US3773176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separating apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract This apparatus for separating a mixture of solid particulate materials of different densities includes an annular vessel with tangentially entering liquid stream injection ports adjacent the bottom of the vessel. The liquid streams entering the vessel under pressure through these ports circulate the mixture and, by reason of different horizontal fluid velocities across the vertical cross-section of the vessel, separate it into fractions according to density. The more dense fraction is removed through the vessel''s bottom, while the less dense fraction is removed throug a weir in the sidewall of the vessel. A throat above the inlet ports reduces the velocity of the upper part of the circulating mixture and improves classification. Additionally, the injection of small high velocity upward streams of liquid through inlet ports in the vessel''s bottom tumbles or jigs the heavy fraction, and releases lighter fractions entrained therewith. Water or so-called heavy media can be used as the separating liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 J Loughner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:37
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B5/00; B03B5/28; B03B5/30; B03B5/36; B03B5/40; B03B5/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for separating a mixture of solid particles into fractions according to density, comprising, an annular vessel defined by bottom, inside and outside walls, means for introducing said mixture into said vessel at the top thereof, a plurality of liquid inlet ports tangentially entering said vessel at spaced locations adjacent said bottom wall, means located above said liquid inlet ports for reducing the velocity of said liquid in an upper portion of said vessel relative to the velocity of said liquid in a lower portion of said vessel, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said vessel through said ports at sufficient velocity to cause said fluid to circulate said mixture around said vessel and for classification to occur in the mixture while so circulating, said vessel having an outlet port at the bottom thereof for discharge of a heavier fraction, and a weir in one wall of said vessel over which a lighter fraction can be withdrawn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for separating a mixture of solid particles into fractions according to density, comprising, an annular vessel defined by bottom, inside and outside walls, means for introducing said mixture into said vessel at the top thereof, a plurality of liquid inlet ports tangentially entering said vessel at spaced locations adjacent said bottom wall, means located above said liquid inlet ports for reducing the velocity of said liquid in an upper portion of said vessel relative to the velocity of said liquid in a lower portion of said vessel, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said vessel through said ports at sufficient velocity to cause said fluid to circulate said mixture around said vessel and for classification to occur in the mixture while so circulating, said vessel having an outlet port at the bottom thereof for discharge of a heavier fraction, and a weir in one wall of said vessel over which a lighter fraction can be withdrawn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for reducing comprises a set-back in at least one of the sidewalls such that said vessel has a greater width above said set-back than it does below the set-back, the set-back thereby defining an upper zone and a lower zone of different annular widths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for reducing comprises a restrictor on at least one of the sidewalls above said ports, said restrictor defining a horizontal throat area which is relatively narrow in annular width as compared to the zones above and below it, said restrictor reducing the velocity of particle movement in the upper zone in relation to that in the lower zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said restrictor is a flange extending circumferentially within said vessel around at least one of the sidewalls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls are substantially vertical, and said vessel is U-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a plurality of secondary fluid ports entering said vessel at spaced positions through the bottom wall thereof, for directing fluid under pressure into said vessel upwardly at an angle to the direction of circulation therein, and means for injecting fluid through said secondary ports at a velocity sufficient to open clumps of heavier fraction material passing thereover and to release lighter fraction materials entrained in such clumps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a supply manifold surrounds the outside wall of said vessel adjacent the top thereof, and wherein a plurality of inlet tubes extend angularly downwardly between said manifold and said ports to convey fluid from said supply manifold to said ports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein a liquid inlet port enters said vessel through the outside wall thereof adjacent the bottom wall, at such point that liquid being injected through it impinges on mixture introduced into said vessel directly above it.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for varying the rate of discharge of said heavier fraction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said weir is formed in the inside wall of said vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ports enter said vessel through the outer sidewall thereof, closely adjacent the bottom.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of separating a mixture of solid materials of different densities into a more dense fraction and a less dense fraction, said method comprising the steps of, feeding said mixture from above into a liquid which is circulating in an annular vessel, simultaneously tangentially injecting multiple streams of said liquid into said vessel at a lower portion thereof so as to circulate said mixture around said vessel, reducing the velocity of circulation in an upper zone in comparison to the velocity in a zone adjacent the bottom of said vessel sufficiently to cause less dense materials to concentrate adjacent the top of the vessel and more dense materials to concentrate adjacent the bottom of said vessel, removing a less dense fraction adjacent the top of said vessel, and removing of a more dense material from a lower zone of said vessel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of separating a mixture of solid materials of different densities into a more dense fraction and a less dense fraction, said method comprising the steps of, feeding said mixture from above into a liquid which is circulating in an annular vessel, simultaneously tangentially injecting multiple streams of said liquid into said vessel at a lower portion thereof so as to circulate said mixture around said vessel, reducing the velocity of circulation in an upper zone in comparison to the velocity in a zone adjacent the bottom of said vessel sufficiently to cause less dense materials to concentrate adjacent the top of the vessel and more dense materials to concentrate adjacent the bottom of said vessel, removing a less dense fraction adjacent the top of said vessel, and removing of a more dense material from a lower zone of said vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said liquid consists of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said mixture is a mixture of coal and rock.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said mixture is refuse coal and rock.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the velocity of particles in the top zone is about 3 to 5 feet per second.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the velocity of particles in the lower zone is 5 to 7 feet per second.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 which further includes injecting streams of liquid upwardly through the bottom of said vessel at velocities sufficient to release light particles entrained in clumps of heavy particles passing thereover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |