Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from tar sands, which comprises: a) agitating a mixture of tar sand with substantially coarse clean sand at ambient or below ambient temperature in the presence of water, so as to mechanically shear bitumen and enhance the detachment of bitumen particles from mineral matter in said tar sand, b) eluting the detached bitumen and fine mineral matter from the coarse sand by an upward flow of water while stirring gently, c) returning the coarse sand to step a) for reuse, and d) subjecting the eluted bitumen and fine mineral matter to froth flotation to separate the bitumen from said fine mineral matter, wherein the flotation is effected without using any reagents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating mineral-bearing ores and, more particularly, for treating ores containing precious metals, base metals and the like values by providing a means to extract the metal or other values from a particulated ore by classifying the ore to separate values from the gangue, and by continuously chemically leaching the said values from the ore. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, particulated ore is fluidized and intermittently moved through a tank to classify the ore particles into strata according to size, shape and density to beneficiate values, either heavier or lighter than the gangue, for recovery of concentrated values.

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 device for separating liquids from solids and solids from solids is provided by utilizing a tall column filled with liquid which is subjected to a siphon action that pulls the liquid/solids mixture vertically through the column clarifying the liquid and classifying the solids. This siphon method provides a most efficient method of classification of solids and clarification of liquids. Atmospheric pressure and gravity create forces within the device which simultaneously act on every particle. The interior of the tall column has no moving parts.

Abstract: A product separator having a flotation tank through which a quantity of product is passed in a flow of water. A shaped duct having a horizontal capture leg and an upwardly inclined discharge leg is connected into the floor of the tank so that the entrance of the capture leg communicates with the flow and an upper exit in the discharge leg empties into a vibratory hopper. A raised gate passes upwardly into the flow and directs less buoyant product into the capture leg. An ejector is positioned in the bottom of the capture leg and is arranged to direct a continuous high velocity stream of water across the transition region between the two legs into the discharge chute into a segregation hopper.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (10) are provided for separating and classifying particles (48,50,56) by dispersing the particles within a fluid (52) that is upwardly flowing within a cone-shaped pipe (12) that has its large end (20) above its small end (18). Particles of similar size and shape (48,50) migrate to individual levels (A,B) within the flowing fluid. As the fluid is deflected by a plate (42) at the top end of the pipe (12), the smallest particles are collected on a shelf-like flange (40). Ever larger particles are collected as the flow rate of the fluid is increased. To prevent particle sticking on the walls (14) of the pipe (12), additional fluid is caused to flow into the pipe (12) through holes (68) that are specifically provided for that purpose. Sticking is further prevented by high frequency vibrators (70) that are positioned on the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A mixture of two sets of similarly sized particles having different terminal velocities in a separation liquid is separated. This is done by removing either the smaller particle portion of the set having the greater terminal velocity, or the larger particle portion of the set having the lesser terminal velocity, or both, for example, by sieving. The resulting mixture is introduced into a tube in which the separation liquid is flowing upwardly. This eliminates intermixing of the fines of one set with the larger particles of the other set. The flow of liquid in the tube can be arranged to provide laminar flow separated by two regions of turbulent flow to improve separation of particles. Anion and cation exchange resin particles can be separated in this manner, regenerated and returned to service.

Abstract: A method for separating and transferring an ion-exchange resin having the lower specific gravity from an ion-exchange resin having the higher specific gravity in an ion-exchange resin separating tank that is indispensable to a pure or ultrapure water producing plant and which is packed with a mixed bed of ion-exchange resins having different specific gravities is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and an apparatus for beneficiating a mineral ore, such as phosphate-containing ore, in a substantially vertical column. The feed subjected to the benefication preferably has a particle size of less than 20 mesh. The feed is introduced into the column, containing at least one baffle, into which there is also introduced a gas at the bottom portion thereof and a liquid through at least one column inlet at the top of the column. The baffle and the rates of introduction of the feed, the gas, and the liquid are such as to create relatively high turbulence conditions within the column. The enriched, beneficiated product is removed at the top of the column, while the waste products, such as silica-containing material, in the case of a phosphate ore, are recovered at the bottom of the column.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to separate heavier metal particles from lighter particles gangue in a fluidic medium by gravity and fluid flow. A vertical container provides a lower fluid input chamber that communicates through a medial structure providing a plate defining a plurality of valve ports, a screen, and a plate defining a plurality of holes to an upper chamber carrying particulate material to be beneficiated. Pressurized water flows upwardly through the medial structure to separate more dense metal bearing particles in the medial structure and gangue exits from a central orifice defined in the medial portion of the separating structure. The apparatus uses small amounts of water which may be recycled. The beneficiator is unusually efficient in recovering particulate gold from alluvial sands.

Abstract: The invention consists of an upright tank structure that includes axially aligned first and second tank parts, the first tank part being smaller in diameter than the second part. A first horizontal barrier plate having holes therethrough is mounted in the first tank part between upper and lower regions of the same. A second annular barrier having holes therethrough is mounted between the side walls of the first and second tank parts between upper and lower regions. Feed slurry is introduced into the upper region of the first tank part. Water under pressure is introduced into the region below both the first and second barriers and is caused to flow upwardly through the openings of the barriers with the formation of water jets extending upwardly from the openings. In operation the solids of the feed slurry are separated into coarse, fine and intermediate or middling fractions. The invention includes both apparatus and a method of operation.

Abstract: According to the invention, the grains of the hydrate slurry are separated by sedimentation where the dispersed bubbles of air are removed in course of the presizing, then a supplementary sizing is carried out. Preferably, a liquid free from hydrate grains is fed in to stream against the sinking grains. This liquid is advantageously the spent liquor of the hydrate filter. The apparatus according to the invention consists of a container with conical bottom, a feeding device, a slurry outlet stub and an overflow channel. The inlet stubs of the feeding device, however, are placed off-center and every stub is connected with a presizing equipment. This equipment is composed of a bundle of pipes and/or a pack of plates which are slop placed to geometrical axis: At the upper part of the presizing equipment there is a foam overflow apparatus. The bottom of each presizing equipment is connected with a common cone-frustum type deflector casing. The casing is concentric with the container.

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: Apparatus and method for the separation of solid particles from hydrous slurries being particles of different settling velocities, such as slurries containing minerals including ore solids, coal and sands. The slurry solids are subjected to the jetting action of water discharged through barrier plate openings to effect separation between particles of greater settling velocity, which progress downwardly through the openings and are discharged in an underflow, and particles of lower velocity that progress upwardly and are discharged in an overflow.

Abstract: This specification relates to a counter-flow sedimentation separator and process which is designed to separate mixed particulate materials on either side of a present cutoff density and to a method of separating such materials. The separator has been designed to highgrade gold, zinc, tin, lead, barite and gold tailings, but can be used to perform a similar function with other materials given an adequate density difference between the materials to be separated. It employs a series of counterflow separation units used in conjunction with screening operations in such a way as to effect density separations. This process is specially provided with new and inventive embodiments which increase systems efficiency and density selectivity, while decreasing water and energy requirements.

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: A heavy metal separator for removing heavy metal particles and flakes from ore. It has a feed hopper which feeds a slurry of ore over an inclined screen in a separation chamber. The smaller particles pass through the screen into a second section of the separation chamber. The larger particles wave downwardly off the lower end of the screen into a first section of the separation chamber. A stream of water is directed by baffles upward through the second section counter current to the flow of materials. The water washes the less dense waste material out of the second section into the first section. The fine heavy metal particles and flakes, being more dense, settle downwardly to a collection point at the bottom of the second section. The larger concentrates and fine waste material move downwardly through the first section to an outlet, where they pass into a second separation chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the elutriation of particles of a Ziegler-Natta type alpha-olefin polymerization catalyst, based on transition metal compound(s) and preferably also comprising magnesium compounds, by means of an elutriation liquid which is a non-polar liquid, for example a hydrocarbon chemically inert in relation to the catalyst. The apparatus comprises a tank (M2) for the preparation of the catalyst suspension and the elutriation column or columns (F1), (F2).

