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US3632335A
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US
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Separation of molten materials
Assignee: Conzinc Riotinto of Australia Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-03-24
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1989-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for separating materials and apparatus for carrying out the method are disclosed which includes introducing a plurality of materials into a medial mixing zone of a horizontal launderlike furnace, maintaining the materials in a molten state and introducing into the molten materials an extractant which forms an extract with one of the molten materials. The extract having a different specific gravity from the remaining material effects formation of heavier and lighter phases which are caused to flow countercurrent to each other, the heavier phase being withdrawn from one end of the furnace and the lighter phase being withdrawn from another end of the furnace.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Knox Worner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:56
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B13/00; C22B13/06; C22B9/00; C22B9/02; E; E02; E02D; E02D29/00; E02D29/12; E02D29/14; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the material to be extracted is missible with the remaining material at elevated temperatures and has a preferential solubility in or affinity for the extractant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the medial mixing zone is substantially circular and including the step of introducing the materials to be separated into the mixing zone substantially tangential to the mixing zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the furnace includes a main furnace chamber and at least one auxiliary chamber near the ends of the furnace and including the steps of passing one of these phases through the auxiliary chamber before being withdrawn from the furnace and returning a material separated from said one of these phases to the main furnace chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the solubility of the remaining material in the extractant is less than 1 percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the extractant is introduced into the furnace between the point of entry of the materials and the point of withdrawal of the remaining material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the extractant is introduced into the furnace near to the point of withdrawal of the remaining material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the temperature of the molten materials decreases progressively towards each end of the furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the temperature of the molten materials decreases progressively towards one end of the furnace and increases progressively towards the other end of the furnace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the separated materials pass through auxiliary chambers near to the ends of the furnace before being withdrawn.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
Apparatus for separating molten materials comprising a substantially horizontal elongated launderlike furnace having a shallow end and a deeper end, a medial mixing zone, a hearth sloping generally downwardly from the shallow end to the mixing zone and from the mixing zone to the deeper end, an elongated first settling zone between the mixing zone and the shallow end and an elongated second settling zone between the mixing zone and the deeper end, means for introducing the materials to be separated into the mixing zone, means for introducing into the furnace an extractant which has a preferential solubility in or affinity for one of the molten materials and which forms an extract therewith, means for effecting mixing of the extractant with the molten materials, the extract having a specific gravity which is different from the specific gravity of the remaining material resulting in the formation of a heavier phase and a lighter phase, means for effecting heavier phase and the lighter phase to flow countercurrent to one another and at different levels, means for withdrawing the extract form near one end of the furnace and means for withdrawing the remaining material from near the other end of the furnace.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the means for introducing the extractant into the furnace is located between the means for introducing the materials to be separated and the means for withdrawing the remaining material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the means for introducing the extractant into the furnace is located near the means for withdrawing the remaining material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including a baffle near the deeper end to prevent the outflow of the lighter phase at the deeper end and to cause the lighter phase to flow toward the shallow end countercurrent to the flow of the heavier phase.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the means for introducing the extractant into the furnace is located near the deeper end of the furnace.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 and having an auxiliary chamber at at least one end of the furnace, means communicating between the furnace chamber and the auxiliary chamber, and means for introducing material into the auxiliary chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the medial mixing zone is substantially circular in plan and the materials to be separated are introduced substantially tangentially into the said mixing zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 and having an auxiliary chamber at the deeper end of the furnace, and means communicating between the furnace chamber and the said auxiliary chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 and having an auxiliary chamber at the shallow end of the furnace, and means communicating between the furnace chamber and the said auxiliary chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 and having means for returning to the furnace chamber material which separates from the material flowing through the auxiliary chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 and having means for returning to the furnace chamber material which separates from the material flowing through the auxiliary chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the slope of the furnace hearth is between 3* and 30*.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the slope of the furnace hearth is between 5* and 15*.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the section of the furnace hearth beneath the medial mixing zone is substantially horizontal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |