Flotation separation device and method
US8960443B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB03D1/247
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A flotation separation system is provided for partitioning a slurry that includes a hydrophobic species which can adhere to gas bubbles formed in the slurry. The flotation separation system comprises a flotation separation cell that includes a sparger unit and a separation tank. The sparger unit has a slurry inlet for receiving slurry and a gas inlet to receive gas with at least enough pressure to allow bubbles to form in the slurry within the sparger unit. The sparger unit includes a sparging mechanism constructed to disperse gas bubbles within the slurry. The sparging mechanism sparges the gas bubbles to form a bubble dispersion so as to cause adhesion of the hydrophobic species to the gas bubbles substantially within the sparger unit while causing a pressure drop of about 10 psig or less across the sparging mechanism. The sparger unit includes a slurry outlet to discharge the slurry and the bubble dispersion into the separation tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.