Hydrogravity system and process

A process for separating at least two types of particles from a feedstock, each particle type having a different specific gravity, the process comprising:

• forming an aqueous solution by adding to water, at least one agent selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate and combinations thereof wherein the aqueous solution is formed to have a specific gravity between that of the lightest and the heaviest particles to be separated;
• removing at least about 90% of fines from the feedstock;
• after removal of fines, creating a slurry of dispersing the feedstock in the aqueous solution;
• feeding the slurry into a first hydrogravity tank, such that most particles with a specific gravity less than that of the aqueous solution float, and most particles with a specific gravity greater than that of the aqueous solution sink;
• and
• removing the floating particles from the first hydrogravity tank to form a first product stream and removing the sinking particles from the first hydrogravity tank to a form a second product stream.

A process for separating at least two types of particles from a feedstock, each particle type having a different specific gravity, the process comprising:

• forming an aqueous solution by adding to water, at least one agent selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate, and combinations thereof wherein the aqueous solution is formed to have a specific gravity between that of the lightest and the heaviest particles to be separated;
• dispersing the particles into the aqueous solution to thereby create a slurry, wherein the extent of dispersion achieved is at least about 90%;
• feeding the slurry into a first hydrogravity tank, such that most particles with a specific gravity less than that of the aqueous solution float, and most particles with a specific gravity greater than that of the aqueous solution sink;
• removing the floating particles from the first hydrogravity tank to form a first product stream;
• and
• removing the sinking particles from the first hydrogravity tank to form a second product stream.