Separation of minerals by specific gravity
AssigneeJody G. Robbins
InventorsJody G. Robbins, Joseph Richard Wantulok
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A centrifuge for separating minerals by specific gravity is disclosed. The centrifuge rotates to circulate slurry across a collection region and to subject slurry in the collection region to centripetal forces that facilitate stratification within the collection region by the specific gravity of the constituent minerals of the slurry. Energy, such as acoustic energy, is coupled with the collection region and enhances the stratification by specific gravity within the collection region.
Claims23
A device for separating a first mineral of a first specific gravity from at least a second mineral of a second specific gravity that is lower than the first specific gravity, the device comprising:
- a centrifuge configured to rotate about an axis, the centrifuge comprising:
- an inner chamber;
- at least one collection region comprising a cavity in communication with the inner chamber subject to centripetal acceleration when the centrifuge rotates about the axis;
- and
- at least one energy injection module coupled to the collection region and configured to provide oscillating energy and to inject a fluid into the collection region,
- wherein the collection region and energy injection module are configured to stratify the first and second minerals.
A method for separating a first mineral of a first specific gravity from at least a second mineral of a second specific gravity that is lower than the first specific gravity, the method comprising:
- obtaining a slurry comprising the first and second minerals and a solid carrier medium;
- receiving the slurry in a centrifuge having at least one collection region;
- rotating the centrifuge about an axis to subject the collection region to centripetal forces due to the rotation of the centrifuge about the axis, such that the slurry including the first and second minerals and solid carrier medium is circulated within the centrifuge and across the collection region;
- receiving at least a portion of slurry in the collection region;
- generating energy waves and injecting the energy waves into the collection region;
- and
- stratifying the first and second minerals in the collection region.
A method for separating a first mineral of a first specific gravity from at least a second mineral of a second specific gravity that is lower than the first specific gravity the method comprising:
- receiving a fluidized slurry comprising the first and second minerals in a centrifuge having a collection region;
- rotating the centrifuge around an axis to generate centripetal forces and circulate the slurry within the centrifuge;
- circulating a least a portion of the slurry into the collection region;
- injecting acoustic energy into the collection region;
- injecting a fluid into the collection region;
- and
- stratifying the first and second minerals in the collection region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.