Abstract: A solids separation system may be used to separate solids, such as cuttings from drilling fluids used in well drilling operations. The system includes a settling tank having transverse baffles defining a fluid receiving chamber, a fluid output chamber and one or more intermediate chambers. Fluid introduced into the fluid receiving chamber can flow in a sinuous path through apertures in the baffles to the fluid output chamber. Solids settle to the bottom of the settling tank. A material conveyor, preferably an auger, extends along a bottom surface of the settling tank to an outlet port in the fluid receiving chamber. A centrifuge is connected to the output port to receive fluid in which solids have been concentrated. Fluid output from the centrifuge is reintroduced into the settling tank. The apparatus and method of the invention permit a single centrifuge to be used to handle a higher volume of fluid than is possible with conventional methods and apparatus. This provides significant cost savings.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: In a process for controlling the product composition in an apparatus for sizing and sorting mineral raw materials, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one chamber, a sizing separation of the sand fraction into a sand product mass and into a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged via the overflow, is additionally performed in the chamber by means of the level of the fluidized bed in the chamber. For the adjustment of a pre-set concentration of micro particle sand in the sand product mass, the fluidized bed level is controlled such that the micro particle sand fraction in the supplied raw material mass is divided, by means of the fluidized bed, as a function of the pre-set admissible concentration into a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged into the sand product mass and a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged via the overflow.

Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating out light materials from mineral raw materials is provided. The apparatus includes a charging device that has a charging tube provided with an eccentrically arranged inlet for tangential introduction of raw material. The apparatus also has an inner chamber for separating out coarse sand received from the charging tube, and an outer chamber that serves for sorting out fine sand pursuant to the fluidized bed process. The outer chamber communicates with an overflow chute of the charging tube via an inclined overflow surface. An impingement body is centrally disposed in the inner chamber while leaving free an outer annular gap. The charging tube opens out centrally above the impingement body. A perforated basket, for adjusting flow resistance, is disposed so as to be displaceable in the axis of the charging tube and bridges a space between the impingement body and the end of the charging tube.

Abstract: This centrifugal apparatus comprises a primary frusto-conical filter screen rotating about a vertical axis, which is closed at its smaller diameter end and which is surrounded at its larger diameter upper end by a flat horizontal imperforate ring. A secondary cylindrical filter screen is fixed to and upstands from the periphery of the flat imperforate ring. The solid-liquid mixture is fed to the bottom of the primary filter screen and moves up under centrifugal force, the liquid being filtered and discharged into a surrounding casing. The solids move onto the ring and the liquid is further filtered through the secondary filter screen which retains the solids, being cylindrical. After the desired humidity content of the solids is reached, a scraper is lowered onto the ring to scrape the surface of the same and also the inner surface of the cylindrical secondary filter screen to remove the solids.

Abstract: This invention provides an extraction device and a method for extracting desired particles from a sample stream containing the desired particles. The device has a sample stream inlet, an extraction stream inlet, and an extraction channel in fluid communication with the sample stream inlet and the extraction stream inlet. The extraction channel is for receiving a sample stream from the sample stream inlet in adjacent laminar flow with an extraction stream from the extraction stream inlet. A sequestering material within the extraction channel captures desired particles in the extraction stream. A by-product stream outlet in fluid communication with the extraction channel receives a by-product stream comprising at least a portion of the sample stream form which desired particles have been extracted. A product outlet in fluid communication with the extraction channel receives a product which has the sequestering material and at least a portion of the desired particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating materials having different size densities is described. The apparatus includes a trough (12), a dispersing and conveying screw means (40) and a fluid distribution manifold (26). The trough has upper and lower portions (12F and 12G) with the lower portion forming a pool area. The dispersing and conveying screw means has a conveying portion (46) and a dispersing portion (50). The conveying portion has flights (48) which move the first material (152) up the trough. The dispersing portion has paddles (52) which disperse the mixture (150) and convey the first material to the conveying portion. The fluid distribution manifold supplies both water and air to the inside (12I) of the trough through fluid orifices (28). In operation, the mixture is fed into the trough directly over the fluid orifices and the dispersing portion of the dispersing and conveying screw means. As the mixture enters the trough, the mixture is dispersed and forms an aqueous suspension with the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic reactor and classifier, with ultrasonic application for a continuous process of separation and recovering minerals or other type of materials or for the production of chemical compounds. It comprises a body of two main sections, an upper part and a lower part. The upper part comprises a container, a loading compartment, a lamella package, at least one ultrasound transducer package and a peripheral weir. The lower part comprises an inverted semi-pyramidal container having a square base, the square base attached to the upper part, at least one ultrasound transducer package at different location within the reactor to distribute the ultrasound effect all over the slurry flowing through the reactor, a nozzle for delivering a liquid or a gas. The final part comprises a pinch valve for discharging coarse particles as a slurry.

