Patent ID: 6562240
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A method of mixing a first material and a second material using a hydrocyclone, wherein the first material comprises a mixture of two dissimilar components in order to facilitate separation of the two dissimilar components from each other, said first material being conveyed to the hydrocyclone by a pump, the method including introducing the first material into the hydrocyclone through a first inlet, introducing the second material through a second inlet, said second inlet being located upstream of the location of the pump, operating the hydrocyclone in such a manner that the second material is drawn into the hydrocyclone along with the first material through the first inlet so that mixing of the first and second materials occurs in the hydrocyclone under conditions of shear to form an intimate mixture of the first and second materials within the hydrocyclone, and discharging the intimate mixture from the hydrocyclone, whereby separation of the two dissimilar components of the first material from each other is facilitated by forming the intimate mixture of the first and second materials under conditions of shear in the hydrocyclone.