Abstract: An anti-segregation mixer for a bed of material, the anti-segregation mixer comprising: an elongate and substantially cylindrical shell having an inner surface; and a plurality of independent lifting means provided within the shell, wherein the plurality of lifting means each comprise a vane with a leading end and a trailing end, and are arranged with respect to the cylindrical shell such that the vane is spaced apart from the inner surface and the entire lifting means may pass through the bed of material.

Abstract: A distribution array (10) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the distribution array (10) characterized by: at least one panel (26, 28) of linearly-spaced barrier elements (30), wherein the depth of the barrier elements (30), relative to a length of the settler area (12) in which it is to be positioned, is greater than the spacing between the barrier elements (30), thereby defining a fluid flow channel between adjacent barrier elements (30) that is longer than it is wide.

Abstract: An anti-segregation mixer for a bed of material, the anti-segregation mixer comprising: an elongate and substantially cylindrical shell having an inner surface; and a plurality of independent lifting means provided within the shell, wherein the plurality of lifting means each comprise a vane with a leading end and a trailing end, and are arranged with respect to the cylindrical shell such that the vane is spaced apart from the inner surface and the entire lifting means may pass through the bed of material.

Abstract: A phase splitter (14) for splitting phases of liquids, the phase splitter (14) characterized by an elongate body (16) having a generally convexly curved liquid-facing face (28) when viewed in transverse cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the elongate body (16).

Abstract: A re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) comprising: at least one panel (28, 30) of generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31), an upper barrier element (24) and a lower barrier element (26), wherein the upper and lower barrier elements (24, 26) are arranged relative to the generally vertical barrier elements (31) so as to constrain a fluid flow (32) that impinges thereon such that it is directed through fluid flow channels defined between the generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31).

Abstract: A system for determining cumulative tow gap width includes an in-process vision system having at least one camera adapted to record images of a composite material and a data analysis computer communicating with and adapted to receive image data from the in-process vision system. The data analysis computer may be adapted to calculate a cumulative gap width of tow gaps in the composite material. A user interface may communicate with and be adapted to receive data analysis results from the data analysis computer. A method for determining cumulative tow width gap of tow gaps in a composite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the re-entrainment prevention apparatus (18) comprising: at least one panel (28, 30) of generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31), an upper barrier element (24) and a lower barrier element (26), wherein the upper and lower barrier elements (24, 26) are arranged relative to the generally vertical barrier elements (31) so as to constrain a fluid flow (32) that impinges thereon such that it is directed through fluid flow channels defined between the generally vertical linearly-spaced barrier elements (31).

Abstract: A phase splitter (14) for splitting phases of liquids, the phase splitter (14) characterised by an elongate body (16) having a generally convexly curved liquid-facing face (28) when viewed in transverse cross-section along a longitudinal axis of the elongate body (16).

Abstract: A distribution array (10) for use in a settler area (12) of a mixer-settler, the distribution array (10) characterised by: at least one panel (26, 28) of linearly-spaced barrier elements (30), wherein the depth of the barrier elements (30), relative to a length of the settler area (12) in which it is to be positioned, is greater than the spacing between the barrier elements (30), thereby defining a fluid flow channel between adjacent barrier elements (30) that is longer than it is wide.

Abstract: A system for determining cumulative tow gap width includes an in-process vision system having at least one camera adapted to record images of a composite material and a data analysis computer communicating with and adapted to receive image data from the in-process vision system. The data analysis computer may be adapted to calculate a cumulative gap width of tow gaps in the composite material. A user interface may communicate with and be adapted to receive data analysis results from the data analysis computer. A method for determining cumulative tow width gap of tow gaps in a composite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining cumulative tow gap width includes an in-process vision system having at least one camera adapted to record images of a composite material and a data analysis computer communicating with and adapted to receive image data from the in-process vision system. The data analysis computer may be adapted to calculate a cumulative gap width of tow gaps in the composite material. A user interface may communicate with and be adapted to receive data analysis results from the data analysis computer. A method for determining cumulative tow width gap of tow gaps in a composite structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas plenum assembly for a fluidised bed apparatus, including a structure defining one or more side and base walls about a plenum chamber and means defining an inlet for gas to the chamber, arranged so that the gas flows generally upwardly into the chamber from the inlet. The assembly includes distributor means overlying the chamber, having multiple openings through which the gas exits the chamber for forming a fluidised bed above the distributor means. Means are disposed between the inlet and the distributor means for spreading the gas flow among the openings. The gas flow spreader means has a plurality of apertures for the gas flow therethrough, and the gas flow spreader means and the flow apertures are sized and arranged to substantially reduce cross-flow velocity of the gas at the openings.