Process for extracting and purifying naturally occurring zeolite
AssigneeBasic Resources, Inc.
InventorBilly D. Fellers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for extracting and purifying naturally occurring zeolite from ores in the presence of other mineral phases by using mechanical dispersion and differential suspension to remove a majority of the clay content of the ore. The process continues by removal of contaminants with a higher mass to surface area ratio than that of the desired zeolite product by employing the properties of demineralized water in combination with a countercurrent flow separation column. No chemical flocculating or flotation agents are employed in the process. The process separates the particulate compound by using the separation effect of an electrical double layer which forms when the mixture is hydrated in a low electrolyte medium.
Claims9
A method for classification of a particulate mineral compound, said compound including particles possessing an electrical double layer when hydrated in low electrolyte medium and having a range of particle sizes, comprising:
- preparing an aqueous slurry of said particulate mineral compound, said aqueous slurry having a slurry density of 5% to 40%;
- introducing said slurry into a countercurrent classifying column, said classifying column having one or more stages, a feed injection port at about the midpoint of said classifying column, a demineralized water injection port below said feed injection port, a cap at such column's topmost edge, and an overflow port below said cap;
- injecting demineralized water into said countercurrent classifying column at said demineralized water injection port so as to form an ascending demineralized water stream sufficient to amplify differences in particle settling velocity;
- separating said particulate compound using the separation effect of said electrical double layer;
- and
- extracting an overflow stream through said overflow port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.