Patent ID: 7374689
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B01D,B01F,B03D,C02F

Abstract:
1. A method for separating particles from a contaminated liquid stream by flotation, comprising the steps of: mixing the liquid with a separation enhancement additive and a gas using a mixing apparatus having a reactor head including a gas injection port and a plurality of liquid ports configured to impart a spinning motion to the liquid as it passes from the reactor head to a downtube of the apparatus; creating bubble laden floccs in the liquid by reducing the pressure of the mixed liquid stream using a pressure reducing device comprised of an enlarged tube having a flow restrictor element therein; altering the flow of the liquid stream to the pressure reducing device based on a monitoring of the pressure of the liquid stream; directing the bubble laden floccs upwardly into a bloom chamber of a flotation tank; circulating the bubble laden floccs in an upper portion of a separation chamber of the flotation tank until they rise to an upper surface of the flotation tank, wherein the decontaminated liquid flows to a lower portion of the separation chamber of the flotation tank; removing the decontaminated liquid through an outlet formed in a lower portion of the flotation tank; removing the floated contaminate floccs from the upper surface of the flotation tank using a skimmer; and dewatering the removed contaminated floccs.