Process and apparatus for continuous mixing of slurry with removal of entrained bubbles

An apparatus for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising:

• a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;
• a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet coupled to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles, wherein said vacuum centrifuge further comprises;
• a rotating bowl disposed in a vacuum chamber, said bowl having an inside and an outside surface coupled to said inlet to receive said mixture such that when said bowl is rotated rapidly, said mixture is spread on said inside surface of said bowl and said mixture is dispersed into an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge;
• and
• a surge tank coupled to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from said surge tank outlet.

An apparatus for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising:

• a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;
• a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet coupled to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles;
• and
• a surge tank having and inlet coupled to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from an outlet of said surge tank and wherein said surge tank further comprises:
• a tank having a top and a bottom portion and having said inlet disposed on said top portion, said top portion having a flexible weir located around said top portion and in front of said inlet such that said mixture runs down the sides of the tank and out of said outlet located in said bottom portion of said tank.

A method of continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising:

• providing a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;
• wherein said mixer further comprises:
• a barrel having an inlet for accepting said fine particles and an outlet for dispersing said fine particles;
• a tank for holding said liquid in which said outlet of said barrel is disposed such that said outlet is dispersing said fine particles at at least one of either at and under the surface of said liquid;
• coupling a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet to said outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles;
• and
• coupling a surge tank to an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from said surge tank outlet.

A method of continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising:

• providing a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;
• coupling a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles, wherein said vacuum centrifuge further comprises;
• a rotating bowl disposed in a vacuum chamber, said bowl having an inside and an outside surface coupled to said inlet to receive said mixture such that when said bowl is rotated rapidly, said mixture is spread on said inside surface of said bowl and said mixture is dispersed into an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge;
• and
• coupling a surge tank to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein and dispersing said mixture from said surge tank outlet.

An method for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising:

• providing a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;
• coupling a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet and an outlet to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles;
• and
• coupling a surge tank having an inlet to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from an outlet of said surge tank and wherein said surge tank further comprises:
• a tank having a top and a bottom portion and having said inlet disposed on said top portion, said top portion having a flexible weir located around said top portion and in front of said inlet such that said mixture runs down the sides of the tank and out of said outlet located in said bottom portion of said tank.