Patent · US Active

Clarification of suspensions

US9101942B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
54References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 16, 2009
Grant dateAug 11, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W10/37
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A clarification system may comprise a channel having an inlet and an outlet, a length, bottom, and a height sufficient to contain a liquid having a depth. The clarification system may include one or more gas injectors disposed within the channel, configured to inject gas bubbles into a suspension flowing in the channel. In some embodiments, at least one gas injector injects gas bubbles having average or median size that does not exceed 100 microns in diameter. Some gas injectors inject bubbles having mean size below 50 microns. Some gas injectors inject gas via the precipitation of gas bubbles from a supersaturated liquid including a dissolved gas. Certain embodiments may be configured to form a quiet zone, typically near the top of the flowing suspension, in which turbulence may be minimized or substantially eliminated. Certain systems include a plurality of gas injectors disposed at different lengths along the channel.

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