon with high mercury content can be treated in facilities other than the cement manufacturing facility without feeding the unburned carbon to the cement manufacturing facility, or the quantity of such unburned carbon fed to the cement manufacturing facility can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventors: Tomomichi Nakamura, Hisashi Kondo, Shinichiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20130105365
    Abstract: A process for purifying plastic from a waste stream can include separating a waste stream into two or more mixtures of flakes with each mixture containing one or more plastic types and performing an automated sorting process on the first mixture to increase the weight percentage of a plastic family in the first mixture. The separation process can include at least one process selected from the group consisting of density separation, electrostatic sorting, froth flotation, and density differential alteration. Prior to the automated sorting process, the first mixture can include at least 80% by weight of one or more plastics from the plastic family.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MBA POLYMERS, INC.
    Inventor: MBA Polymers, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8381914
    Abstract: A method for separating and recovering silicon debris from sawing waste is characterized in that it includes the following steps: —treating the sawing waste so as to deoxidize the silicon debris in a manner that reduces their surface energy, —applying to the sawing waste thus treated a flotation method using a flotation liquid and a nonoxidizing flotation gas, and —recovering the silicon debris at the surface of the flotation liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventor: Patrik Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8360245
    Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment and method for flotating mineral slurry (4) in a flotation cell provided with a flotation mechanism (3), comprising at least a drive shaft (6), a rotor (5) and a stator (7), and at least one inlet (11) for feeding mineral slurry (4), a froth launder system (8) for removing mineral enriched froth, at least two discharge outlets (28, 12) for removing two material flows with two different grain sizes from the flotation cell, in which case the flotation cell (2) is provided with a classifying equipment (1) including means for setting the mineral slurry (24) to be classified, separated from the mineral slurry, in an essentially upwardly moving rotary motion in the flotation cell, as well as means for separating coarser material (25) from finely divided material (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Timo Niitti
  • Patent number: 8360246
    Abstract: In a froth flotation method and apparatus an upwardly open circular trough (4) having outlets (5) on the outer periphery of the trough is arranged horizontally above the froth phase (F) so that the trough is coaxial with the flotation vessel (1), and said circular trough is rotated around its center axis. A stationary water pipe (6) is arranged above the trough (4). Fresh water (W) is fed via the water pipe (6) into the trough (4) while the trough is rotating, and the water is let to flow by gravity and centrifugal force from the trough (4) via the outlets (5) into the froth phase (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Outotec Oy
    Inventor: Peter Bourke
  • Patent number: 8281932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for efficient hydrophobic particles to gas bubble attachment in a slurry is provided. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a slurry stream into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing slurry; introducing gas into the flowing slurry during at least a portion of its travel in the chamber, the gas being introduced orthogonally to the stream through means located at the chamber inner wall and for developing gas bubbles which move into the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro Processing & Mining Ltd.
    Inventors: Jakob H. Schneider, Tomasz Duczmal