Abstract: A device comprising two coaxial drums (22, 24) is proposed in order to separate and then proportion objects of different sizes. The objects are introduced into one end of the inner drum consisted mainly of a coil (32) wound in a spiral. Large objects are retained in this inner drum and are routed when in rotation. Small objects drop into the outer drum (24) and are routed to its other end when it is driven in rotation. Small objects drop into the outer drum (24) and are routed to its other end through a spiral inner header (50) when it is driven in rotation. Thus objects such as hulls and end pieces obtained after cutting irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies can be separated and then proportioned.

Abstract: In an apparatus for classifying objects by sedimentation having a straightening passage, capable of being prevented adhesion of bubbles to the straightening passage, and capable of being prevented a sample supplying error generated caused by a closed sample supplying portion on account of air locking, there is provided a bubble-removing passage for removing the bubbles within fluids at upper stream position of a straightening mesh within a classifying bath for classifying objects based on dropping position caused by a final sinking velocity of said objects falling within fluids after throwing said objects into flowing fluids, the bubble-removing passage which comprises a filter and a filter holder secured within the classifying bath through a protuberance.

Abstract: The device (10) includes a cylindrical guiding channel (16) communicating with a lower container (17) formed with two parallel planar walls (21) separated by a distance smaller than the maximum width of the guiding channel. The device is further provided with a motion generator (24) arranged to generate a substantially laminar fluid flow in the guiding channel for conveying particles to the guiding channel. The particles introduced in the guiding channel (16) receive the kinetic energy of the fluid flow, fall in the lower container (17) and are recovered at positions which depend of the mass and the kinetic energy received.

Abstract: An apparatus for refining clay material having a horizontally oriented rotating drum into which clay material and water are fed. The clay material and water form a slurry which is agitated by lifters within the drum. A series of adjustable lifters within the drum refine the slurry by lifting aggregates and rocks out of the slurry and discharging them out of the refiner. The refined slurry exits the drum through an opening in the drum. The refined slurry is then taken away from the drum for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispersing particles suspended in a fluid by creating an obstacle field in a region of a conduit or receptacle and causing the fluid to flow through the conduit where the obstacle field has a configuration that causes the particles suspended in the fluid to disperse in a differential manner in a direction perpendicular to the flow of fluid as the fluid flows through the obstacle field.

Abstract: Coal spiral having a relatively short first stage helix for separating a slurry into clean coal, refuse and middlings splits, and a relatively short second stage helix for recleaning middlings split from the first stage. The first stage has only 3.25 turns, the second stage has only two turns, and a combination separator box and feed box delivers the middlings directly from the first stage to the second. The two helices are aligned coaxially, and are of opposite rotational sense to provide counter-rotation of the middlings in the two stages.

Abstract: A material classification device for separation of solid materials, having a relatively high specific gravity, from a stream of fluid and solid material. The device is particularly suited for the extraction of gold from alluvial material. The device generally comprises an open conduit that has a first opening and a second opening therethrough. A container is attached to the bottom of the conduit so that the openings are in fluid flow communication with the container. A portion of the flow of fluid and materials passes through the first opening and is captured in the container. A tube passes into the container with an aperture therein so that a fluid may be passed into the container to agitate the material collected therein freeing the lighter material so that it can exit the container out the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a filtration method and device for separating particles of a suspension according to their mass. The invention includes a rotating uncloggable filter. The filter rotates inside of a stationery housing. Separation by particle size is achieved by adjusting the rotational speed of the filter. The filter is particularly useful for washing photographic suspensions.

Abstract: Articles, such as apples, to be sorted by size, float in water along a main channel. Depending upon the depths to which the apples penetrate below the surface of the water, the apples may be diverted into one of a plurality of side channels by endless belts positioned at respectively different depths beneath the surface of the water.

