Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for improving flotation separation

US5240621A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
5References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 1991
Grant dateAug 31, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 29, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W30/64
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of separating an aqueous solids containing suspension includes (a) subjecting a first solids containing suspension to centrifugal forces so as to separate the suspension into a first gas containing flow, a second gas-free flow and a third flow; (b) feeding the third flow into a flotation cell having a bottom; (c) introducing air at the bottom of the flotation cell into the third flow for separating from the third flow a fourth partial flow; (d) withdrawing the air containing third flow after the separation of the fourth partial flow from the flotation cell; and (e) subjecting the third flow to the centrifugal forces of step (a). An apparatus for the separation of gas and lightweight material from a gas and lightweight material containing aqueous solids suspension is also described and includes a centrifugal pump for separating the gas and lightweight material from the solids suspension with a suspension inlet and an outlet for the lightweight material; a flotation cell for separating the lightweight material from a solids suspension; and a circulation loop connecting the outlet of the centrifugal pump, the flotation cell and the suspension inlet of the pump.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.