Apparatus and methods for wet grinding

Wet grinding apparatus comprising:

• first, second and third discs, said second disc being disposed between said first and said third discs and each disc having two faces wherein the two respective faces of said second disc are in opposed relation to one face of said first disc and one face of said third disc,
• a plurality of grooves in each face of said second disc and the faces of said first and third discs which are in opposed relation to the faces of said second disc,
• at least one inlet for introducing a slurry material containing particles into the grooves of said first, second and third discs,
• an outlet for allowing the slurry material to exit the grooves in said first, second and third discs,
• a drive shaft connected to rotate the second disc,
• support structure connected to said drive shaft,
• a first gap adjustment mechanism connected with said support structure and operable to vary the distance between the first and second discs, and
• a second gap adjustment mechanism connected to said third disc and operable to vary the distance between the second and third discs.

Wet grinding apparatus comprising:

• first, second and third discs, said second disc being disposed between said first and said third discs and each disc having two faces wherein the two respective faces of said second disc are in opposed relation to one face of said first disc and one face of said third disc,
• a plurality of grooves in each face of said second disc and the faces of said first and third discs which are in opposed relation to the faces of said second disc,
• at least one inlet for introducing a slurry material containing particles into the grooves of said first, second and third discs,
• an outlet for allowing the slurry material to exit the grooves in said first, second and third discs,
• a drive shaft connected to rotate the second disc, and,
• a biased connection formed between the first and third discs to allow relative axial, biased movement between the first and third discs under hydraulic pressure from the slurry material.

Wet grinding apparatus comprising:

• first and second discs, each disc having two faces wherein a face of said first disc is in opposed relation to a face of said second disc thereby defining a first pair of opposed faces, a plurality of grooves in each face of said first pair of opposed faces,
• a drive shaft connected to the second disc for rotating the second disc;
• a first fluid inlet path extending through the first disc and leading to the grooves in said first pair of opposed faces for introducing a slurry material containing particles into said grooves of said first pair of opposed faces,
• a second fluid inlet path extending through the second disc and leading to the grooves in said first pair of opposed faces for introducing additional slurry material containing particles into said grooves of said first pair of opposed faces, and
• an outlet for allowing said slurry material to exit said grooves.

Wet grinding apparatus comprising:

• a pair of discs mounted to support structure, one disc being mounted for rotation and the other disc being stationary, each disc having a face in opposed relation to a face of the other disc thereby defining a first pair of opposed faces,
• a plurality of grooves in each face of said first pair of opposed faces,
• a drive mechanism connected to rotate the rotatable disc;
• a fluid inlet in the stationary disc and leading to the grooves in said first pair of opposed faces for introducing a slurry material containing particles into said grooves of said first pair of opposed faces,
• a collection container having an open end mounted about said fluid inlet and having an inlet for receiving the slurry material, and
• an outlet for allowing said slurry material to exit said grooves.