Abstract: What is presented is a system and method for bubble creation in a fluid injection nozzle for the injection of a gas into a liquid to divide the gas into the smallest possible bubble size with the largest cumulative surface area by maximizing the percentage of gas at the highest possible kinetic energy that is in contact with the liquid. The fluid injection nozzle comprises a convergent inlet for receiving a fluid and a divergent outlet for exhausting the fluid. The divergent outlet has multiple exhaust ports.

Abstract: A sensor system for a sparger having a housing with an inlet configured to receive a flow of compressed gas for injection of bubbles into a flotation system. The sensor system comprises a flow measurement device in line with the inlet and a movable rod assembly within the housing. A sensor and a target that move relative to each other, wherein one of the sensor and the target is located in the housing the other is located on or attached to the movable rod assembly. The sensor for measuring parameters of motion, position, and vibration, relative to the target based on the movement of the movable rod assembly. The sensor system for determining operating parameters of the sparger based on analysis of the measured motion, position, and vibration of the sensor relative to the target and flow measurements from the flow measurement device.

Abstract: A system for metal detection comprises a single aperture comprising two or more sets of detection coils that surround the perimeter of the aperture. A flow path of materials passes through the aperture. Each set of detection coils comprises a transmitter and two receiver coils, with the transmitter coil located between the two receiver coils. Each set of detection coils is at a different angle relative to the flow path.

Abstract: A sparger for injection of bubbles into a flotation system comprises a housing, a movable rod assembly, and a sensor system that comprises a sensor and a target that move relative to each other. One of the sensor and the target is located in the housing and the other is located on or attached to the movable rod assembly. The sensor for measuring motion, including position and vibration, relative to the target based on the movement of the movable rod assembly. The sensor system for determining operating parameters of the sparger based on the analysis of the measurement of the motion of the sensor relative to the target.

Abstract: A separation system is presented that partitions a slurry containing a plurality of particles that are influenced by a fluidization flow (which comprises teeter water and gas bubbles) and a fluidized bed. The separation system comprises a separation tank, a slurry feed distributor, a fluidization flow manifold and a gas introduction system. All of these components are arranged to create the fluidized bed in the separation tank by introducing the slurry through the slurry feed distributor and allowing the slurry to interact with the fluidization flow that enters the separation tank from the fluidization flow manifold. The gas introduction system is configured to optimize the gas bubble size distribution in the fluidization flow. The gas introduction system comprises a gas introduction conduit and a bypass conduit. The gas introduction system can be adjusted by modulating the flow of teeter water through the gas introduction conduit.

Abstract: A system for metal detection comprises a single aperture comprising two or more sets of detection coils that surround the perimeter of the aperture. A flow path of materials passes through the aperture. Each set of detection coils comprises a transmitter and two receiver coils, with the transmitter coil located between the two receiver coils. Each set of detection coils is at a different angle relative to the flow path.

Abstract: A system for concentrating particulate mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material in a fluid medium is presented. The system comprises a separation chamber comprising three or more processing compartments in series. Each processing compartment comprises a manifold for the introduction of teeter water that comprises a mixture of water and air bubbles, suspended solids that form a fluidized bed that is created by the upward movement of the teeter water through the suspended solids; and each processing compartment is independently operable. An overflow launder is located above the separation chamber and a dewatering compartment is located beneath the separation chamber.

Abstract: What is presented is a system and method for bubble creation in a fluid injection nozzle for the injection of a gas into a liquid to divide the gas into the smallest possible bubble size with the largest cumulative surface area by maximizing the percentage of gas at the highest possible kinetic energy that is in contact with the liquid. The fluid injection nozzle comprises a convergent inlet for receiving a fluid and a divergent outlet for exhausting the fluid. The divergent outlet has multiple exhaust ports.

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.

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.

Abstract: What is claimed is a flotation separation system for partitioning a slurry. The slurry includes a hydrophobic species that can adhere to gas bubbles that form within the slurry. The flotation separation system includes a flotation separation cell. The flotation separation cell has a sparger unit and a separation tank. The separation tank is constructed to allow the bubble dispersion to form a froth at the top of the slurry contained in the separation tank. The sparger unit includes a slurry inlet, a slurry outlet, a sparging mechanism, a high shear element, and a gas inlet.

Abstract: A sparger for injection of bubbles into a flotation system comprises a housing, a movable rod assembly, and a sensor system that comprises a sensor and a target that move relative to each other. One of the sensor and the target is located in the housing and the other is located on or attached to the movable rod assembly. The sensor for measuring motion, including position and vibration, relative to the target based on the movement of the movable rod assembly. The sensor system for determining operating parameters of the sparger based on the analysis of the measurement of the motion of the sensor relative to the target.

Abstract: A splitter that physically delineates the travel path between material steams having different trajectories mounted on a metal sorting system. The splitter has an outer edge and comprising an automatic mechanism located at the outer edge for removing accumulated debris from the splitter. The automatic mechanism may be a sliding body that moves across said outer edge or a retractable blade extends and retracts to remove debris from the splitter.

Abstract: What is presented is a material processing system for processing tailings discharged from an ore processing system. The tailings comprise coarse waste rock, the fine waste rock, coarse valuable product, and the fine valuable product. The material processing system comprises a classification element, a coarse flotation element, and a fines flotation element arranged to separate the coarse valuable product, the coarse waste rock, the fine valuable product, and the fine waste rock. The classification element separates the coarse waste rock and/or the coarse valuable product from the fine waste rock and/or the fine valuable product. The coarse flotation element separates the coarse waste rock from the coarse valuable product, the fine waste rock, and/or the fine valuable product. The fines flotation element separates the fine valuable product from the coarse waste rock, the fine waste rock, and/or the coarse valuable product.

Abstract: A system for concentrating particulate mixtures of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material in a fluid medium is presented. The system comprises a separation chamber comprising three or more processing compartments in series. Each processing compartment comprises a manifold for the introduction of teeter water that comprises a mixture of water and air bubbles, suspended solids that form a fluidized bed that is created by the upward movement of the teeter water through the suspended solids; and each processing compartment is independently operable. An overflow launder is located above the separation chamber and a dewatering compartment is located beneath the separation chamber.

Abstract: A splitter that physically delineates the travel path between material steams having different trajectories mounted on a metal sorting system. The splitter has an outer edge and comprising an automatic mechanism located at the outer edge for removing accumulated debris from the splitter. The automatic mechanism may be a sliding body that moves across said outer edge or a retractable blade extends and retracts to remove debris from the splitter.

Abstract: A separation system is presented that partitions a slurry containing a plurality of particles that are influenced by a fluidization flow (which comprises teeter water and gas bubbles) and a fluidized bed. The separation system comprises a separation tank, a slurry feed distributor, a fluidization flow manifold and a gas introduction system. All of these components are arranged to create the fluidized bed in the separation tank by introducing the slurry through the slurry feed distributor and allowing the slurry to interact with the fluidization flow that enters the separation tank from the fluidization flow manifold. The gas introduction system is configured to optimize the gas bubble size distribution in the fluidization flow. The gas introduction system comprises a gas introduction conduit and a bypass conduit. The gas introduction system can be adjusted by modulating the flow of teeter water through the gas introduction conduit.

Abstract: A separation system is presented that partitions a slurry containing a plurality of particles that are influenced by a fluidization flow (which comprises teeter water and gas bubbles) and a fluidized bed. The separation system comprises a separation tank, a slurry feed distributor, a fluidization flow manifold and a gas introduction system. All of these components are arranged to create the fluidized bed in the separation tank by introducing the slurry through the slurry feed distributor and allowing the slurry to interact with the fluidization flow that enters the separation tank from the fluidization flow manifold. The gas introduction system is configured to optimize the gas bubble size distribution in the fluidization flow. The gas introduction system comprises a gas introduction conduit and a bypass conduit. The gas introduction system can be adjusted by modulating the flow of teeter water through the gas introduction conduit.

Abstract: A material removal system for removing oversized materials from a material stream. This material removal system comprises a first transfer system that is used to transport a material stream, a pulley separator, and a gap that is at least as small as the length of the oversized materials that are to be removed from the material stream. Moreover, the pulley separator comprises a rotatable outer shell that has a tubular width and circular cross-section. The pulley separator is located at a discharge end of the first transfer system to create a gap that is at least as small as the length of the oversized materials to be removed.

Abstract: A magnetic drum separator for the separation of ferrous and non-ferrous materials from a material stream that comprises an outer shell that is rotatable by a drive mechanism. The outer shell has a tubular length, a circular cross-section, a traction plate is joined to the outer shell, the traction plate has a traction element. In another embodiment the outer shell has a tubular length, a circular cross-section, and a integral traction element. The traction elements could be a series of negative indentations, raised bumps, perforations, serrated teeth, protruding ridges, segmented protruding ridges, minor cleats, or segmented minor cleats.