Abstract: An improved flotation cell for recovery of minerals from ore using a three phase system flotation process provides improved metallurgical recovery through improved rotor/stator and cell design by establishing good zonal separation within the cell and minimizing froth turbulence, providing uniform aeration in the cell, and accommodating higher aeration volumes before encountering turbulence. Parameters for the rotor/stator pump assembly, a deflector vane forming part of the stator and for pump assembly/cell configuration are disclosed.

Abstract: A flow sensor to detect changes in the mass flow per unit time of pneumatically conveyed particles within a system. The flow sensor or detector includes a conduit segment formed of a hard material so that a wall of the segment will vibrate due to the impacting of the particles thereagainst as they flow through the conduit segment. There is associated with the segment a vibration excitable piezoelectric transducer which has a resonant frequency and which at the resonant frequency generates an electrical signal or high voltage as compared to that generated by the transducer at all other frequencies, above and below the resonant frequency. Any deviation in the high generated voltage is utilized to detect a change in the kinetic energy of the particles flowing through the conduit segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the zeta potential of particles in a suspension comprising: a cell containing at least a portion of the suspension of particles; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in a cell; means for producing an electric field between the first and second electrodes, the electric field causing the particles to accelerate; means for converting a force, the force being generated by the acceleration of the particles, into electrical energy; and means for measuring the electrical energy.

Abstract: This relates to a portable abrasive throwing wheel device or abrasive blasting device which is utilized for blasting castings and the like to effect the cleaning thereof. The portable device is of such a construction whereby its total weight is on the order of 100 pounds and is so suspended wherein it has very little thrust reaction on an operator so that it may be readily manipulated. Further, the principal thrust of the device is carried by the suspension for the device and otherwise is directed towards the operator so that it may be readily counteracted. The portable device includes a fixed motor and a fixed abrasive supply with a throwing wheel carried by the motor and only a housing portion being movable. The housing is rotatable about the axis of the motor and serves to permit the discharge opening of the device to be tilted to the desired angle for directing the abrasive blast where desired. Several abrasive supply systems are provided as are several mountings for the portable device.

Abstract: A drum structure for a rotary drum vacuum filter wherein the drum comprises a pair of conical shaped support members having concentrically arranged interconnected peripheral base portions with the apexes of the support members carried by spaced cylindrical end plates which form the end walls of the drum. Filtrate compartments are formed beneath the outer filtration surface of the drum by adjacent pairs of a plurality of spaced panels having edge portions fixed to both the support members and the end plates.

Abstract: A method for treating the fine-grained spend absorbent (primarily calcium sulfite and calcium sulfate) from a dry flue gas desulfurization process. The absorbent, having a small amount of binder therein, is oxidized in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature in the range from about 700.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. to produce a dry essentially fully oxidized pelletized calcium sulfate product.Calcium sulfate pellets having an average diameter of from about 0.5 mm to 5 mm and containing from about 1% to about 3%, by weight, of binder constituents, are composed of agglomerated calcium sulfate particles having an average diameter of from about 50.mu. to about 100.mu. bound to each other by the binder constituents.

Abstract: A low pressure filtration and thickening device comprising a tank having a plurality of suspended filter elements therein and a plurality of filtrate receiving compartments in the upper portion of the tank for receiving filtrate from the filter elements wherein a filtrate discharge system is provided for providing separate and uninterrupted flow paths for the filtrate from the filter tank to a storage tank.

Abstract: A flotation separation cell is disclosed having a rotor-stator pump assembly wherein a rotor body comprises integrally formed hub, blade and top plate members. These members form a gas chamber in an upper sector of the rotor. The blades are curvilinear and of parabolic or vortex shape. A gas stream which is conveyed to the gas chamber is discharged from the gas chamber in a transverse direction and flows in gas pockets along surfaces of moving blades for dispersion in a slurry.

Abstract: This relates to the mounting of vanes on a runnerhead of an abrasive blasting machine. The face of the runnerhead is provided with slots in which bases of vanes are slid in a generally radial direction with the base having an interlock with the runnerhead so as to retain the vane against movement normal to the face of the runnerhead. This particularly has to do with the locking of the vane base in the runnerhead slot. The pin is rectangular as opposed to the usual circular pin and the outer ends of the runnerhead slot and vane base are provided with cooperating slots and grooves which receive the pin, the pin being inserted in a first groove and slot arrangement at an angle to the axis of the base and then rotated or pivoted into a second groove and slot arrangement where it is locked in place against retrieval. The pin is locked in place by the outward movement of the vane from its pin inserting position.

Abstract: A cam-actuated stop member in an electrode stripping mechanism prevents any lifting of the electrode away from the hooked lifting elements during lowering of the electrode against the doctor blades and so avoids damaging the electrode and/or lifting elements by dropping the electrode after doctoring.

Abstract: Apparatus arrangement and Method for providing pressure relief for the locking ring in the rotor of nozzle type centrifugal machines. The locking ring secures the top cover section to the main body section of the rotor bowl, against the internal compression pressure exerted by the stack of separating discs confined between the top and bottom of the rotor bowl. Pressure relief for the locking ring is provided by absorbing or sustaining said internal pressure by means separate from the locking ring. The locking ring thus being relieved of said pressure and of excessive frictional resistance in the thread, is then turnable easily when assembling or disassembling the rotor bowl.