US5299692A — Method and apparatus for reducing carbon content …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 122 words

Method of reducing the carbon content of particulate matter selected from the group consisting of fly ash and wood ash, comprising: a) providing an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) positioning said particulate matter at said distal end; c) subjecting said inclined surface to a first source of vibration to transport said particulate matter from said distal end toward said lower proximal end; d) subjecting said inclined surface to a second source of vibration during said particulate matter transport to separate said particulate matter into a high carbon content fraction and a heavier, enhanced particle fraction; e) removing said high carbon content fraction from said inclined surface; and f) recovering said heavier, enhanced particle fraction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 122 words

Method of reducing the carbon content of particulate matter selected from the group consisting of fly ash and wood ash, comprising: a) providing an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) positioning said particulate matter at said distal end; c) subjecting said inclined surface to a first source of vibration to transport said particulate matter from said distal end toward said lower proximal end; d) subjecting said inclined surface to a second source of vibration during said particulate matter transport to separate said particulate matter into a high carbon content fraction and a heavier, enhanced particle fraction; e) removing said high carbon content fraction from said inclined surface; and f) recovering said heavier, enhanced particle fraction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

Method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step c) comprises vibrating said inclined surface from said first source of vibration at a frequency of 600-1,200 vibrations per minute.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 38 words

Method as recited in claim 2 wherein said step c) comprises subjecting said inclined surface to a plurality of vibratory sources, each located at an angle of from about 30° to 55° with respect to said inclined surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 35 words

Method as recited in claim 3 wherein said step c) comprises subjecting said inclined surface to a plurality of vibratory sources, each located at an angle of about 37° with respect to said inclined surface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

Method as recited in claim 1 further comprising heating said particulate matter.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

Method as recited in claim 5 comprising heating said particulate matter to a temperature between about the dew point to 100° C.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 30 words

Method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step d) comprises vibrating said inclined surface from said second source of vibration at a frequency of about 1,000-10,000 vibrations per minute.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

Method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step d) comprises subjecting said inclined surfaces to a plurality of vibratory sources each located at an angle of about 75°-105° relative to said inclined surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 12 words

Method as recited in claim 8 wherein said angle is about 90°.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

Method as recited in claim 1 further comprising subjecting said inclined surface to a third vibratory source comprising an ultrasonic vibrator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

Method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step e) comprises subjecting said high carbon content fraction to a vacuum draft in operative association with a collection chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

Method as recited in claim 11 wherein said step e) further comprises pushing said high carbon content fraction toward said vacuum draft by exerting air flow thereon.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 196 words

Method of reducing the carbon particle content of a fly ash mixture containing from about 4% to about 20% of said carbon particles comprising: a) providing an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) feeding said fly ash mixture having from about 4-20% of said carbon particles to said elevated distal end of said surface; c) heating said fly ash mixture to a temperature of from about the dew point to about 100° C.; d) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a first source of vibration located along said surface to convey said fly ash mixture from said distal end toward said lower proximal end, said first source of vibration located at an angle of about 30° to 55° with respect to said inclined surface; e) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a second source of vibration located along said surface to separate said fly ash mixture into a high carbon content fraction and an enhanced fly ash fraction; f) recovering said enhanced fly ash fraction at a location proximate to said lower proximal end of said surface; and g) removing said separated high carbon content fraction from said surface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 196 words

Method of reducing the carbon particle content of a fly ash mixture containing from about 4% to about 20% of said carbon particles comprising: a) providing an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) feeding said fly ash mixture having from about 4-20% of said carbon particles to said elevated distal end of said surface; c) heating said fly ash mixture to a temperature of from about the dew point to about 100° C.; d) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a first source of vibration located along said surface to convey said fly ash mixture from said distal end toward said lower proximal end, said first source of vibration located at an angle of about 30° to 55° with respect to said inclined surface; e) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a second source of vibration located along said surface to separate said fly ash mixture into a high carbon content fraction and an enhanced fly ash fraction; f) recovering said enhanced fly ash fraction at a location proximate to said lower proximal end of said surface; and g) removing said separated high carbon content fraction from said surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

