Abstract: A particle separator comprising a liquid column having a liquid admission point located above the column lower end. Coarse size particles migrate downwardly to a hopper in the columns lower end. Carrier liquid flows upwardly through the column; fine size particles are removed at different levels along the liquid path.

Abstract: A liquid column (2) is placed between two high-frequency ultrasound sources (6) in the field of a standing wave produced by the sources. Each source produces a convergent beam that compensates for a substantial part of the attenuation of the ultrasound energy that occurs at higher frequencies. It is thereby possible to increase considerably the axial distance along the standing wave over which streaming effects due to acoustic pressure are absent or negligible. It is also possible to increase the angle of convergence to compensate for divergence of the outputs from the sources.

Abstract: A process for programming of field decay or of increase of channel flow in field-flow fractionation which imparts improved uniformity of fractionating power which comprises an improvement in the field-flow fractionation technique which involves varying one of the parameters that affect the interaction of the sample components with the field and fluid medium in order to reduce separation time and better equalize component separation. These parameters include decreasing the field strength according to a specific power equation, or increasing the flow rate according to another power equation, or use of both parameters together.

Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is established in a fluid medium with a varying energy density in its nodal planes. Particles in the fluid medium responsive to the acoustic energy accumulate at these nodal planes and by the action of the variations of energy density in conjunction with the fluid viscous forces and/or field forces acting in the direction of the nodal planes, the movement of the particles held at these planes can be controlled. The adverse effects of attenuation of the acoustic beams producing the standing wave are reduced in this system, because any streaming due to imbalance of the acoustic forces forming the standing wave does not act in the direction in which the movement of the particles can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating materials by making use of the difference in the specific gravities, when the material under separation is made to flow in countercurrent with respect to the flowing medium. The separating apparatus of the invention is advantageously composed of at least two flow pipes (2) with essentially equal diameters, and each of these is provided with a connected side flow pipe (6) by aid of which the material under separation can be divided into at least three different fractions.

Abstract: A density-current method and apparatus for separating produce, such as potatoes, from debris, such as roots, vines, corn cobs, wood, metal objects, and rocks. An elongated tank with a non-turbulent flow of water allows the objects to stratify. A chain conveyor seperates the upper strata of debris. An increase in velocity causes the water and produce to be removed from the apparatus. The objects that sink are removed from the apparatus by a chain conveyor. The invention is an efficient method for separating debris from large volumes of produce.

Abstract: Separation of particles types from a mixed population of particles in a liquid is obtained in an ultrasonic wave produced by interference between the outputs from spaced ultrasonic sources (115,118). One or more selected particle types may be separated by displacement axially along the standing wave or may be carried transversely through the standing wave or by combining both methods. The described separation can be achieved by control of flow of the liquid or giving the standing wave a drift, or by controlling the intensity or the frequency of the standing wave or by any combination of these factors. The preferred ultrasonic frequency range is between 100 kHz and 100 MHz. The process is particularly suitable for the separation of biological particles, from macromolecules to plant cells.

Abstract: Cyclone separator for treating granular solid material to derive separate fractions of different densities, comprise a treatment chamber divided into first and second treatment compartments. A relatively more dense fraction of material is fed via interconnected outlet from one treatment compartment to the other treatment compartment for retreatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a slurry into phases containing larger and smaller grains has an upright tank in which a plurality of downwardly extending inlet pipes open at their lower ends between outlets for the coarse and fine phases located at the bottom and top of the tank, respectively. At the lower end of each inlet pipe, an upwardly widening frustoconical cup is provided with a bottom confronting the open end of the inlet pipe to deflect the slurry upwardly and outwardly. Within the cup swirl vanes impart a swirl to the slurry.

Abstract: Sedimentation field flow fractionation apparatus having a rotor-mounted fractionation column, has detectors positioned to observe the fluids from the column while still in the rotor. Designs include parallel reference and fractionation columns having their outflows compared in a rotor-mounted fluid flow density balance. Optionally weired channel columns provide a free fluid surface for more efficient resolution. Horizontal rotational axes are preferred. Rotor-mounted fluid flow density balances are also provided which are suitable for detecting liquid density changes in the other applications, such as liquid chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of gold from particulate material containing gold, which comprises introducing a hydrophobic liquid, a non-gold particulate hydrophobic bulking material and particulate, gold containing material into an aqueous liquid so that the hydrophobic liquid becomes associated with the gold and, in conjunction with the non-gold particulate hydrophobic material, forms gold bearing agglomerates bonded by the hydrophobic liquid, and separating the gold bearing agglomerates from the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A device for separating fine articles as sand from a sludge containing ultrafine articles comprises a continuously rotated substantially horizontal drum having a helical web at the peripheral inside thereof. The mass flow to be separated is deposited in the drum at a place spaced from both ends of the drum. The drum moves the sand at the bottom of the drum to the discharge end thereof, where a water feeding system is arranged providing an oppositely directed fresh water flow which mixes with said ultrafine particles forming a sludge. The sand is elevated at the discharge end of the drum by a plurality of buckets and discharged via an inclined discharge chute through an outlet opening of the drum. The sludge is discharged through the opposite front wall opening through which the mass flow is fed within a feeding tube.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprised of a rotary drum having a plurality of internal vanes for conveying slag material is presented. The slag is conveyed upwardly by the vanes, after which is falls freely onto a conveyer belt passing longitudinally through the drum. Deflectors guide the slag during its fall onto the belt. The deflectors are divergent and inclined relative to the direction of movement of the conveyer belt. The rotatable drum is axially subdivided into a plurality of sections, the vanes of each section being angularly offset in relation to the vanes of adjacent sections. The filtering apparatus herein effects uniform charging of slag material onto the conveyer belt.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus comprised of a rotary drum having a plurality of internal vanes for conveying slag material therein therein is presented. The slag is conveyed upwardly by the vanes, after which it falls freely onto a conveyer belt passing longitudinally through the drum. Each vane consists of a retaining blade and a liquid permeable filtering blade spaced from the retaining blade. A deflecting means is positioned beneath the filtering blade. The deflecting means includes a deflecting plate associated with a support member. The support member and the retaining blade provide a supporting frame work for the rotary drum.

Abstract: A plastic ring has a circumferential groove formed in its outer peripheral surface. The ring is fitted in a bowl-type centrifuge rotor such that the ring's outer surface contacts the inner wall of the rotor. The channel is defined by the groove and rotor wall. The rotor is filled with a compensating liquid to reduce centrifugal stress on the plastic and to reduce leakage from the channel.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably of a lower density than the hub. The hub contains a shallow channel on its outer surface and is interference-fitted to the outer ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A free floating plastic channel for sedimentation field flow fractionation is suspended in a centrifuge rotor filled with a compensating liquid. The channel is constructed of a plastic central hub assembly fitted with a plastic outer ring preferably having a lower density than the hub. The outer ring contains a shallow channel on its radially inner surface and is interference-fitted to the inner ring to insure a liquid tight seal at zero force field. With the liquid totally surrounding the hub-outer ring assembly, stresses on the plastic parts are essentially equalized even under high force fields and leakage from the channel at the hub-ring interface is greatly reduced.

Abstract: The channel in a sedimentation field flow fractionation apparatus is improved by the use of a heavy liquid layer formed of a water immiscible, chemically inert, nontoxic material. This thin, heavy liquid layer prevents the sample from plating on the outer channel wall thereby permits a less perfect finish to be formed and to some degree corrects lack of circularity of the channel. Where multiple channels are used, the use of this layer reduces leakage between adjacent channels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rearing shrimp through the larvae stage wherein the shrimp are subjected to controlled conditions and a common enclosure for the male and female adult shrimp is provided which permits uncontrolled access of the shrimp to one another and wherein the shrimp are maintained through a plurality of cycles of mating, spawning and hatching. The system is further provided with filtration means for filtering the medium of the common enclosure and with collecting means for collecting hatched shrimp at preselected times from the common enclosure medium as the medium moves into the filtration means.

Abstract: A long, thin annular belt-like channel can be used in sedimentation field flow fractionation. A rotating seal is required to couple fluids to the channel inlet and from the channel outlet. A flexible shaft is used to drive the rotating seal and thereby decouple rotor vibrations, which cause can leakage, from the rotating seal.

Abstract: The mass center of a field flow fractionation channel is adjusted to coincide with the geometric center of the channel. Under these conditions, above critical rotor speeds, the mass center will coincide with the geometric center of the channel and both will coincide with the spin axis of the rotor. This ensures that all portions of the field flow fractionation channel are subjected to about the same centrifugal force.

Abstract: A sedimentation field flow fractionation channel is constructed to have an outer support ring and a continuous inner channel ring mating with the support ring to define the channel. The channel ring has a tension modulus capable of following centrifugally induced expansions of the support ring. The channel ring is weight loaded to facilitate its following support ring expansions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and recovering raw coal with no more than about 5% moisture and coal fines down to 200 mesh is disclosed. A complete washing plant having the ability to wash raw contaminated coal is disclosed. However, this invention is directed toward methods and apparatus for processing the coal slurry or effluent, and the wet coal obtained from a coal washing plant which methods and apparatus recovers coal fines down to 28 mesh. The apparatus and method of this invention separates the slurry which includes coal fines and contaminant material below 28 mesh by various screening and centrifugal processes such that coal fines down to 200 mesh are recovered. In addition, the methods and apparatus include various screens and centrifugal dryers for drying the wet coal thus recovering even more coal fines and reducing the moisture. The method and apparatus processes the effluents which include water and the contaminant materials such that the contaminant solids are removed from the water.

