Liquid refinement

A method for refining a liquid stream, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid carrier having solid particles mixed therein, wherein the solid particles have a specific gravity that is greater than a specific gravity of the liquid carrier, the method comprising:

• flowing the liquid stream through a first flow chamber in a first direction at a first velocity, wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to gravity and the first velocity is greater than a settling velocity of the solid particles in the liquid carrier;
• redirecting the liquid carrier 180 degrees such that the liquid carrier flows into a second flow chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction at a second velocity less than the settling velocity, wherein:
• during redirecting the liquid carrier, the liquid carrier flows into inclined channels in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions;
• and
• the inclined channels are defined by inclined plates and fluidly couple an outlet of the first flow chamber and an inlet of the second flow chamber;
• and
• collecting the solid particles as the solid particles fall out of the liquid carrier during redirecting the liquid carrier.

An apparatus for refining a liquid stream, wherein the liquid stream comprises a liquid carrier having solid particles mixed therein, wherein the solid particles have a specific gravity that is greater than a specific gravity of the liquid carrier, the apparatus comprising:

• a first flow chamber for directing the liquid stream downwards in a first direction at a first velocity, wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to gravity and the first velocity is greater than a settling velocity of the solid particles in the liquid carrier;
• a second flow chamber for directing the liquid carrier upwards in a second direction opposite the first direction at a second velocity less than the settling velocity, wherein the second flow chamber is an annulus formed around the first flow chamber;
• and
• a separation chamber disposed between the first flow chamber and the second flow chamber, the separation chamber comprising a redirection portion and a collection portion, wherein:
• the redirection portion of the separation chamber comprises inclined plates across which the liquid carrier flows;
• the inclined plates define inclined channels fluidly coupling an outlet of the first flow chamber and an inlet of the second flow chamber;
• the inclined plates are circumferentially spaced apart in an annular formation;
• the annular formation of inclined plates is positioned proximate an inlet of, and substantially concentric with the annulus that is, the second flow chamber;
• the redirection portion of the separation chamber redirects flow in the first direction from the first flow chamber to a radially outward direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and redirects flow in the radially outward direction into the second flow chamber;
• the liquid carrier flows into the inclined channels in the radially outward direction;
• flow of the liquid carrier through the redirection portion of the separation chamber slows from the first velocity to the second velocity;
• and
• the solid particles fall out of the liquid carrier in the redirection portion and collect in the collection portion of the separation chamber.