Abstract: Methods of use of a portable mining apparatus in qualifying a mining site are disclosed. One method includes positioning a portable mining apparatus at a mining site, and providing raw mining material to the portable mining apparatus. The portable mining apparatus is configured to extract a classified material from the raw mining material. The method includes, based on success in extracting classified material, evaluating the feasibility of the mining site.

Abstract: A device for the selective granulometric separation of solid powdery materials using centrifugal action, capable of separating materials into a fine material fraction and a coarse material fraction, includes: a housing, a cylindrical rotor rotatable, relative to the housing, about a vertical axis inside the housing and provided with blades evenly distributed on the periphery of an upper outlet opening through which a stream of gas, laden with particles having a size lower than a predetermined particle size, is drawn, a set of vertical adjustable vanes evenly distributed about the rotor along the generatrices of a virtual cylinder and directing the gas stream towards the rotor, elements for feeding the particles between the vanes and the rotor, collecting unit lower than the rotor for collecting the unfed particles having fallen and having a size larger than the predetermined particle size.

Abstract: Various traveling wave grid configurations are disclosed. The grids and systems are well suited for transporting, separating, and classifying small particles dispersed in liquid or gaseous media. Also disclosed are various separation strategies and purification cells utilizing such traveling wave arrays and strategies.

Abstract: The log washer with staggered paddles is a device for washing and separating aggregates, such as sand, gravel, ores, etc., from waste material. The log washer has a water tank or trough having one end inclined or raised relative to horizontal. A pair of shafts are mounted for rotation in bearings in the end walls of the tank, and connected to a driver by appropriate gearing so that the shafts rotate in opposite directions. Each shaft has a plurality of paddles mounted thereon, each paddle being mounted at an angle to the shaft to raise washed aggregates up the inclined trough to a discharge hopper or conveyor belt. Further, the paddles on each shaft are grouped in sections, the radial angle formed by adjacent sections with the shaft being staggered, the paddles on adjacent shafts being offset so that the aggregate material is ground between the paddles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing lightweight particulates during processing of a primary material. The apparatus includes a classification tank having an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of settling stations located therebetween. A slurry of fluid and particles is introduced into the inlet and directed towards the outlet. As the slurry traverses along the classification tank, particles come out of suspension at the settling stations according to weight and to a lesser degree, density. The composition as well as the quantity of particles at the settling stations is periodically inspected. If particles deposited at a particular settling station are more or less the same size, and if they have accumulated in sufficient quantity, they are discharged to a flume which directs them to preselected collection areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, so that each can be used or further processed as desired, thereby addressing the environmental and economic issues associated with disposing of waste egg shells. The membrane and shell are separated by first processing waste egg shells so as to yield small waste egg shell particles. During this processing, the waste egg shell particles are at least slightly abraded, whereby the linking structure between the membrane and shell is at least partially disrupted. Thereafter, the waste egg shell particles are conveyed to a tank containing, preferably, water, and allowed to settle therethrough. As the waste egg shell particles settle, the particles experience turbulent forces in the liquid which cause the membrane and shell portions to fully separate. Since the membrane particles are very light, they tend to remain entrained in the liquid, where they are, for example, siphoned off and dewatered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of manure (104) and sand (102) in a sand and manure mixture (100) is described. The apparatus (10) of the first embodiment includes a tank (12) with an upper grate (22), a lower grate (20), an air supply tube (30) and a water supply tube (36). The apparatus (210) of the second embodiment includes a tank (212) having a screened grate (220), an air supply tube (230) and a water supply tube (236). The apparatus (310) of the third embodiment includes a tank (312) having an upper portion (312C) and a conical lower portion (312D) with a grate (320) between the two portions. In operation, all three embodiments essentially operate similarly. The chamber (12F, 212F and 312F) of the tank is filled with water. The mixture is then dumped into the chamber to form the aqueous suspension (106) with the water.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a funnel, connected to a section of clear hose. The clear hose has installed in line, 3 valves, for regulating water flow to the funnel for the process of separating gold from gold bearing soil.

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: An apparatus for separating coarse particles from a fluid or wet stream, optionally containing fine particles, includes a frame, a screen box, means attached to the frame and to the screen box for movably suspending the screen box on the frame for vibratory motion, a pair of opposing screens which are mounted in the screen box and which allow liquids and fine particles to pass through to the bottom of the screen box to separate discharge openings associated with each screen and allows coarse particles to pass over each screen and onto a single centrally positioned discharge chute, and motor means attached to the screen box for vibrating the screen box and screens mounted thereto. The apparatus can be used for such separation operations as dewatering, desliming and wet scalping, and is especially useful for applications wherein the oversize or coarse particles constitute a major portion of the total feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating mineral-bearing ores and, more particularly, for treating particulate ores containing precious metals, base metals and the like for separating and recovering said values by classifying the particulate ore on a bed of particulate material, preferably coarse particulate material, 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: 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: An apparatus is disclosed for gravity separation of comminuted solid particles. It has a transparent pipe (18) through which water flows upwards at a controlled velocity to float grains of a given size and specific gravity but to maintain lighter particles in a funnel on top of the pipe. The pipe is enclosed in a housing in which a water level can be raised or lowered to coincide with a mark on a scale indicative of the instant lowermost gravity of particles passing downwards through the pipe (18). The device is of a simple structure and provides the possibility of the readout of the specific weight of the accepted particles.

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.