Abstract: A method for separating solid phase from drilling mud, comprising forming from drilling mud an adhesive layer 4 on a revolving closed curvilinear surface 3 by partially submerging it in the drilling mud and forming from a treatment liquid (5) an adhesive layer (7) on another closed curvilinear surface (6) which is caused to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first curvilinear surface (3). Both closed curvilinear surfaces (3, 6) are arranged in such a manner that their adhesive layers (4, 7) penetrate one another at a depth sufficient for the adhesive layer (7) of the treatment liquid to take-off coarse solid phase particles from the adhesive layer (4) of the drilling mud. Linear velocities of the adhesive layers (4, 7) are chosen in such a manner that the resultant centrifugal forces be equal to or lower than the centripetal forces.

Abstract: A fragmented material is dissolved continuously by impregnation and immersion into a solvent bath in which said material is subjected to a moderate mixing movement allowing it to be kept within the interior of said bath to undergo dissolution therein until formation of fine residual particles of insoluble material which are maintained in suspension by this movement, the whole being removed continuously by a controlled overflow of the bath. This process is applied to cellulose contained in various lignocellulosic materials, which is dissolved continuously by immersion of the previously impregnated material into a bath of hydrochloric acid through which hydrogen chloride gas is caused to bubble, to effect complete dissolution of the cellulose and suspension of the fine insoluble residual lignin particles.

Abstract: The method described is useful in field flow fractionation techniques for reducing separation times and improving the convenience and accuracy of measuring sizes or molecular weights of particulates. In field flow fractionation, the particulates (particles or macromolecules) are subjected to a force field and a mobile phase while passing through a flow channel. This field strength is decreased exponentially as a function of time. Alternatively the flow velocity is increased exponentially as a function of time. The initiation of the change in field strength or flow velocity may be delayed a period of time. If this time delay is made equal to the time constant of the exponential decay, the range of particulate retention time that is linearly related to the logarithm of the particle size or molecular weight is increased.An apparatus for implementing the method is also described and teaches the use of a function generator for providing the desired exponential decay and delay time.

Abstract: A long, thin annular belt-like channel is designed for use in sedimentation field flow fractionation. The channel has a generally rectangular cross section and a width to thickness aspect ratio lying in the range of 3-50 to 1. The channel may be formed of a flattened capillary tube. The ratio of the thickness of the channel to the characteristic height of the particles to be separated is greater than 5 to 1.

Abstract: A long, thin annular belt-like channel is designed for use in sedimentation field flow fractionation. This channel, which may be the rotor of a centrifuge, is designed to maintain its thickness dimension constant by forming the radially inner wall with a radial thickness that is about balanced by the centrifugal pressure of fluid in the flow channel.

Abstract: A long, thin annular belt-like channel is designed for use in sedimentation field flow fractionation. This channel, which may be contained in the rotor of a centrifuge, has a generally rectangular cross-section. It has an inlet positioned to introduce particulates (includes particles and/or macromolecules) approximately at the radial distance from the outer wall that is the equilibrium distance resulting from the average force field exerted on each particulate by the centrifugal force field and by the opposing normal diffusion forces due to Brownian motion. An outlet for the channel is similarly located. A modified design tapers the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A long, thin annular belt-like channel is designed for use in sedimentation field flow fractionation. This channel, which is the rotor of a centrifuge, is designed to maintain its thickness dimension constant and yet facilitate its manufacture and cleaning by forming the rotor of a double mating ring in which the inner ring is split. This permits the inner ring to conform to the outer load carrying ring.

Abstract: Colloidal particles are fractionated by size and dissolved polymers are fractionated by molecular weight by passing a polar solvent dispersion containing one or both through a bed of surface-bonded particles wherein the particles consist of a nonswellable inert core with a polar solvent-swellable surface coating of bonded organic polymer. The core can be either an insoluble cross-linked organic polymer gel or an inorganic solid such as silica or alumina.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of impurities from an aqueous slurry, dispersion or suspension. Streams of aqueous phase and an organic phase comprising a non-polar organic liquid are passed through a multi-compartment rotary contactor. A collector reagent is present during at least part of the passage of the streams through the contactor and gives the impurities a hydrophobic surface. The phases are contacted by continuously bringing the aqueous and solvent phases into contact with one another while maintaining an interface between the two phases. The two phases and the interfacial layer containing at least some of the impurities are independently withdrawn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating solids of different relative weights by exposing the generally horizontally flowing solids to a fluid separating current flowing in a generally upward direction to buoy up the lighter solids while permitting the heavier solids to sink. The separating current is established by means of a hydrostatic pressure differential between two communicating fluid zones having different fluid levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous, steric field-flow fractionation and segregation of particles according to particle size. An elongate, fluid flow channel carrying a stream of entrained particles is subjected to a force field which urges the particles against one of the channel walls. The field strength is sufficient and in an appropriate direction to maintain the particles in close proximity to the wall so that particle size determines the rate of movement down the channel, the larger particles being exposed to the higher flow rates toward the center of the flow stream. The combined effects of fluid flow forces and force field strength develops a pattern of selective particle deflection from a point of particle infusion near the top of the channel, such that the particles drift and settle into segregated groups of common particle size.

Abstract: A steric field-flow fractionation system including a flow channel adapted for use with a carrier stream of fluid having particles suspended therein and a force field disposed across the flow channel to cause migration of the particles to a restraining wall, thereby forming layers of particles at the restraining wall. The strength of the force field is adjusted sufficiently high to maintain the particles of a given class at the restraining wall such that particle distance from the wall is a function of steric hindrance. Particle displacement by flow along the channel is thereby determined by particle size, permitting fractionation of the particles based on differential migration of the various sizes of particle classes.

Abstract: A method of separating highly hydrophobic plastics from a plastics mixture comprising placing the plastics mixture in an aqueous liquid medium, keeping the aqueous liquid medium in an agitated state to disperse the plastics mixture whereby the plastics having a higher hydrophobicity float on the aqueous liquid medium surface, and removing the plastics floating on the surface of the aqueous liquid medium.

Abstract: Water is supplied to an inclined drum having a helical wall on its inner peripheral surface to cause the water to flow over the helical wall and also on the inner peripheral surface of the drum and to thereby form a flow of water running from the upper end of the drum to its lower end. Waste glass is fed to the drum while the drum is rotated at a high speed. During falling of the waste glass onto the flow of water, during settling of the waste glass in the water flow while it is being sent toward the drum upper end by the helical wall, and while the settled waste glass is maintained by the high-speed rotation of the drum in a suspension-resembling state in which pieces of the waste glass are dispersible and in rocking motion circumferentially of the drum, extraneous matter is forced toward the drum lower end and run off therefrom due to its resistance per unit weight thereof to the flow of water which resistance is greater than that of the waste glass.

Abstract: A method of reducing the radioactivity found in naturally occurring kaolins to about 40% below its native value, and the leachable radiogenic components to less than 20%. This reduction is achieved by removing from the kaolin particles of a size less than 0.5 microns. This removal may be carried out by gravitational settling, flocculation of non-colloidal particles, or acid leaching.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of metallic values from materials such as catalysts containing or supporting the values. The method comprises removing a layer or layers and a catalyst support including a quantity of the metallic value and thereafter chemically or otherwise separating the value therefrom.

Abstract: Particles suspended in a fluid medium are separated into isolated fractions by size by passing a suspension of such particles through an unobstructed passageway, the particles emerging from the passageway in decreasing order of size.

Abstract: Freshly dredged gravel is washed free of loamy and organic impurities while being continuously conveyed through a wash zone which includes a delivery chute and a plane endless conveyor band entrained in a direction opposite to that of the material delivery. The conveyor band is mounted in a housing which includes side walls closely adjacent the lateral edges of the conveyor band and a hopper below the conveyor band. The conveyor band is trained over a vertically adjustably mounted drive roller and a tensioning roller defining an upper and a lower course of the conveyor band therebetween. Two additional rollers are arranged in vertical alignment and between the first-named rollers, a lower one of these rollers guiding the lower conveyor band course and an upper one of these rollers being vertically adjustably mounted and arranged to depress the upper conveyor band course to form a basin in the wash zone to which the chute delivers the granular material.

Abstract: A method for hydrodynamic separation of enantiomorphic crystals such as mono-clinic or tri-clinic crystals as well as other bodies, at least one of which does not possess a center of hydrodynamic resistance, wherein said bodies are caused to move in one direction through a fluid in face contact with a supporting surface whereby lateral separation between crystals or bodies are effected in response to a resultant perpendicular force acting on said crystals or bodies.