Abstract: A method of washing and grading silica sand for glass production includes removing trash and relatively large contaminants from a sand feed material via a sequence of multiple vibrating screens, collection sumps, hydrocyclones, a density separator, a classification tank, and a dewatering screen. The resulting silica sand product is suitable for glass production.

Abstract: An apparatus for the wet attrition of particulate material comprising an attrition scrubber; a dewatering screen comprising a deck and a sump beneath the deck, the dewatering screen being mounted upstream of the attrition scrubber whereby oversize material from a downstream end of the deck of the dewatering screen passes into the attrition scrubber; and a hydrocyclone wherein an underflow, containing a coarser fraction of the feed slurry, passes out of a lower outlet of the hydrocylone while an overflow, containing a finer fraction of the feed slurry and most of the water, passes out of an outlet at the upper end of the hydrocyclone, a pump being provided for pumping material from the sump of the dewatering screen to the inlet of the hydrocyclone, wherein the underflow from the hydrocyclone is passed into the attrition scrubber.

Abstract: A method of washing and grading silica sand for glass production includes removing trash and relatively large contaminants from a sand feed material via a sequence of multiple vibrating screens, collection sumps, hydrocyclones, a density separator, a classification tank, and a dewatering screen. The resulting silica sand product is suitable for glass production.

Abstract: A multi-deck screening assembly includes upper and lower screen decks, each having first and second deck sections. The upper deck's first deck section has first-size grading apertures, and its second deck section is downstream of the first deck section with second-size grading apertures larger than the first-size apertures. The lower deck's first section has third-size grading apertures and its second section is downstream of its first section with fourth-size grading apertures larger than the third-size apertures. A gap between the lower deck's first and second sections allows oversize material from the lower deck's first section to pass through to a first collection region. A diverter is positioned between the upper and lower decks and over the gap, whereby material from the upper deck collected on the diverter passes onto the lower deck's second section, thereby preventing undersize material that passes through the upper deck from passing directly through the gap.

Abstract: A multi-deck screening assembly includes upper and lower screen decks, each having first and second deck sections. The upper deck's first deck section has first-size grading apertures, and its second deck section is downstream of the first deck section with second-size grading apertures larger than the first-size apertures. The lower deck's first section has third-size grading apertures and its second section is downstream of its first section with fourth-size grading apertures larger than the third-size apertures. A gap between the lower deck's first and second sections allows oversize material from the lower deck's first section to pass through to a first collection region. A diverter is positioned between the upper and lower decks and over the gap, whereby material from the upper deck collected on the diverter passes onto the lower deck's second section, thereby preventing undersize material that passes through the upper deck from passing directly through the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for the wet attrition of particulate material comprising an attrition scrubber; a dewatering screen comprising a deck and a sump beneath the deck, the dewatering screen being mounted upstream of the attrition scrubber whereby oversize material from a downstream end of the deck of the dewatering screen passes into the attrition scrubber; and a hydrocyclone wherein an underflow, containing a coarser fraction of the feed slurry, passes out of a lower outlet of the hydrocylone while an overflow, containing a finer fraction of the feed slurry and most of the water, passes out of an outlet at the upper end of the hydrocyclone, a pump being provided for pumping material from the sump of the dewatering screen to the inlet of the hydrocyclone, wherein the underflow from the hydrocyclone is passed into the attrition scrubber.