Abstract: A centrifugal solids-liquids separator comprises a rotatable hollow centrifuge drum at least a part of which is tapered, and which is rotatable about its axis, means for introducing a slurry of solids and liquids to be separated at a point along the length of the drum spaced from a wider end so that rotation of the drum tends to cause migration of the slurry towards the said wider end, and scraper conveyor means rotatable about an axis coincident with that of the drum and at a relative speed which is low in relation to the absolute speed of the drum, the scraper conveyor means being so mounted that they act in direct contact with the inside surface of the drum so as to displace solids contacted thereby towards the narrow end of the drum against the axial force induced by the rotation.

Abstract: To separate minerals, they are made up into a slurry A applied to a hollow tapered cylinder 301 spinning on its axis to generate 10 g centrifugal force.The cylinder 301 is also subjected to axial vibration at 5 to 10 Hz. The cylinder widens at a half-angle of 1.degree., and its axis is inclined at 2.degree. upwardly in the direction of widening.A film of slurry is held centrifugally to the internal surface of the cylinder and kept in suspension by the vibration. The denser (i.e. higher specific gravity) particles in the slurry tend to move preferentially radially outwardly (centrifugally) and to move downwardly in the boundary layer (under Earth's gravity). The action of the washing water B is to displace waste accidentally entrained with the higher-specific-gravity-particles.The valuable higher-specific-gravity particles overflow downwardly continuously at C and are collected.

Abstract: To separate minerals, they are mde up into a slurry applied through feed pipe 46 to a vertical-axis spiralinder 32 spinning on its axis to generate 10 g centrifugal force. The spiralinder is also subjected to axial vibration at 5 to 10 Hz. A film of slurry is held centrifugally to the internal surface of the spiralinder and kept in suspension by the vibration. The denser (i.e. higher specific gravity) particles in the slurry tend to be most firmly pinned centrifugally. The lightest particles thus drop first into the trough 44 and are dumped by switchable box 45. The centrifugal spinning is then slowed and the dense particles scoured off by wash water. The whole cycle is then repeated.

Abstract: To separate minerals, they are made up into a slurry A applied to a hollow tapered cylinder 301 spinning on its axis to generate 10 g centrifugal force. The cylinder 301 is also subjected to axial vibration at 5 to 10 Hz. The cylinder widens at a half-angle of 1.degree., and its axis is inclined at 2.degree. upwardly in the direction of widening. A film of slurry is held centrifugally to the internal surface of the cylinder and kept in suspension by the vibration. The denser (i.e. higher specific gravity) particles in the slurry tend to move preferentially radially outwardly (centrifugally) and to move downwardly in the boundary layer (under Earth's gravity). The action of the washing water B is to displace waste accidentally entrained with the higher-specific-gravity-particles. The valuable higher-specific-gravity particles overflow downwardly continuously at C and are collected.

Abstract: A sand separator has two sloping decks. Each receives a sand suspension for separation, and both are continuously smoothly reciprocated horizontally, transversely to the slope direction. The separator follows a cycle of operations whereby sand suspension is fed to each deck in turn, is separated by the reciprocation and is flushed off to bins collecting separate time-intervals of flushings.

Abstract: A cyclone separator has an operative clearing member such as an elongated rod for clearing obstructions in a passage or inlet or outlet section of the cyclone, especially the vortex finder outlet and apex outlet. The elongated rod is disposed outside the cyclone during the normal period of separation and means are provided to insert it, for example through the vortex finder and thereafter through the apex outlet, from outside the cyclone when a clearing action is initiated.

Abstract: A cyclone is assembled from a kit having a feed head, a frusto-conical body and an apex nozzle all held together under axial pressure, all being arranged as a push-fit into each other. Supplementary bodies and complementary feed heads, all still arranged as push-fits, allow cyclones to be built up from the basic kit to larger diameters. The cyclones are held together in an assembly under axial pressure between end plates and may be arranged in a circular configuration with a single connector at the center of the circle holding the plates within a desired distance of each other.