Patent ID: 7963398
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: B03B

Abstract:
1. A method for selective separation of particles from a particle-containing material, comprising: preparing a slurry comprising the particle-containing material, a slurrying liquid, and a dispersant; providing a hydraulic classifier having a body and comprising a plurality of dividers defining a plurality of inclined, substantially parallel channels in an interior of the body, and a plurality of integral underflows adapted for selective removal and recovery of particles of sequentially decreasing mean particle size; passing the slurry through a hydraulic classifier in a first direction at a superficial velocity of up to 40 cm/min; establishing a flow of particles in a second direction that is different from the first direction; recovering particles of sequentially decreasing mean particle size from the plurality of underflows; and recovering particles having a mean particle size of about 2-7 μm from an end of the hydraulic classifier body.