Gas assisted flotation apparatus

Claim 1

Gas assisted flotation apparatus adapted for separating solids from liquids in a slurry comprising a main chamber, said main chamber having a lower entry channel through which said slurry may enter said main chamber and having an upper portion tapered at an inside angle of about 45°-75° from the horizontal plane to an apex opening adapted to consolidate solids particles floated to the top portion of said apex opening by gas bubbles attached to said solids particles, said gas assisted flotation apparatus having a fluid discharge line extending outward from said main chamber whereby separated fluids may be removed from said main chamber, said fluid discharge line having a valve included in said fluid discharge line adapted to open and close said fluid discharge line in order to control the level of slurry in said main chamber, wherein said fluid discharge line is in fluid communication with a level control pipe wherein the levels of slurry, fluid and solids will be the same as in said main chamber in order to facilitate the control of said valve in said fluid discharge line and wherein said lower entry channel includes means for injecting a gas into said slurry under sufficient pressure to induce the formation of gas bubbles which tend to attach to said solids particles and a pressure relief valve whereby the pressure on the gas-containing slurry is reduced to a lower pressure sufficient only to keep said slurry moving.