Dewatering Method Using a Wicking Material
OwnerBrian J. Peeverinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wet material having at least a liquid portion is dewatered by providing one or more wicking members of wicking material arranged to transfer moisture passively by wicking therethrough from a contacting portion in contact with the wet material to an evaporating portion where the transferred liquid portion is arranged to be evaporated. In some embodiments conductive elements are included in the wicking member to assist in distributing heat across the wicking member which enhances the evaporation of moisture transferred therethrough from the wet material. In yet further embodiments, a condenser member is provided in proximity to the evaporating portion of the wicking member so as to be arranged to condense and collect at least some of the liquid portion evaporated from the wicking member.
Claims32
A method of dewatering a wetted material comprising at least a liquid portion, the method comprising:
- providing a wicking member comprising a wicking material having wicking properties so as to be arranged to transfer moisture passively by wicking therethrough from a contacting portion to an evaporating portion;
- positioning the wicking member with the contacting portion in contact with the wetted material and the evaporating portion above the contacting portion such that:
- the liquid portion is arranged to be transferred from the wetted material primarily by wicking upwardly through the wicking member;
- and
- the transferred liquid portion is arranged to be evaporated from the evaporating portion.
A method of dewatering a wetted material comprising at least a liquid portion, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of wicking members of like configuration, each comprising a panel of wicking material having wicking properties so as to be arranged to transfer moisture passively by wicking therethrough from a contacting portion to an evaporating portion;
- supporting the panels at spaced apart positions from one another in respective upright orientations such that each panel extends upwardly from the respective contacting portion in contact with the wetted material to the evaporating portion above the wetted material such that the liquid portion is arranged to be transferred from the wetted material by wicking through the wicking member to the evaporating portion for evaporation therefrom;
- providing at least one condenser member comprising at least one surface upon which the liquid portion evaporated from the wicking members is arranged to be condensed;
- supporting said at least one condenser member at an intermediate location between respective ones of the wicking members;
- and
- collecting the condensate which is condensed on said at least one condenser member.
A wicking member for dewatering a wetted material comprising a solids portion and a liquid portion, the wicking member comprising:
- a wicking material having wicking properties so as to be arranged to transfer moisture through the wicking member by capillary action;
- and
- a plurality of conductive elements integrally supported on the wicking material so as to be arranged to conduct heat across the wicking material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.