Apparatus and method of feeding a feed slurry into a separating device

An apparatus for feeding a feed slurry into a device for separating low density particles from the feed slurry, the apparatus comprising:

• a conduit having a slurry inlet for receiving the feed slurry, a gas feed inlet for receiving a gas and an outlet for discharging the gas and feed slurry;
• and
• a plurality of hollow tubes within the conduit for combining the feed slurry and gas from the slurry and gas feed inlets;
• wherein one or more of the hollow tubes comprise a non-porous section for directing the flow of the feed slurry and gas and a porous section to generate bubbles of substantially uniform size into the feed slurry flowing within the conduit.

An apparatus for feeding a feed slurry into a device for separating low density particles from the feed slurry, the apparatus comprising:

• a conduit having a slurry inlet for receiving the feed slurry, a gas feed inlet for receiving a gas and an outlet for discharging the gas and feed slurry;
• a plurality of hollow tubes within the conduit for combining the feed slurry and gas from the slurry and gas feed inlets, wherein the hollow tubes are positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conduit and arranged in one or more rows;
• and
• a plurality of channels located above and below the hollow tubes, the channels being positioned axially within the conduit;
• wherein the hollow tubes each comprise a porous section to generate bubbles of substantially uniform size into the feed slurry flowing within the conduit.

A method of feeding gas and a feed slurry into a device for separation low density particles from the feed slurry, comprising:

• introducing the feed slurry into a slurry inlet of a conduit;
• introducing gas into a gas feed inlet of the conduit;
• conveying the feed slurry and gas into a plurality of hollow tubes so that the feed slurry and gas is discharged from an outlet of the conduit into the separation device;
• and
• providing one of more of the hollow tubes with a non-porous section for directing the flow of the feed slurry and gas and a porous section or surface to generate bubbles of substantially uniform size into the feed slurry flowing within the conduit.

A method of feeding gas and a feed slurry into a device for separation low density particles from the feed slurry, comprising:

• introducing the feed slurry into a slurry inlet of a conduit;
• introducing gas into a gas feed inlet of the conduit;
• positioning a plurality of hollow tubes substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conduit and arranged in one or more rows;
• positioning a plurality of channels located above and below the hollow tubes, the channels being positioned axially within the conduit;
• conveying the feed slurry and gas into a plurality of hollow tubes so that the feed slurry and gas is discharged from an outlet of the conduit into the separation device;
• and
• providing the hollow tubes with a porous section or surface to generate bubbles of substantially uniform size into the feed slurry flowing within the conduit.