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US 10,906,820 B2Granted
Method and system for separation of suspensions
Assignee650438 Alberta Ltd.
InventorDerry Burton Eddy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for separating a suspension into solid and fluid components. The suspension is centrifuged about a substantially vertical axis of rotation to concentrate solid components in a first lower flow stream and fluid components in a first upper flow stream. The first upper flow stream may be centrifuged about a substantially vertical axis of rotation to concentrate solid components in a second lower flow stream and fluid components in a second upper flow stream. The first lower flow stream, the second lower flow stream, or both, may be centrifuged about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation to separate water from stackable dry tailings. The method and system may be applied to separation of tailings or other suspensions.
Claims25
A centrifuge for separating a suspension into a fluid component and a solids component, the centrifuge comprising:
- an elongate body extending along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis between a fluid discharge end and a solids discharge end, the body rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
- a separation zone defined within the body;
- a rotation driver that rotates the body about the longitudinal axis, the rotation driver rotatably engaging the body between the fluid discharge end and the solids discharge end thereof;
- a drive shaft extending through the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis independently of the body;
- a rake connected to the drive shaft and positioned proximate an inner surface of the body such that the rake is stabilized and centralized in the body during differential rotation of the rake relative to the body in the presence of a fluid;
- a first inlet for receiving the suspension into the separation zone;
- a fluid discharge outlet for discharging fluid proximate the fluid discharge;
- and
- a solids discharge outlet for discharging solids proximate the solids discharge end;
- wherein rotation of the body with the suspension in the separation zone causes rotation of the rake and drive shaft;
- and
- the differential rotation of the rake relative to the body directs solids to the solid discharge end.
9 more elements
A centrifuge for separating a suspension into a fluid component and a solids component, the centrifuge comprising:
- an elongate body extending along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis between a fluid discharge end and a solids discharge end, the body rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
- a separation zone defined within the body;
- a rotation driver for rotating the body about the longitudinal axis;
- a drive shaft extending through the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis independently of the body;
- a rake connected to the drive shaft and positioned proximate an inner surface of the body such that the rake is stabilized and centralized in the body during differential rotation of the rake relative to the body in the presence of a fluid;
- a first inlet for receiving the suspension into the separation zone, wherein the first inlet is located within the drive shaft;
- a second inlet within the drive shaft for delivering fluid to the separation zone, the first and second inlets delivering feed at different longitudinal locations along the separation zone;
- a fluid discharge outlet for discharging fluid proximate the fluid discharge;
- and
- a solids discharge outlet for discharging solids proximate the solids discharge end;
- wherein rotation of the body with the suspension in the separation zone causes rotation of the rake and drive shaft;
- and
- the differential rotation of the rake relative to the body directs solids to the solid discharge end.
10 more elements
A centrifuge for separating a suspension into a fluid component and a solids component, the centrifuge comprising:
- an elongate body extending along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis between a fluid discharge end and a solids discharge end, the body rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
- a separation zone defined within the body;
- a rotation driver for rotating the body about the longitudinal axis;
- a drive shaft extending through the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis independently of the body;
- a support plate mounted on the drive shaft for supporting the body, the support plate including a plurality of apertures for allowing fluid to pass through the support plate;
- a rake connected to the drive shaft and positioned proximate an inner surface of the body such that the rake is stabilized and centralized in the body during differential rotation of the rake relative to the body in the presence of a fluid;
- a first inlet for receiving the suspension into the separation zone, wherein the first inlet is located within the drive shaft;
- a fluid discharge outlet for discharging fluid proximate the fluid discharge;
- and
- a solids discharge outlet for discharging solids proximate the solids discharge end;
- wherein rotation of the body with the suspension in the separation zone causes rotation of the rake and drive shaft;
- and
- the differential rotation of the rake relative to the body directs solids to the solid discharge end.
10 more elements
A centrifuge for separating a suspension into a fluid component and a solids component, the centrifuge comprising:
- an elongate body extending along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis between a fluid discharge end and a solids discharge end, the body rotatable about the longitudinal axis;
- a separation zone defined within the body,
- a rotation driver for rotating the body about the longitudinal axis;
- a drive shaft extending through the body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis independently of the body;
- a rake connected to the drive shaft and positioned proximate an inner surface of the body, wherein connectors connect the rake to the drive shaft, wherein the rake has a width that is wider than the connectors, and wherein the rake is positioned sufficiently proximate the inner surface to be stabilized and centralized therein by a high-pressure condition in a space between the rake and the body caused by differential rotation of the rake relative to the body and the width of the rake;
- a first inlet for receiving the suspension into the separation zone;
- a fluid discharge outlet for discharging fluid proximate the fluid discharge;
- and
- a solids discharge outlet for discharging solids proximate the solids discharge end;
- wherein rotation of the body with the suspension in the separation zone causes rotation of the rake and drive shaft;
- and
- the differential rotation of the rake relative to the body directs solids to the solid discharge end.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.