Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus (1) for deaerating a feed fluid, the apparatus comprising a chamber (3) for separating said feed fluid into a first component (11) substantially comprising froth or gas and a second component (12) substantially comprising deaerated liquid or sludge; an opening (6) for fluid flow from said separating chamber (2), and a device (7) for restricting fluid flow through said opening, wherein said opening (6) and said flow restricting device (7) induce a rotational flow of said feed fluid in said separating chamber such that said rotational flow generates a centrifugal vortex to separate said feed fluid into said first component (11) and said second component (12). A method of for deaerating a feed fluid is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).

Abstract: The invention provides a separation device (20) for separating pulp from a feed material, the separation device comprising a tank (1) for receiving the feed material, a rake assembly (21) mounted for rotation within the tank (1) to move pulp towards an outlet (22) thereof and a shearing device (23) for shearing pulp within the tank (1), the shearing device (23) being mounted for movement independently of the rake assembly (21). The invention also provides a method for reducing donutting in a separation device (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as a slurry containing minerals. The thickening apparatus comprises a tank (2), a feedwell (4), which includes a chamber having an inlet for receiving feed slurry (9) and an outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one conduit (5) for feed slurry to deliver a feed slurry (9) into the feedwell, means for diluting the feed slurry, when at least one separate dilute liquid conduit (16, 19) is directed tangentially with respect to the feedwell (4) and at least one inflow aperture (15) is arranged tangentially with respect to the feedwell for recirculating the dilute liquid from the tank inside the feedwell in order to dilute the feed slurry.

Abstract: The invention provides a method (20) for controlling a disturbance (15) to networked pulp in a separation device comprising a tank (1), the method (20) comprising the steps of introducing a feed material into the tank at a flux (21); allowing pulp to settle out of the feed material and form into a networked layer of pulp (22); disturbing the networked pulp in a disturbance zone (16) of the networked layer (23); and controlling one or more disturbance parameters with respect to the flux and/or one or more operational parameters to controllably apply an optimal disturbance to the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (31). The invention also provides a separation device for separating pulp from a feed material.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus (1) for deaerating a feed liquid (3) comprising a liquid suspension or pulp, the apparatus comprising a feed conduit (2) to convey the feed liquid (3) into a separator (4), the separator (4) comprising a mechanical agitator (5) for inducing a rotational flow of the feed liquid in a separation chamber (6), such that the rotational flow generates a centrifugal vortex (15) to separate the feed liquid into a first component (7) consisting essentially of froth or gas and a second component (8) consisting essentially of deaerated liquid or sludge, the separator (4) further comprising a device (17) for controlling the location of the vortex (15) in the separation chamber (6). The invention also provides a method for deaerating a feed liquid (3) comprising a liquid suspension or pulp.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as a slurry containing minerals. The thickening apparatus comprises a tank (2), a feedwell (4), which includes a chamber having an inlet for receiving feed slurry (9) and an outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one conduit (5) for feed slurry to deliver a feed slurry (9) into the feedwell, means for diluting the feed slurry, when at least one separate dilute liquid conduit (16, 19) is directed tangentially with respect to the feedwell (4) and at least one inflow aperture (15) is arranged tangentially with respect to the feedwell for recirculating the dilute liquid from the tank inside the feedwell in order to dilute the feed slurry.