Separation of solids by varying the bulk density of a fluid separating medium

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863174

Peterson, Palmer L ^[1]; Duffy, James B ^[2]; Tokarz, Richard D ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA
2. Brea, CA

A method and apparatus for separating objects having a density greater than a selected density value from objects having a density less than said selected density value. The method typically comprises: (a) providing a separation vessel having an upper and lower portion, said vessel containing a liquid having a density exceeding said selected density value; (b) reducing the apparent density of the liquid to said selected density value by introducing solid, bubble-like bodies having a density less than that of the liquid into the lower portion of the vessel and permitting them to rise therethrough; (c) introducing the objects to be separated into the separation vessel and permitting the objects having a density greater than the apparent density of the liquid to sink to the lower portion of the vessel, while the objects having a density less than said selected density value float in the upper portion of the vessel; and (d) separately removing the higher density objects in the lower portion and the lower density objects in the upper portion from the separation vessel. The apparatus typically comprises: (a) a vessel containing a liquid having a density such that at least part of said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value will float therein; (b) means to place said objects into said vessel; (c) means to reduce the effective density of at least a portion of said liquid to said selected density value, whereby said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value sink into said liquid and said objects having a density less than said selected density value remain afloat, said means to adjust the effective density comprising solid, bubble-like bodies having a density less than said selected density value and means for introducing said bodies into said liquid; and (d) means for separately removing said objects having a density exceeding said selected density value and said objects having a density less than said selected density value from said vessel.

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation (Columbus, OH)
• Patent Number(s): US 4111798
• OSTI ID: 863174
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

separation
solids
varying
bulk
density
fluid
separating
medium
method
apparatus
selected
value
typically
comprises
providing
vessel
upper
portion
containing
liquid
exceeding
reducing
apparent
introducing
solid
bubble-like
bodies
permitting
rise
therethrough
separated
sink
float
separately
removing
therein
means
reduce
effective
whereby
remain
afloat
adjust
comprising
typically comprises
bulk density
selected density
upper portion
vessel containing
density value
separation vessel
comprising solid
introducing solid
typically comprise
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