US4411530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for rapid beneficiation of Bentonite clay
Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
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Filing: 1982-01-13
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Granted: 1983-10-25
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Expires: 2002-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay is disclosed. Beneficiation of the bentonite clay occurs through oxidation of structural ferrous iron. For rapid beneficiation, bentonite clay, preferably ground, is subjected to moist air while the clay is being agitated, preferably by tumbling within a rotating drum, to provide rapid exchange of moisture and oxygen in the air with the bentonite clay aggregates to thereby increase the speed of oxidation of ferrous iron in the bentonite clay. Drying of the thus treated bentonite clay may be then achieved by agitating the clay, again preferably by tumbling within a rotating drum, in the presence of dry air.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip F. Low
- 👤 Charles B. Roth
- 👤 Joseph W. Stucki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:03
CPC Classifications
B; B28; B28C; B28C1/00; B28C1/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said method comprising subjecting bentonite clay to moist air while said bentonite clay is being agitated to increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in sand bentonite clay.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said method comprising subjecting bentonite clay to moist air while said bentonite clay is being agitated to increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in sand bentonite clay.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said bentonite clay is ground prior to subjecting said bentonite clay to moist air.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method includes heating said moist air prior to subjecting said bentonite clay to said air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method includes agitating said bentonite clay by introducing said bentonite clay into a mixing drum where said bentonite clay is subjected to said moist air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said method includes drying said bentonite clay after subjecting said bentonite clay to moist air.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said method comprising: providing bentonite clay in a ground state; agitating said ground bentonite clay; and subjecting said bentonite clay to moist air while said clay is being agitated to increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said method comprising: providing bentonite clay in a ground state; agitating said ground bentonite clay; and subjecting said bentonite clay to moist air while said clay is being agitated to increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said method includes providing a rotating drum, introducing said ground bentonite clay into said drum whereby said bentonite clay is agitated by tumbling while in said drum, and introducing moist air into said rotating drum while said bentonite clay is being tumbled therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein sad method includes heating said moist air prior to introduction of said moist air into said rotating drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said method includes providing a second rotating drum, providing a source of dry air, introducing said dry air into said rotating drum, and introducing said bentonite clay into said second drum after said bentonite clay has been subjected to said moist air.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said system comprising: mixing means; means for introducing bentonite clay into said mixing means so that said bentonite clay is agitated while in said mixing means; and means for introducing moist air into said mixing means whereby said agitated bentonite clay is rapidly beneficiated while in said mixing means by increasing the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A system for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said system comprising: mixing means; means for introducing bentonite clay into said mixing means so that said bentonite clay is agitated while in said mixing means; and means for introducing moist air into said mixing means whereby said agitated bentonite clay is rapidly beneficiated while in said mixing means by increasing the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said mixing means is a rotating drum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said system includes heating means connected with said moist air introducing means for heating said moist air prior to introduction into said mixing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said system includes drying means connected with said mixing means for receiving said bentonite clay therefrom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said drying means is a second rotating drum.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said system comprising: a first rotating drum; a means for supplying ground bentonite clay to said first rotating drum; means for supplying moist air to said first rotating drum to thereby increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay; means for heating said moist air prior to introduction into said first rotating drum; a second rotating drum; means for supplying dry air to said second rotating drum; and means for transferring said bentonite clay from said first rotating drum to said second rotating drum.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for rapid beneficiation of bentonite clay, said system comprising: a first rotating drum; a means for supplying ground bentonite clay to said first rotating drum; means for supplying moist air to said first rotating drum to thereby increase the rate of oxidation of ferrous iron in said bentonite clay; means for heating said moist air prior to introduction into said first rotating drum; a second rotating drum; means for supplying dry air to said second rotating drum; and means for transferring said bentonite clay from said first rotating drum to said second rotating drum.
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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) | 1986-10-24 | 1987-04-25 | 1987-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-24 | 1991-04-25 | 1991-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-24 | 1995-04-25 | 1995-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |