Method and System for Separation of Suspensions
Assignee650438 Alberta Ltd.
InventorDerry Burton Eddy
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims13
1-49. (canceled)
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, the separation zone having a greater cross-sectional area at the solids discharge end than at the fluid discharge end;
- 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;
- 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
- differential rotation of the rake relative to the body directs solids to the solid discharge end.
61-63. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.