Patent ID: 7954642
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B03B

Abstract:
1. A process for separating solid mixtures comprising the steps of: installing an elutriation column with a separation tank; said elutriation column including a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm located at a selected height and extending at a selected angle from the vertical separation column and a second side overflow pipe at a selected height spaced above the first side feed arm and extending at a second selected angle from the vertical separation column into a floaters discharge port in the separation tank; feeding a solid feed mixture through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column; forcing water from the separation tank starting at a bottom end of the vertical separation column upwardly through the vertical separation column at a controllable velocity causing targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier sinker materials to continue to sink; discharging an overflow stream including targeted floater materials only from the second side overflow pipe into the floaters discharge port from the separation tank into the recovery tank; discharging the heavier sinker materials from the bottom end of the vertical separation column; and returning water from said recovery tank to the separation tank through a water return port at a top of the separation tank.