US4366065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separating particles from a liquid
Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
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Filing: 1981-11-20
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Granted: 1982-12-28
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Expires: 2001-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for separating particles suspended in a liquid from the liquid. A flow of the liquid is passed through a filter bed of ferromagnetic bodies which acts as a coarse filter to trap the larger particles in the flow. The filter bed is arranged within a truncated cone between the poles of an electromagnet. To cleanse the bed and flush out the trapped particles a wash liquid is passed through the bed and the electromagnet is energized to levitate the bed to thereby allow the wash liquid to remove the particles. The liquid flow from the coarse filter can be passed to a high gradient magnetic separator at which remaining small particles in the flow are filtered magnetically.
Inventors
- 👤 Colin M. Leslie
- 👤 James H. P. Watson
- 👤 John A. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:21
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D35/00; B01D35/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of separating particles suspended in a liquid which comprises locating electromagnet means outside a chamber containing a filter bed of individual bodies, fixedly positioning the electromagnet means relative to the bed with the bed arranged in the pole gap of the magnet and the magnet extending upwardly beyond the bed such that the magnet surrounds the bed and is offset axially relative to the bed so as to levitate the bodies upon energization of the fixedly positioned electromagnet means, passing a flow of liquid containing suspended particles through the bed with the electromagnet means de-energized so as to trap the particles in the bed, discontinuing the liquid flow, levitating the bed by energizing said fixedly positioned electromagnet means and passing a wash liquid through the levitated bed to flush trapped particles out of the bed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of separating particles suspended in a liquid which comprises locating electromagnet means outside a chamber containing a filter bed of individual bodies, fixedly positioning the electromagnet means relative to the bed with the bed arranged in the pole gap of the magnet and the magnet extending upwardly beyond the bed such that the magnet surrounds the bed and is offset axially relative to the bed so as to levitate the bodies upon energization of the fixedly positioned electromagnet means, passing a flow of liquid containing suspended particles through the bed with the electromagnet means de-energized so as to trap the particles in the bed, discontinuing the liquid flow, levitating the bed by energizing said fixedly positioned electromagnet means and passing a wash liquid through the levitated bed to flush trapped particles out of the bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for separating particles suspended in a liquid, comprising a chamber, a filter bed of individual bodies within the chamber, said bodies being capable of being levitated by electromagnetic means, a first flow path for passing the liquid containing the suspended particles through the chamber to trap the particles in the bed, a second flow path for passing a washing liquid through the chamber, fixedly positioned electromagnet means disposed outside the chamber and positioned relative to the bed with the bed arranged in the pole gap of the magnet and the magnet extending upwardly beyond the bed such that the magnet surrounds the bed and is offset axially relative to the bed such as to levitate the individual bodies within the chamber upon energization of the fixedly positioned electromagnet means during flow of washing liquid through the chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for separating particles suspended in a liquid, comprising a chamber, a filter bed of individual bodies within the chamber, said bodies being capable of being levitated by electromagnetic means, a first flow path for passing the liquid containing the suspended particles through the chamber to trap the particles in the bed, a second flow path for passing a washing liquid through the chamber, fixedly positioned electromagnet means disposed outside the chamber and positioned relative to the bed with the bed arranged in the pole gap of the magnet and the magnet extending upwardly beyond the bed such that the magnet surrounds the bed and is offset axially relative to the bed such as to levitate the individual bodies within the chamber upon energization of the fixedly positioned electromagnet means during flow of washing liquid through the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the chamber comprises an upright truncated cone and the filter bed is supported on a screen at the base of the conical chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the bed comprises ferromagnetic bodies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which a protective anti-corrosion coating is applied to the ferromagnetic bodies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first flow path includes a high gradient magnetic separator downstream from the chamber.
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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) | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | 1986-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-27 | 1990-06-28 | 1990-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-27 | 1994-06-28 | 1994-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |