Method of separating solids by simultaneous comminution and agglomeration
AssigneeThe University of Toronto Innovations Foundation
InventorOlev Trass
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process is provided for the separation of a solid into its constituent lyophobic and lyophilic components by comminution and agglomeration in liquids to which the two components are respectively lyophobic and lyophilic. The process has particular application in coal beneficiation wherein ash particles are liberated into a water phase and coal particles are agglomerated with oil. The operations of comminuting and agglomerating are combined in a single step by performing the process in a mill having positive transport capability.
Claims27
A process for separating a solid having two or more components, at leastone of which is lyophobic and at least one of which is lyophilic, comprising:
- In a single step comminuting a mixture of the solid in a first liquid to which one of the components is lyophilic and to which the other component is lyophobic and in a second liquid which is immicible with the first liquid and which will wet the lyophobic component to form agglomerates of the lyophobic component and the second liquid, in a mill having positive transport capability such that the mill causes the mixture to be transported therethrough;
- and
- thereafter, the further step of separating the agglomerates from the mixture.
A process for separating a solid having two or more components, at least one of which is hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, comprising:
- in a single step comminuting a mixture of the solid in water and liquid which is immiscible with water and which will wet the hydrophobic component to form agglomerates of the hydrophobic component and the immiscible liquid, in a mill having positive transport capability, such that the mill causes the mixture to be transported therethrough;
- and
- thereafter, the further step of separating the agglomerates from the mixture.
A process for beneficiating a coal containing ash, comprising:
- in a single step, comminuting a mixture of coal, water and oil to liberate at least a portion of the ash and coal in particulate form, and to form agglomerates of the coal particles and the oil in a mill having positive transport capability, such that the mill causes the mixture to be transported therethrough;
- and
- thereafter, the further step of separating the agglomerates from the mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.