Back to results
US 4,226,714 AGranted
Thickener control system
AssigneeThe Anaconda Company
InventorsKenneth M. Furness, Manuel Quinonez, Stanley T. Low
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeThe Anaconda Company
InventorsKenneth M. Furness, Manuel Quinonez, Stanley T. Low
Estimating the term…
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining steady state conditions in a separator. Steady state is maintained by controlling mass flow rates of influent to, and underflow from the separator. Specifically, an influent specific gravity and flow rate signals are monitored by an influent mass flow controller. That controller responds to variation in these signals to maintain a constant mass feed rate into the separator. A mass flow signal, comprising a composite of influent specific gravity and influent mass flow signals, is produced. That signal is fed to a thickener controller which also monitors mass flow of the underflow. The thickener controller adjusts the mass flow rate of the underflow in response to the influent mass flow signal. However, fluctuation of an interface level between clear and unclear areas of the thickener can effect flow rate adjustment. The purpose of such an override is correction for errors in the mass control signal as well as for changes in flocculant feed rate. This invention can be adapted to operate a system containing multiple solid-liquid separation devices.
A method for controlling a liquid-solid separation process in which an interface is formed so that substantially steady state operation is maintained comprising steps for:
In an apparatus for controlling liquid-solid separation in a separator including a feed means, a means for withdrawing a substantially clear liquid overflow, and a means for withdrawing a substantially solid underflow wherein the improvement comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.