Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for the continuous preparation of an aqueous solution of slaked lime in a vessel, having a lower zone of an inverted truncated cone, and an upper cylindrical zone, said method comprising accumulating provisionally a layer of slaked lime solids on a closed bottom of said vessel; supplying fresh water from outside continuously at a constant feed rate in close proximity to and above said closed bottom wherein the average ascending water velocity measured at the top end of the vessel is less than 1 mm/sec.; agitating mechanically the solids and the fresh water at a same level or slightly higher than said closed bottom with a mechanical agitation means comprising a rotary agitator having a peripheral rotational speed maintained less than 1 meter per second; causing a slurry in the lower zone to move upwardly in hindered flow, without particulate entrainment in the upper zone, the hindered flow being produced by baffle means within the lower zone; and continuously removing from the top of said vessel a substantially clear and saturated aqueous solution of slaked lime by flowing the saturated calcium hydroxide solution to a weir located on the top of the upper zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for the continuous preparation of an aqueous solution of slaked lime in a vessel, having a lower zone of an inverted truncated cone, and an upper cylindrical zone, said method comprising accumulating provisionally a layer of slaked lime solids on a closed bottom of said vessel; supplying fresh water from outside continuously at a constant feed rate in close proximity to and above said closed bottom wherein the average ascending water velocity measured at the top end of the vessel is less than 1 mm/sec.; agitating mechanically the solids and the fresh water at a same level or slightly higher than said closed bottom with a mechanical agitation means comprising a rotary agitator having a peripheral rotational speed maintained less than 1 meter per second; causing a slurry in the lower zone to move upwardly in hindered flow, without particulate entrainment in the upper zone, the hindered flow being produced by baffle means within the lower zone; and continuously removing from the top of said vessel a substantially clear and saturated aqueous solution of slaked lime by flowing the saturated calcium hydroxide solution to a weir located on the top of the upper zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral rotational speed is maintained less than 0.5 meter per second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the fresh water is fed into the lower zone in a downward direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the circumferential edge of the top of the cylindrical zone comprises a plurality of notches.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for the continuous preparation of an aqueous solution of slaked lime in first and second vessels connected in series, each having a lower zone of an inverted truncated cone, and an upper cylindrical zone, said method comprising accumulating provisionally a layer of slaked lime solids on a closed bottom of said first vessel; supplying fresh water from outside continuously at a constant feed rate in close proximity to and above said closed bottom of said first vessel wherein the average ascending water velocity measured at the top end of the vessel is less than 1 mm/sec.; agitating mechanically or fluidically the solids and the fresh water at a same level or slightly higher than said closed bottom of said first vessel; continuously removing from the top of said first vessel by flowing the saturated calcium hydroxide solution to a weir located on the top of the upper zone of said first vessel; feeding the calcium hydroxide solution removed from the first vessel to the bottom of the lower zone of the second vessel; and removing a substantially saturated clear calcium hydroxide solution from the upper zone of the second vessel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for the continuous preparation of an aqueous solution of slaked lime in first and second vessels connected in series, each having a lower zone of an inverted truncated cone, and an upper cylindrical zone, said method comprising accumulating provisionally a layer of slaked lime solids on a closed bottom of said first vessel; supplying fresh water from outside continuously at a constant feed rate in close proximity to and above said closed bottom of said first vessel wherein the average ascending water velocity measured at the top end of the vessel is less than 1 mm/sec.; agitating mechanically or fluidically the solids and the fresh water at a same level or slightly higher than said closed bottom of said first vessel; continuously removing from the top of said first vessel by flowing the saturated calcium hydroxide solution to a weir located on the top of the upper zone of said first vessel; feeding the calcium hydroxide solution removed from the first vessel to the bottom of the lower zone of the second vessel; and removing a substantially saturated clear calcium hydroxide solution from the upper zone of the second vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 5, wherein two vessels are used alternatingly.