Abstract: A device for removal of solid materials from the beds of bodies of water and the separation and capture of materials having a relatively high specific gravity from lighter solid material. The device is particularly suitable for the extraction of gold from alluvial material. The device is small and lightweight and generally comprises a pipe having an open inlet end and an open outlet end. The pipe has a first opening and a second opening that communicate with a container attached to the pipe. A suction force is applied along the length of the pipe so that water and materials from the bed of the body of water enter the pipe. That material having a relatively high specific gravity is collected within the container.

Abstract: In the performance of density gradient centrifugation back mixing after centrifugation is prevented by placing a snugly fitted layering insert within the vessel. The insert is capable of supporting the body of liquid dispersion to be centrifuged under regular gravity condition and enables bi-directional cross-flow during centrifugation. A small mesh filter plate may be placed on top of the layering insert.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating high density materials from less dense materials suspended in a fluid within a conduit. A pump generates carrier fluid motion which is fed through the conduit. Solids from a placer deposit are mixed with the carrier fluid and induced through a suction hose, then into two positively sloped separating chambers that are arranged in tandem in the conduit. The first separating chamber is cylindrical in shape, and motion of the fluid through the chamber is linear. The second separating chamber's cross section shape is rectangular, with a parabolic flow path. The second stage separator floor is variably banked, with the angle of bank and curvature increasing toward the discharge end. Solids, that are mixed with the carrier fluid, are forced along the flow path by dynamic drag of the fluid. Less dense solids travel up the positive slope at a greater velocity than more dense solids. The larger and slower moving dense solids are trapped in two sumps in the first chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a very precise separation between materials of different specific gravities.

Abstract: A lead shot recovery device is disclosed for reclaiming lead shot from a slurry of material taken from lake bottoms. In one embodiment, the device includes a sluice box having an open bottom riffle bed through which can pass a net upward liquid flow. The cooperative action of the upflow and the riffles causes lead shot to fall through the riffle bed and into a collection pit from which the lead shot can be continuously removed. A method for recovering lead shot using the recovery device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water storage chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the water storage chamber. Fluid is input to the separation tank at the level of the oil/water interface. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and an adjustable water overflow unit is provided adjacent the water outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of water in the water leg. The adjustable overflow units allow the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A device for separating particles in a liquid in which a paper suspension to be cleaned and supplied to a chamber of revolution (1) rotating about an axis (2). Movable deviators (7, 8) precede the fixed outlets (9, 10) to intercept most of the through-put of the suspension in the region of the periphery of the chamber (1), then deviate it towards the longitudinal axis of rotation (2) so as to recover most of the kinetic energy of rotation. The outlets (7, 8, 9, 10) are situated at the opposite end to that of chamber (1) from the supply (5, 6) and are arranged at the periphery of this chamber (1). A diabolo-shaped central body of revolution (11) is arranged inside the chamber, along the longitudinal axis of rotation (2) for rotation about its axis and with a radial run-off (12) in the vicinity of its smallest cross-section connected to an axial outlet duct (13).

Abstract: Fractionation apparatus utilizes a rapidly rotating disk which receives a suspension of particles to be separated in a liquid. The rotating disk has a planar floor onto which the particle containing liquid is supplied. The floor is joined to an inclined inner wall in a smooth curve. An axially symmetric trip, located between the inner wall and an outwardly extending, preferably upwardly inclined skirt, maintains particles in the film away from the surface of the disk and results in more efficient ejection of large particles from the liquid. Smaller particles are ejected from the disk along the rim which descends from the skirt or from the edge at which the skirt joins the rim. The characteristics of the disk surface, the disk speed, the size and number of trips, the suspension feed rate, and other operating conditions can be selected such that highly efficient fractionations of particle suspensions, such as wood pulp slurries, can be obtained.

Abstract: A media particle size separating apparatus and method are disclosed for use with a slurry blast cabinet. The system is capable of continuous operation so that under sized blast media particles and fines can be separated out of the slurry along with debris from the blasting operation on a continuous basis. An upwardly open partition divided hopper receives spent slurry from the blasting cabinet to flow through at least two chambers in the hopper to a pump returning the slurry and sized media to the blasting cabinet and nozzles therein. Unusable fines collected in one chamber of the hopper are drawn off through a drain valve.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for separating a liquid medium in different components by gravity in a manner that a medium to be separated is set in slow rotating motion (2) with the axis of rotation substantially vertical, so that the heavier component concentrates in the bottom section of a slow-moving vortex and the lighter component concentrates in the top section of a slow-moving vortex (2). For a more pronounced separation activity and simpler equipment, two or more slow-moving vortexes (2) are contacted with each other in horizontal direction. The outer sections of various settling basins (1) are in contact with each other by way of a gate or channel (40). Various sub-basins (1) can be connected in series or in parallel.

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 mineral separator system providing for the removal of conductor and semiconductor materials from a pulp fluid containing nonconducting materials. Pairs of spaced magnet assemblies provide alternate or successive magnetic fields obliquely across a separation chamber through which the pulp fluid flows. Eddy currents set up in the conductors cause the conductor particles to migrate to a wall in accordance with the orientation of the magnetic field. Electrical stimulation of the semiconductors through the pulp fluid causes the semiconductors to have eddy currents induced therein.

Abstract: Sedimentation classification of particulate material in liquid dispersion. The dispersion is centrifuged in a tubular vessel comprising at least two neighboring compartments communicating via at least one opening which may be capillary. The lowermost compartment has a sealed bottom and the uppermost has an open upper end. Upon completion of the centrifugation a liquid fraction with dispersed particulate material is decanted from the uppermost compartment. Useful products may also be recovered from other compartments.

Abstract: A mixture of cooling liquids and solid pieces of waste from machine tools drop onto an inclined bottom wall of the upper, generally vertically disposed section of an inverted, generally Y-shaped feed chute. One of the two lower, diverging chute sections extends downwardly and rearwardly beneath the upper chute section to a chip wringer, and has its upper end positioned beneath the lower edge of the inclined bottom wall of the upper section to receive the liquids and lighter pieces of waste which tend to drop by gravity into this one lower section. The other lower section of the chute is in general alignment with the inclined bottom wall of the upper section to receive the larger pieces of waste which, because of their momentum or size pass beyond the one lower section and into the other lower section. A stream of air which is directed transversely across the lower end of the upper section blows the remaining liquids and light waste into the one lower section.

Abstract: The improved methods of the present invention function to detackify, float, substantially concentrate, separate, and remove such floating solid materials comprising paint solids from the surface of a volume of spray booth liquid, generally comprising water. In some embodiments, the method may be practiced using apparatus functing in two stages. In other embodiments, a single stage may be utilized. In the first or preliminary concentration stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solid paint materials and to channel the flow of solid materials into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir.

Abstract: A method for classifying sand wherein a mixture of sand and water is introduced into a classification tank (7) partially filled with water. Depending on the weight of the sand grains, the grains of sand will precipitate at the bottom (8) of the tank (7) at graduated distances from an inlet pipe (6), the heavier particles nearest the inlet and the lighter particles farther away.To prevent large quantities of fines, i.e., sand grains between about 0.002 mm and 0.006 mm in size, from being lost by being washed out of the tank (7) together with the overflow water, the water from the tank (7) is recirculated by means of a pump (14) so that the water becomes progressively more saturated with fines, which means that larger amounts of fines will precipitate in the tank (7).Because the water is recirculated, water consumption can be reduced by 2/3, and at the same time the problem of the overflow water from the tank (7) is also reduced.

Abstract: In a sand classification tank for producing classified sand for concrete pouring purposes, i.e., sand containing predetermined fractions of sand grains of different sizes per unit of volume, a mixture of unclassified sand and water is introduced into a tank (1) partially filled with water, beneath the surface of the water, and the sand grains are deposited by sedimentation at the bottom of the tank at varying distances from the inlet, depending on their weight, such that the coarsest sand fraction will be deposited closest to, and the finest fraction or fines farthest from, the place where the sand/water mixture is introduced into the tank. For the purpose of retaining as much of the fines fraction as possible (i.e., sand grains of between 0.002 and 0.

Abstract: Method of producing silicon carbide and of automatically separating a high grade fraction thereof using magnetic separation techniques. In the method of the invention, a silicon source, a carbon source and a ferromagnetic element source are admixed and the admixture is heated from the center outward to form a cylinder containing silicon carbide with a center to exterior temperature gradient. The ferromagnetic element migrates from the hotter center to the cooler exterior portions of the cylinder. The cylinder is cooled and crushed. The lower grade silicon carbide particles are then separated from the high grade silicon carbide crystals using magnetic separation means.

Abstract: The improved apparatus of the present invention functions to substantially concentrate, separate, and remove floating solid materials from the surface of a volume of liquid. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus functions in two stages. In the first stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solids material and to channel the flow of solids material into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir. In the second stage of the concentrating, separating, removing apparatus of the present invention, an influent flow of solids containing liquid is directed horizontally across and near the surface thereof to accumulate a sludge on the surface of the volume.

Abstract: Selected portions of metal carbide are recovered from scrap material containing pieces of cemented metal carbide having various compositions of metal carbide distributed in a matrix material. The scrap material is treated with a suitable liquid for a sufficient period of time to dissolve the matrix material and form a piece of matrix depleted metal carbide which is introduced as a feed into a ferrofluid material. A magnetic field is passed through the ferrofluid for positioning pieces of metal carbide of the type having a heavier density spaced from pieces of metal carbide of a lighter density. The separated portions of matrix depleted metal carbide are collected to produce metal carbide powder which may be further reprocessed to produce a desired cemented metal carbide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining the fibre length distribution by weight of a pulp and a method and apparatus for determining absolute consistency are disclosed.The fibre length distribution is obtained by dividing the flow of a pulp sample into two separate flows, fractionating each of the flows by a screen into a retained and a through fraction, the screens being of different mesh sizes, measuring the amounts of each of a selected one of said retained or through fractions and determining, based on the cumulative normal distribution relationship of cumulative retained fraction in % of feed to fibre length, the fibre length distribution of the pulp sample.

Abstract: A device for separating and recovering solid particles or granulated matel from a stream of fluid in a state of high purity and with minimal fluid remaining in the recovered solids. The device also provides a calibration or sizing of the recovered solids. More particularly, the device is suitable for recovering sand and gravel from a liquid slurry in dredging operations or the like and comprises a chamber into which the slurry is discharged in the form of two diametrically disposed impinging jets to decrease the kinetic energy of the slurry. The chamber is provided with one or a plurality of outlets disposed in communication with a corresponding number of channels each having a discharge port in the base thereof and a deflector in the discharge port, preferably disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees, for directing the concentrated lower layer of slurry in each channel through the discharge port into a deposition tank.

Abstract: A reclamation system for receiving unused mixed concrete ingredients and the washout water therewith includes an elongated, on grade gravity separation tank having an upper discharge end over an on grade grout receiving area, an inclined belt conveyor which is pivotally mounted for limited rotation on a vertical axis between a first position alongside the tank and said grout receiving area and a second position having its lower end over said area and below said tank discharge end and having its upper discharge end over an aggregate and sand receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in separating clay from coal fines comprising a hopper having a sloped rear wall, a baffle mounted to the hopper and extending downwardly, a conveyor positioned along the rear wall of the hopper, and an overflow port located in the side walls between the baffle and the rear wall of the hopper. In particular embodiments the hopper includes a horizontal baffle extending from the first baffle and positioned below the overflow ports and an apron extending outwardly of the hopper from the rear wall. A method for separating a mixture of clay particles and coal fines is also described herein.

Abstract: A method for fractionating red blood cells by velocity sedimentation to remove those cells approaching lysis while at the same time maintaining the transfusability of the remaining cells.

Abstract: A hydraulic classifier for sand has a vessel of circular cross section about a vertical axis and tapers downward to an aperture in its bottom. A rotor is slowly rotated on a hollow shaft coaxially mounted in the vessel. It includes a hollow member conically tapering from an annular lower orifice upwardly spaced from the bottom aperture toward a smaller upper orifice, a flow tube mounted on the shaft for receiving liquid upwardly discharged from the upper orifice of the hollow member for upward flow, agitating blades projecting radially outward beyond the flow tube above the hollow member, and a nozzle on the shaft below the hollow member for forcing cleaned sand through the bottom aperture of the vessel by means of a flushing medium. A washing nozzle directs a liquid washing medium radially inward toward the conical hollow member intermediate the orifices of the same whereby washing medium is deflected into the flow tube and draws additional liquid from the upper orifice.