Abstract: A cyclonic separator for separating solid particles from a fluid comprises a housing including a chamber, a first deflector between the chamber and its inlet for deflecting the fluid flowing from the inlet to a radially-extending passageway before reaching the chamber, and a second deflector between the radially-extending passageway and the chamber for deflecting the fluid in the circumferential direction before entering the chamber to produce a vortex therein for separation of solid particles from the fluid before the fluid reaches the chamber outlet. The housing further includes a dirt-purging outlet at the bottom of the chamber for purging the solid particles settling therein.

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: A method and apparatus for separating a hydrous slurry into overflow and underflow fractions which have particles differing in settling velocities. When applied to slurries of natural sand the invention provides an overflow containing fine sand particles and an underflow containing coarse sand particles. A barrier is employed having openings through which water flows upwardly with jetting action to provide a separating action in which coarse solids pass downwardly and fine particles progress upwardly. The apparatus is constructed whereby the slurry is introduced tangentially into the space above the barrier to cause continuous swirling movement of the material.

Abstract: A teeter bed density control device is disclosed in a hindered-settling fluid classifier of the type having a teeter fluid supply system in a chamber with a fluidized teeter bed zone, an overflow zone and an underflow discharge outlet with the control device comprising an upper sensor for measuring average particle density from the upper boundary of the teeter bed zone to the top of the overflow zone, a lower sensor for measuring average particle density from the lower boundary of the teeter bed zone to the top of the overflow zone, a controller connected to the sensors for generating a compensating control signal based upon a preselected density standard and the average density of the teeter bed zone as determinable from the upper and lower average particle density measurements, and an actuable valve for regulating the discharge of the underflow discharge outlet with the controller being connected to the valve for actuation thereof responsive to the compensating control signal.

Abstract: In a coal gasification installation having a gasifier reactor and a water bath at the bottom of the gasifier reactor, a mixture of water and slag particles removed from the water bath is admitted under pressure into a container full of water and having a partition member for separating the heavier slag particles entrained to the bottom of the container from the lighter particles allowed on its opposite side to rise and float. A dam at the surface of the water in the container retains the floating particles while the clean water flows over the dam to an outlet. The floating particles which may be collected inside the container or entrained through a second outlet, are filtered and classified. Filtering is effected with a drum filter; and when several such filters are used in cascade, the slag particles are classified for recycling.

Abstract: Device for the separation of substances contained in a liquid, when such substances exhibit a density, which is close to the density of the liquid, the device preferably being used for the extraction of fat and protein matters from process water in the food industry.By in vertical direction accelerating and the flow of a liquid containing particles with higher or lower density than the liquid, in which the particles are suspended, and at the same time change the direction of flow, particles heavier than the suspending liquid can settle on the bottom of a vessel (1), from where they can be drawn off, and particles lighter than the suspending liquid are collected on the surface, from where they can be removed by for example skimming.The acceleration and retardation are brought about by changes of areas in a vessel with a guided flow and where the direction of flow, which is substantially vertical, is turned by about 180.degree. at several occasions.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for separating materials of small size. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a separation tub which can be filled with a liquid up to a preselected level, means for introducing a conveying liquid with the materials to be separated into the tub below said preselected level under a pressure which is higher than that existing the area of introduction due to the effect of the weight of the liquid in the tub, and first and second material-ejection means arranged at said preselected level and, respectively, at the tub bottom to eject lighter and, respectively, heavier material.

Abstract: Gold flakes and small nuggets are separated from heavy sand by fluidizing the mixture with an upwardly flowing water column having a very uniform velocity across its section. The upwardly flowing water column has sufficient flow to fluidize the suspended material but not enough to carry the heavy sand over the top of the column. Heavy sand is withdrawn from the upper portion of the fluidized mixture to leave the gold below the withdrawal point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating coarse sand particles from fine sand particles in a slurry of sand and a solution such as results from the solvent extraction of tar sand, such method comprising causing flow of such slurry in a generally horizontal direction and then causing upward flow at a rate such that coarse particles settle out and fine particles move upwardly to a slurry outlet. The apparatus preferably comprises a tubular duct for downward flow, bottom openings in the duct for outward flow, a lower receptacle for coarse particles and an annular space surrounding the duct for upward flow of slurry of solution and fine sand particles.

