Separation of minerals by specific gravity
AssigneeJody G. Robbins
InventorsJody G. Robbins, Joseph Richard Wantulok
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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.
Claims21
A device for separating minerals by specific gravity, the device comprising:
- a centrifuge configured to rotate about an axis, the centrifuge comprising a collection region;
- and
- an energy injection module configured to couple provide oscillating energy into the collection region, wherein the centrifuge, the collection region and the energy injection module are configured to settle minerals out of a mineral-containing fluid and stratify the minerals by specific gravity.
A method for separating minerals by specific gravity, the method comprising:
- obtaining a fluidized slurry containing at least two second minerals having different specific gravities;
- rotating a centrifuge containing the slurry about an axis such that the slurry is circulated within the centrifuge and across at least one collection region;
- receiving at least a portion of the slurry in the collection region;
- generating energy waves and injecting the energy waves into the collection region;
- and
- stratifying the minerals in the collection region by specific gravity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.