Method as recited in claim 13 further comprising separating cenospheres from said high carbon content fraction.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

Method as recited in claim 13 further comprising adding said high carbon content fraction to a froth flotation cell, and separating light weight constituents from said high carbon content fraction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 29 words

Method as recited in claim 13 wherein said step d) comprises vibrating said fly ash mixture from said first source of vibration operating at about 600-1,200 vibrations per minute.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 43 words

Method as recited in claim 13 wherein in said step e) a plurality of said second sources of vibration are provided and wherein each said second source of vibration is located at an angle of about 70°-105° with respect to said inclined surface.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

Method as recited in claim 17 wherein in said step e) said second sources of vibration each vibrate at a frequency of about 1,000-10,000 vibrations per minute.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 19 words

Method as recited in claim 13 wherein said step e) comprises subjecting said fly ash mixture to ultrasonic vibrations.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

Concrete admixture comprising from 1-50 weight % Portland cement in combination with 1-50 weight % of an enhanced fly ash fraction recovered by the process of claim 13.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 21 words

Cementitious mixture comprising, in combination, an enhanced fly ash fraction recovered in the process of claim 13, and a cementitious binder.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 33 words

Cementitious mixture as recited in claim 21 wherein said cementitious binder comprises a member selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, lime, lime kiln dust, and cement kiln dust and mixtures thereof.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 43 words

Cementitious mixture useful as a backfill comprising, in combination, an enhanced fly ash fraction recovered in the process of claim 13, and a member selected from the group consisting of fly ash, coal combustion ash, and coal combustion boiler slag, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for reducing the carbon content of particulate matter selected from the group consisting of fly ash and wood ash, comprising: a) an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) a first vibration means for vibrating said inclined surface to move said particulate matter from said elevated distal end toward said lower proximal end; c) a second vibration means for disaggregating said particulate matter and separating it into a high carbon fraction and a heavier enhanced particulate fraction-, d) high carbon content removal means operatively associated with said inclined surface for removing said high carbon content fraction from said inclined surface; and e) enhanced particulate fraction recovery means for recovering said enhanced particulate fraction from said inclined surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 124 words

Apparatus for reducing the carbon content of particulate matter selected from the group consisting of fly ash and wood ash, comprising: a) an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end; b) a first vibration means for vibrating said inclined surface to move said particulate matter from said elevated distal end toward said lower proximal end; c) a second vibration means for disaggregating said particulate matter and separating it into a high carbon fraction and a heavier enhanced particulate fraction-, d) high carbon content removal means operatively associated with said inclined surface for removing said high carbon content fraction from said inclined surface; and e) enhanced particulate fraction recovery means for recovering said enhanced particulate fraction from said inclined surface.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said first vibration means (b) comprises a vibrator positioned at an angle of 30°-55° relative to said inclined surface and vibrating at a frequency of about 600-1200 vibrations per minute.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said second vibration means (e) comprises a plurality of second vibrators disposed along said inclined surface, each said vibrator positioned at an angle of 75°-105° relative to said inclined surface.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 26 wherein each said second vibrator operates at a frequency of 1,000-10,000 vibrations per minute.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 27 wherein each said second vibrator is positioned at one of a plurality of locations positioned along said inclined surface from said distal end to said proximal end, the vibration frequency of said second set of vibrators increasing from distal end to proximal end positioning.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said step (c) comprises ultrasonic vibrating means positioned proximate said inclined surface.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said high carbon content removal means comprises vacuum means (f) adjacent said inclined surface for drawing a vacuum draft on said high carbon fraction, and collection means (g) communicating with said vacuum means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 30 further comprising air jet means (h) for jetting plural streams of air onto said high carbon fraction to direct it toward said vacuum draft.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 31 wherein said air jet means (h) comprises a plurality of air nozzles and individual adjustment means associated with each said nozzle for providing directional and air velocity adjustment for each said air nozzle.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-04-04	1997-10-04	1998-04-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-04-04	2001-10-04	2002-04-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-04-04	2005-10-04	2006-04-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for reducing carbon content in particulate mixtures

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