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US 7,118,631 B2Granted
Method for separating substances from particulate solids
AssigneeNewtech Commercialization Ltd.
InventorRussell M. Graham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for separating a substance such as a hydrocarbon from a particulate material such as soil is provided. An aqueous slurry is formed and a shear force is applied to the slurry, such as in a reversible helical screw conveyor, while the slurry is vibrated. The substance thus separated can then be removed from the particulate material.
Claims40
A method of separating a hydrocarbon from particulate matter comprising the steps of:
- a) introducing a fluid to particulate matter in a container wherein said particulate matter contains a hydrocarbon and said fluid comprises water;
- b) mixing said fluid and said particulate matter to form a fluid admixture in said container;
- wherein said mixing is done by a reversible helical screw conveyor in said container
- c) after an initial period of mixing, alternately applying sub-ultrasonic vibration to said fluid admixture in said container and then ceasing to apply said sub-ultrasonic vibration while said mixing is continued;
- and
- d) separating said hydrocarbon from said fluid admixture by flotation.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.