Abstract: Enriched quantities of male and female sperm are obtained in physically separate fractions utilizing the hydrodynamic behavior of sperm in laminar flow. A flowcell fractionator is provided for performing the method, and includes a specially constructed pipette, valve and infusion pump combination.

Abstract: Method and apparatus 10 permits material immersed in a body of fluid to move under the influence of gravity across inclined surfaces 14 and 24 having an angle of incline below the horizontal approximately equivalent to that of the repose angles .alpha. and .beta. of the fluid-immersed material. Such materials are moved under the influence of gravity rather than fluid forces to winnowing channels 25 comprising closed regions of finite length through which an upwelling flow of fluid at relatively high velocity passes into the fluid body in which the material is immersed. Undesired materials pass upward, borne on the upwelling flow through the fluid body while desired materials 36 move through winnowing channels 25 counter to the upwelling flow, passing along surface 251 at the repose angle .beta. of such material within the region of relatively high fluid velocity in accord with the material's fluid settling characteristics.

Abstract: Uranium ore is crushed and formed into a slurry. The slurry is pumped into a leaching tank and classified by a sparge tube projecting water at teeter velocity at the bottom of the ore bed. Thereafter, a second ore bed is pumped by the slurry into the tank and the second bed classified. This is repeated until there are four or five ore beds in the tank.Thereafter, the ore is leached by passing liquid up from the bottom of the tank at velocities less than teeter velocities so that the bed remains classified.After leaching, the ore is formed into a slurry and the slurry pumped from the tanks to disposal.

Abstract: A hydraulic bean cleaner for removing rocks from beans has a hopper for gravity-feeding uncleaned beans down an inner cylindrical tube into a cylindrical separator tank. The inner tube has a bean discharge opening centered just above the bottom of the tank. An outer cylindrical tube concentrically surrounds the inner tube, providing an annular passageway therebetween and a water discharge opening surrounding the bean discharge opening. A first vibrator vibrates the tubes as a unit to help feed the beans down the inner tube. A second vibrator vibrates the hopper independently of the tubes to aid in feeding the beans to the inner tube. The beans drop into the bottom of the tank and water is expelled downwardly into the tank around them. The water entrains and fluidizes the beans, carrying them laterally away from the bean discharge opening and buoying them upwardly. The turbulent flow of water agitates the beans.

Abstract: A process for concentrating mica in a mixture of sand and mica is disclosed, which comprises introducing the feed mixture of sand and mica into an upper part of a density separating vessel in which is provided a rising current of an aqueous medium, the velocity of the current being uniform or substantially uniform over a horizontal cross-section of the vessel and being such that all but the least buoyant particles of the mixture are held in suspension as a bed which is gently displaced upwards in the vessel by incoming feed mixture; and passing a slurry which overflows from the vessel over a screen having an aperture size in the range from 210 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m (No. 72 mesh to No. 30 mesh B.S sieve), there being retained on the screen a mixture of sand and mica having a higher percentage content of mica, as calculated in the dry state, than the feed mixture.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing compounds in a liquid, wherein it is constituted by a helical vibrating elevator having a tank with a vertical axis, a fixed cover, an annular helical ramp fixed to the tank wall, means for imparting a reciprocating movement about its axis and in a vertical plane to the ramp, said movement being such that the rotation speed of the ramp in one direction exceeds the rotation speed thereof in the opposite direction, at least one liquid supply pipe in the cover, at least one lateral discharge opening for the liquid in the tank, a supply chute for the compounds carried by the cover and whose axis coincides with that of the tank and a discharge chute for the compounds located at the top of the helical ramp and in an extension of the latter.The apparatus can in particular be used for the continuous dissolving of nuclear fuels in nitric acid during the reprocessing of said fuels.

