Patent ID: 9656270
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: B01D,B03B

Claim:
1. An apparatus for classifying particulate material comprising: first and second tanks for receiving a feed slurry, the first and second tanks having respective lower regions; a device for introducing water into the respective lower regions of the first and second tanks, whereby water is caused to flow upwardly and through the feed slurry contained in each of the first and second tanks; a device for introducing feed slurry in an upwards direction into each of the first and second tanks, wherein the device for introducing feed slurry comprises a transfer passage for transferring material from the lower region of the first tank to the second tank, and wherein the transfer passage has an outlet region extending upwardly within the second tank and an upwardly-facing outlet portion opening into the second tank; and first and second devices for effecting discharge of an overflow fraction from respective ones of the first and second tanks, whereby hydraulic separation takes place within the first and second tanks with particles of lower settling velocity progressing upwardly and into the respective first and second devices for effecting discharge, and particles of greater settling velocity progressing downwardly to the respective lower regions of the first and second tanks, and wherein the feed slurry is introduced into the first and second tanks in an upwards direction.