Technique for enhancing the effectiveness of slurried dense media separations
AssigneeMBA Polymers, Inc.
InventorLaurence E. Allen III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and media for use in separating mixtures. A slurry including a separation liquid and one or more particulate media materials is provided. A classification separation is performed on the slurry to produce a classified media having a controlled particle size distribution of the particulate media materials. The classified media is combined with a mixture to be separated to generate a separation mixture. A density separation is performed on the separation mixture. The particle size distribution can be controlled based in part on characteristics of components of a separation system to be used in subsequent density separations.
Claims27
A method for separating a mixture, the method comprising:
- providing a slurry including a separation liquid and one or more particulate media materials;
- performing one or more classification separations on the slurry to produce a classified media having a controlled particle size distribution of the particulate media materials;
- combining the classified media with a mixture to be separated to generate a separation mixture;
- and
- performing one or more density separations on the separation mixture.
A method for separating a mixture, comprising:
- separating a mixture in a first density separator to generate a first fraction and a second fraction;
- separating the first fraction in a second density separator to generate a third fraction;
- recovering liquid from the third fraction;
- combining the recovered liquid and the second fraction;
- and
- separating the second fraction in a third density separator.
A system for separating a mixture of particles, the system comprising:
- a first density separator having a first exit port and a second exit port;
- a second density separator fed by the first exit port of the first density separator;
- a third density separator fed by the second exit port of the first density separator;
- and
- a dewatering screener coupled to an exit port of the second density separator, the dewatering screener being configured to remove liquid from a product exiting the exit port of the second density separator, such that at least a portion of the removed liquid is fed into the third density separator.
A density-adjusting media for use in slurried media density separations of a mixture of materials using a density separation system, comprising:
- a particulate composition of one or more materials, the particulate composition consisting of particles having a particle size distribution between a first particle size threshold and a second particle size threshold, the first and second particle size thresholds being selected based at least in part on characteristics of components of the density separation system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.