Patents Assigned to Sortwell & Co.
  • Patent number: 8721896
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the use of low molecular weight polymers to aggregate mineral components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Edwin T. Sortwell
  • Publication number: 20120018383
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the use of zeolite to assist in dispersion of components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry and, in particular, to the use of zeolite in the recovery of bitumen from an oil sands slurry, water recovery from the slurry, and the subsequent consolidation of residual mineral solids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Edwin T. Sortwell
  • Patent number: 6190561
    Abstract: A method of coagulating particulates, as in papermaking or water clarification applications, for example, is provided wherein a zeolite crystalloid coagulant is added to water containing the solid matter, a source of multivalent cations, and a cationic acrylamide polymer. The zeolite crystalloid coagulant is preferably prepared by admixing aqueous sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solutions to form a reaction mixture and allowing a reaction to proceed for a sufficient time to form a zeolite crystalloid coagulant particles having particle sizes of at least about 4 nm before terminating the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co., part interest
    Inventor: Leo E. Nagan
  • Patent number: 6183600
    Abstract: A method of coagulating particulates, as in papermaking or water clarification applications, for example, is provided wherein a zeolite crystalloid coagulant is added to water containing the solid matter, a source of multivalent cations, and a cationic acrylamide polymer. The zeolite crystalloid coagulant is preferably prepared by admixing aqueous sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solutions to form a reaction mixture and allowing a reaction to proceed for a sufficient time to form a zeolite crystalloid coagulant particles having particle sizes of at least about 4 nm before terminating the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Leo E. Nagan
  • Patent number: 5935425
    Abstract: A centrifuge such as a continuous solid bowl centrifuge, for example, includes a rotatable bowl for receiving a slurry, and defines a zone in which the slurry is accelerated. The centrifuge includes a device such as a slurry feed tube for delivering slurry to the acceleration zone and a device for delivering a plurality of individual streams of flocculant solution coterminating with the slurry delivery device in order to uniformly distribute flocculant solution to the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Edwin T. Sortwell
  • Patent number: 5900116
    Abstract: A method of coagulating particulates, as in papermaking or water clarification applications, for example, is provided wherein a zeolite crystalloid coagulant is added to water containing the solid matter, a source of multivalent cations, and a cationic acrylamide polymer. The zeolite crystalloid coagulant is preferably prepared by admixing aqueous sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solutions to form a reaction mixture and allowing a reaction to proceed for a sufficient time to form a zeolite crystalloid coagulant particles having particle sizes of at least about 4 nm before terminating the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Leo E. Nagan
  • Patent number: 5897012
    Abstract: A collapsible intermediate bulk container for liquid or freely flowable solid materials includes either a fabric outer/film liner bag or a bag of fabric reinforced elastomer. The bag is supported by a collapsible rigid frame which gradually collapses as the bag is emptied. The collapsible rigid frame includes a pallet-base portion that has an upper surface that is sloped to a center drainage point to facilitate complete emptying. The pallet-base portion contains a valve arrangement fixed to either the fabric outer bag (in the film-lined configuration) or to the reinforced fabric bag, at the center drainage point. The collapsed frame provides a compact return package. Either bag configuration may be reused or replaced in whole or in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Edwin T. Sortwell
  • Patent number: 5882605
    Abstract: A reactor for the production or formulation of flowable viscous products is equipped with an internal piston which assists in the removal of product from the reactor interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sortwell & Co.
    Inventor: Edwin T. Sortwell