Patent ID: 8251228
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: B03D,C02F,C12M,C12N

Abstract:
1. A process for concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion by adsorptive bubble separation, the process comprising: intimately contacting a gas with the liquid-particle dispersion to form a gas-liquid-particle dispersion; introducing the gas-liquid-particle dispersion into a vessel at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein; forming bubbles in the liquid, the bubbles comprising gas-particle agglomerates; directing the bubbles to the surface of the liquid with one or more baffles so as to form a floating froth, wherein the froth is enriched in particles and wherein the one or more baffles direct the rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel; directing the froth towards a froth collection launder in a region of lower surface area than the region where it formed; and collecting the froth in the froth collection launder thus collapsing the froth therein and concentrating particles in the liquid-particle dispersion.