Abstract: The modular portable sluice box is constructed from a plurality of smaller sluice box modules. Each of the sluice box modules includes a lower wall having a pair of longitudinally opposed ends and a pair of laterally opposed ends. A plurality of riffles are formed on an upper surface of the lower wall. A pair of sidewalls are secured to the pair of laterally opposed ends of the lower wall, respectively, and project upward therefrom. One of the sluice box modules may be releasably connected to both a longitudinally adjacent sluice box module, and also to a laterally adjacent sluice box module.

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: Method and apparatus for separating granules of different sizes from a granular mixture, by combination of vertical size separation under vibration and horizontal flow. A horizontal base plate with an asymmetric saw-tooth upper profile is provided and a mixture of granules is fed onto the base plate. The base plate is then vertically vibrated, so as to separate the mixture into superimposed, partial layers of granules of different sizes, while horizontally advancing the same in opposite directions and separately collecting these layers.

Abstract: A mining system and method for recovering gold and/or other heavy metals at multiple sites along a continuously hydrated ore processing route. The gold-bearing ore and primary or carrier water are dynamically and circuitously displaced to segregate the gold, and precipitate the gold particles into predetermined recovery sites along the flow path of the mix. The master stream of gold-sized ore-primary water mix is subdivided into several separate streams or substreams. The substreams are violent in nature, with one exception, and are typically contained in man-made canal-forming troughs having multiple recovery sites. Recovery sites comprise one or more drop slots. A downward draw caused by flow of secondary water in a conduit located below each slot enhances recovery. Each trough includes a dynamic segregation box having successive compartments across which a top layer of turbulent flow continuously occurs.

Abstract: A bed height of a fluidized bed is detected which influences reaction of a fluidized-bed equipment. In the fluidized-bed equipment in which a fluidized particle is put into the vessel, physical properties at a plurality of points within the vessel are measured in a height direction thereof. An interior of the vessel is divided into upper and lower two regions. Physical property distribution curves of the respective regions are found, to find an intersection between the two curves as a bed height. Thus, it is possible to find the bed height of the fluidized bed which influences the reaction of the fluidized-bed equipment. An operating quantity which influences the reaction can be adjusted or regulated accurately.

Abstract: A mining system and related methods for recovering gold and/or other heavy metals at multiple sites along a continuously hydrated ore processing route. The gold-bearing ore and primary or carrier water are dynamically and circuitously displaced to segregate the gold, and precipitate the gold particles into predetermined recovery sites along the flow path of the mix. Boil box recovery sites are selectively provided for recovery of nuggets and smaller gold particles. Secondary water churns and disrupts the primary carrier flow of the mix through each boil box. The master stream of gold-sized ore-primary water mix is subdivided into several separate streams or substreams. The sub streams are violent in nature, with one exception, and are typically contained in man-made canal-forming troughs or multiple recovery sites. Recovery sites have one or more drop slots. A downward draw caused by flow of secondary water in a conduit located below each slot enhances recovery.

Abstract: A device for separating lighter insulation material from heavier metallic material present in decomposed electric cables or the like, which device comprises an inlet (8) for mixed insulation and metallic material, and a first outlet for the insulation material and a second outlet for the metallic material, separate from the first outlet. The device further comprises a track (40) inclined relative to the horizontal plane, to which the mixed material is delivered from the inlet and which is profiled such that when a reciprocating movement is imparted thereto essentially in the plane of the track, the metal material is transported towards the upper end of the track where it is fed out through the second outlet while the insulation material is transported towards the lower end of the track where it is fed out through the first outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for removing unwanted foreign material from particulate material. The apparatus and process find particular application in the pulp and paper industry to remove contaminating plastic material from wood chips. The apparatus includes a transporting conveyor for moving the particulate material between a inlet area and an outlet area and a vibrating motor for vibrating the conveyor to sort the particulate material and the foreign material. Heated rollers heated to a temperature sufficient to render the foreign material tacky are applied to the sorted material and cause the foreign material to adhere thereto such that the foreign material is extracted from the particulate material which is delivered to the outlet area.

Abstract: A concentrator comprises a beneficiating member (1) in the form of a bowl with a tapered bottom (2) a concavity of which is provided with a discharge hole (13), and a drive mechanism (5) a hollow drive shaft (8) of which accommodates eccentrically a shaft (10) carrying the beneficiating member (1) executing a circular movement about a radius equal to the eccentricity. In cross section the bowl is elliptical and is connected to a base (3) by flexible elements (12), whereas the concavity of the tapered bottom (2) is offset relative to its shaft (10). A tray (14) for finally concentrating the material is provided under the discharge hole (13).

Abstract: What is disclosed is method and apparatus for alleviating the problem with cleaning of sluice boxes. The invention is characterized by continuous cleaning of an endless belt onto which the heavy metal concentrate is projected by a conventional sluice boxes, shaker screens and the like, and eliminating the down time of the apparatus for cleaning, as in the prior art. This down time is approximately fifty percent of the time.

Abstract: A device for separating a heterogeneous mass of solid material into fractions. The constituents of a heterogeneous mass of solid material are comminuted and dried and then separated into fractions. The mass is received in a trough-shaped and subjected to vibration causing high density constituents to segregate downwards and low density constituents to segregate upwards, so that the fractions may be removed at different layer levels.

Abstract: Portable sluice equipment is provided for miners backpacking into back country to separate out valuable metals from placer deposits. All major components are made from commercially available PVC plastic conduits and fittings. The principal component is a sluice trough manufactured by first longitudinally cutting a plastic pipe in half, and then cutting spaced transverse back angled radial flow channel grooves throughout the sluice trough to initially receive the concentration of heavy metals. Also longitudinal grooves are cut throughout the length of the sluice trough near the respective top edges. Then when periodically, the main flow of sluicing water is stopped, the sluice trough is rotated about its longitudinal axis, and a minimal flow of water is directed transversely to flush the heavy metals from the transverse back angled radial flow channel grooves into the longitudinal groove.

Abstract: A rectangularly shaped separating element for a vibratory grain separator is made from a single metal plate, and has upright front and rear walls, and side walls, one of which side walls has therein a notch serving as hulled rice outlet, and the other of which has therein a notch servicing as an unhulled rice outlet. The plane, upper surface of the separating element has formed thereon a first plurality of spaced protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the sidewall containing the rice outlet for moving the hulled rice toward the hulled rice outlet, and a second plurality of protuberances inclined obliquely to the front wall and the other side wall for moving the unhulled rice toward the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a rectangular separating plate having upright front and rear walls and unhulled and hulled rice outlets formed on opposite sides thereof, respectively. The plate is adjustably supported in a plane inclined to the horizontal and is reciprocated in a direction transversely of the front and rear walls. Substantially two thirds of the surface of the plate adjacent its front wall is formed with first inclined projections inclined toward the hulled rice outlet, and one third thereof adjacent its rear wall is formed with second inclined projections inclined toward the unhulled rice outlet. Reciprocation of the plate causes the first projections to guide hulled rice toward the front wall and ultimately to the hulled rice outlet, and the second projections guide unhulled rice toward the rear wall and ultimately to the unhulled rice outlet.

Abstract: A roll-up fold-up sluice apparatus for use in separating sediment by water flow. The apparatus includes an elongate flexible mat having formed, in a central portion therein, a plurality of longitudinally spaced riffles which extend laterally with respect to the mat's long axis, and which define associated ridges and channels on the mat's upper and lower sides, respectively. The riffles are longitudinally spaced by increasing increments progressing in one longitudinal direction in the mat and are sized and shaped to accommodate a regular ridge-to-channel nesting when the mat is rolled up in that direction. A pair of flaps joined to opposite sides of the mat's central portion can be folded between folded-up positions to form the sides for the apparatus, and folded-down positions to enable rolling up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating waste material contained in a heap in at least one separating zone, the heap largely comprising particles of the same shape, size and density, from which the waste particles differ. It also relates to apparatus for performing the method. The heap is fed onto an inclined conveying surface where it is vibrated and the waste particles are removed upwards and the remaining particles downwards, the vibrations being initiated at an angle to the horizontal which is larger than the inclined position of the conveying surface.

Abstract: A continuous run sluice box having vibrating and sonic vibration means for concentrating gold or other precious metal, while eliminating the loss of black sands normally accompanying the use of conventional sluices. The sluice box is provided with a sonic vibrating means, and it is mounted for rotation about its own peripheral axis. The sluice includes two parallel channels disposed on either side of a main floor, so that the uppermost channel may be in use, while the lowermost channel is cleaned by directing streams of water and sonic vibration against the clogged riffles, thereby eliminating down time normally involved in periodic cleaning.

Abstract: An ore classifier adaptable for separating coal from inter-mixed heavy material and which performs a washing operation for the coal. The classifier has an elongated inclined trough, the floor of which is provided with transverse corrugations constructed to resist the movement of particles down the incline. A pair of side panels are provided in the trough to form elongated passageways along the inside sides of the trough, the lower ends of the passageways being closed. The trough is mounted on a frame and is vibrated as water and coal mixed with other ore is introduced into the trough whereby the coal is washed out of the lower end of the trough and the coarse and fine heavies are forced out of the upper end of the trough and passageways, respectively.

Abstract: A process and apparatus wherein a size-classified bed of particles is fluidized by agitating a supporting surface with a gyratory motion to fluidize the particle bed. Particles are contacted with surfaces, e.g, vertically projecting surfaces, movable with the supporting surface and defining two or more annular regions so as to impart sufficient fluidity to allow the particles to move within the particle bed and distribute themselves according to their relative densities. Particles are then permitted to move through openings between these annular regions whereby the more dense particles tend to accumulate in one of the annular regions and particles of lesser density are displaced into the adjacent annular region(s).Provision is made for continuously extracting from the aggregate particle mass either or both those particles of lesser density and those of greater density whereby a continuous selective separation of particles according to density takes place.

Abstract: A gold sluice includes an elongated semicylindrical trough having angular corrugations therein for imparting a longitudinal turbulent flow to water moving gravitationally therethrough. The longitudinal spiral turbulence of the water promotes separation of heavy particles from a placer material placed at an upstream end of the trough. Gold, being a heavy metal, will settle into the corrugation grooves along the trough. The sluice further includes laterally projecting flanges on opposite longitudinal side edges of the trough for preventing the trough from overturning laterally. The sluice is formed of a single sheet of lightweight material with the semicylindrical trough extending integrally therein and with the corrugations formed integrally within the trough. The corrugations are angularly oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the semicylindrical trough configuration.

Abstract: A dredge unit having a buoyant support carrying a sluice box suspended beneath, a water suction system connected to an outlet end on the box and a suction hose operatively connected to an inlet end thereof. The water suction system operates to draw water and material through the suction hose and into the sluice box where material of relatively high specific gravity is contained while the remainder and the water is discharged from the system.

Abstract: A portable sluice pan is described for panning for gold and other valuable heavy minerals from placer deposits. The pan includes an elongated trough having a feed hopper at one end and a removable flexible riffle mat in the bottom of the trough to cause the placer pulp to flow in a turbulent manner over the riffles to stratify the heavier and lighter materials. The sluice pan is constructed of light weight material such as aluminum and may be hand held during operation.