US4282434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation measurements on mineral slurries
Assignee: University of Queensland
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Filing: 1978-11-28
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 1998-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of radiation measurements on slurries where the slurry is pumped to a pressure where the volume of gases in the form of gas-bubbles is reduced below a level where the gases effect the radiation counts. The slurry pressure is raised to a pressure in the range of 100 p.s.i. to 500 p.s.i. (690 kPa to 3.5 Mpa) absolute using a positive displacement pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey J. Lyman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06; G01N23/12; G01N9/00; G01N9/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of radiation measurements on continuously moving slurries including the steps of: (a) raising the pressure of the moving slurry to reduce the volume of gas present as bubbles therein below a predetermined value; (b) continuously moving the slurry under pressure through a measurement zone; and (c) measuring the radiation characteristics of the slurry.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of radiation measurements on continuously moving slurries including the steps of: (a) raising the pressure of the moving slurry to reduce the volume of gas present as bubbles therein below a predetermined value; (b) continuously moving the slurry under pressure through a measurement zone; and (c) measuring the radiation characteristics of the slurry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the slurry is raised to a pressure in step (a) in the range of 100 p.s.i. (690 kPa) to 500 p.s.i. (3.5 MPa) absolute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the slurry is raised to a pressure of substantially 300 p.s.i. (2 MPa) absolute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the volume of gas present in the slurry in the form of bubbles is less than 0.4% by volume of the slurry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the volume of gas is less than 0.1% by volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the slurry is raised to a pressure in step (a) of substantially 300 P.S.I. (2 MPa) absolute.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 6 and further including the step of: (d) passing the moving slurry through a pressure-control valve downstream of said measurement zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A gauge for radiation measurements on continuously moving slurries including: pumping means for moving said slurry and for raising the pressure of the slurry to reduce the volume of the gas bubbles therein; means for regulating the pressure of said slurry; and means for measuring the radiation characteristics of said slurry located a selected distance from said pumping means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A gauge for radiation measurements on continuously moving slurries including: pumping means for moving said slurry and for raising the pressure of the slurry to reduce the volume of the gas bubbles therein; means for regulating the pressure of said slurry; and means for measuring the radiation characteristics of said slurry located a selected distance from said pumping means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A gauge as claimed in claim 8 wherein: the pumping means include a positive-displacement pump having a maximum outlet pressure of 500 p.s.i. (3.5 MPa) absolute.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gauge as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein: the distance between the pumping means and the measuring means is selected to allow the gas bubbles to dissolve into the slurry.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gauge as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein: the pressure regulating means is a throttling pressure control valve downstream of the measuring means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gauge as claimed in claim 11 wherein the pressure-control valve includes: a section of hydraulic hose compressed laterally in a press to regulate the pressure drop in the hose.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gauge as claimed in any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein said measuring means includes: at least one section of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) thermoplastic piping having at least one "S-bend" section; and means for irradiating said slurry, the radiation being transmitted along the axis of the piping.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gauge as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said pressure regulating means is a section of hydraulic hose compressed laterally in a press to regulate the pressure drop in the hose; and said selected distance between said pumping means and said measuring means is selected to allow the gas bubbles to dissolve into the slurry.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3518167A
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Cited
US4134294A
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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) | 1984-08-03 | 1985-02-02 | 1985-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-02-02 | 1989-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-03 | 1993-02-02 | 1993-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |