Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for producing high density slurry and paste backfills

US6168352A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
25References
47Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 1998
Grant dateJan 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB28C9/004
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for producing high density slurry and paste backfills for use, for example, in mining operations. The high density slurry or paste is produced from a mill tailings mixture in a silo which includes a percolation and decant apparatuses for percolating water out of the mill tailings mixture and for decanting clarified water from atop the settled tailings. While settling occurs, air is introduced from the bottom of the silo to agitate the mixture to ensure substantially homogeneous settlement of the solids. Once settled, the resultant high density slurry or paste is fluidized by air in order to give the paste more readily flowable characteristics.

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