Abstract: This invention provides a process and system for the segregation of used catalyst contaminated by the extended processing of hydrocarbon feedstocks. It utilizes multi-stage fluidization and segregation of the catalyst in an upflowing liquid, and recovery of the less contaminated catalyst upper fraction for reuse. The recovery vessel comprises at least two concentric compartments, either or both of which may preferably be tapered so as to provide less cross-sectional area at the upper end of the catalyst bed for improved fluidization of the used catalyst. The used catalyst material is usually introduced into the annulus between the vessel walls, and the lower density less contaminated fraction is accumulated within the inner compartment, from which it is withdrawn for reuse.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of coal, by the treatment of coal particles, contained in an aqueous slurry, of floatable coal-oil particles, with an oxygen-containing gas at elevated temperature and pressure, comprising the steps of:(a) feeding the oxygen-containing gas and the aqueous slurry of floatable coal-oil particles, at process pressure, to a bottom zone of a vertically disposed, elongated reactor vessel;(b) passing the gas and aqueous slurry in cocurrent flow upwardly through a baffled reaction zone, maintained at reaction temperature and pressure, the baffled reaction zone having a plurality of baffle plates spaced therethrough generally normal to the reactor wall, each baffle plate having a configuration generally conforming to the internal diameter of the reactor vessel and a plurality of apertures disposed about the baffle plate, to provide a total aperture area equal to from about 3% to about 28% of the vessel cross-sectional area as free area;(c) continuously withdrawing the aqueous

Abstract: To avoid using salt in a costly flotation separator process for various products of differing specific gravities, a fresh water flotation system is employed having a controlled buoyancy zone in which an induced current or up-flow elevates the product component of lesser specific gravity causing it to overflow a product conveyor divider member and to settle on that side of the conveyor away from the product component of greater specific gravity. The separation of clam meat from clam shells is envisioned.

Abstract: A method of separating granular pourable materials in fluidized bed layers formed by fluid media. These layers are withdrawn by a fluidizing medium from the top downwardly one after the other down to slightly above the border surface of the lowest layer but one. Subsequently, the fluidizing medium which remains above the residual layer is rotated, and the residual layer is completely withdrawn by means of the thus created secondary radial flow toward the central region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a mixture of cation and anion resins is disclosed. The separation involves introducing the mixture of cation and anion resins to a treatment zone in countercurrent flow with a carrier fluid to achieve hydroclassification of the resins. The method and apparatus may be employed to separate cation and anion resins on either a batch or continuous basis.

Abstract: A slurry of coal solids or similar carbonaceous material substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles is prepared for delivery to any desired place of use by introducing particulate coal and a suitable carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone; passing a stream of slurry from the slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; returning a concentrated slurry stream from the separator to the slurry preparation zone; and passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from the separator to an elutriation zone, which communicates with and extends downward from the slurry preparation zone, in such a manner as to form an upward directed current in the elutriation zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating an agglomeration of materials having different densities. The agglomeration of materials is fed to a vessel where separation into constituent parts takes place. The vessel is filled with a liquid having a density lower than the constituent materials, the liquid then being injected under pressure into the bottom of the vessel so that lighter materials are entrained in the subsequent liquid flow to be removed from the vessel while heavier materials collect at the bottom of the vessel. Means are provided at the bottom of the vessel to remove the collected heavier material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the sex of mammalian offspring through separation of X-chromosome female producing sperm and Y-chromosome male producing sperm. The separation is accomplished by producing a thermal convection counter stream within a sedimentation column containing a universal medium with sperm suspended therein, and subsequently allowing the two sperm populations to sediment into different fractions according to different densities. The positive and negative geotaxis thus applied to the sperm facilitate a more efficient separation than has been previously obtained. The apparatus used to accomplish this separation includes means for producing a temperature differential between axial and peripheral portions of the medium contained in the sedimentation column thus creating the necessary thermal convection counter stream, and may also comprise a laser capable of scanning the length of the column and laser detecting means to determine the distribution of sperm produced within the medium.