Patent ID: 6149572
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: B04B

Abstract:
A method of separating a slurry containing intermixed particulate materials of different specific gravity comprising:providing a centrifuge bowl having a peripheral wall and an open mouth;rotating the bowl about a longitudinal axis so as to rotate the peripheral wall around the axis;feeding the materials to the bowl so as to pass over the peripheral wall and causing a heavier portion of the materials to collect on the peripheral wall while a lighter portion of the materials in the slurry escapes over the open mouth;defining on the peripheral wall at least one axially localized, annular recess for collecting the heavier portion of the materials;defining in the recess an upper side wall, a lower side wall and an annular base interconnecting the side walls;providing at the recess a plurality of angularly spaced discharge ports each for allowing materials collecting in the recess to discharge outwardly from the peripheral wall, each discharge port being located with a mouth in the base;collecting the outwardly discharged materials;injecting fluidizing liquid into the recess through a plurality of fluid injection ports arranged at spaced positions around the recess for fluidizing the material in the recess;and arranging the mouth of each discharge port relative to a respective one of the injection ports such that liquid from the injection port is directed across the mouth of the discharge port so as to sweep any material collected on the mouth from the mouth.