Patent Publication Number: US-2023158515-A1

Title: Aerated hydrocyclone apparatus and method for cyclonic froth separation

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus and method for cyclonic froth separation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydrocyclones for separation of particles and liquids are known however existing devices present issues with clogging of the device during execution of the separation process and relatively high hydrodynamic loss due to unrecovered kinetic energy. A device may perform the particle separation process until the device has been clogged, thereby rendering the device unable to perform separation until user intervention is applied to unclog the device. An apparatus to prevent clogging of the device not appear to be known in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus to separate particles from a slurry. The apparatus may include a cylindrical central body. The central body may be formed by a body wall. The body wall being hollow and including a first opening on one end of the body wall and a second opening on the end opposite of the first body opening. The central body may include a pressured fluid port. The pressurized fluid port may be configured to receive pressurized gaseous fluid to generate a hydrocyclone within the apparatus. The central body may house a porous barrier. The porous barrier may run longitudinally from a first primary barrier opening at one end of the porous barrier to a second primary barrier opening at the end opposite of the first primary barrier opening. The porous barrier may be housed in the central body such that the longitudinal axis of the porous barrier is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central body. The porous barrier may include secondary barrier openings. The second barrier openings may facilitate flows of pressurized gaseous fluid through the porous barrier in directions that have a common directional tangential component. The directions of flow of the pressurize gas may enhance cyclonic motion of the slurry within the interior of the porous barrier. The apparatus may contain a first volute. The first volute may include a first body interface. The first body interface may attach to the first body opening to form a first cyclonic opening. The first cyclonic opening may provide fluid communication between the first volute and the interior side of the porous barrier. The first volute may include a slurry input port. The slurry input port may provide flows of slurry into the first volute. The slurry may then flow through the first cyclone opening into the interior side of the porous barrier to be separated by the hydrocyclone formed within the interior side of the porous barrier. The first volute may include a froth output port. The froth overflow port may be configured to receive froth outputted from hydrocyclone through the first cyclone opening and to output the froth from the apparatus. The apparatus may include a second volute. The second volute may include a body interface. The body interface may be attached to the second body opening to form a second cyclonic opening. The second cyclonic openings may provide fluid communication between the second volute and the interior side of the porous barrier. The second volute may include an air column base that forms a base surface at the second primary barrier opening to retain froth within the core of hydrocyclone. The base surface and a wall of the second volute may form an exhaust opening that is generally annular in shape. The exhaust opening may be configured to receive slurry exhausted from the hydrocyclone. The second volute may include an exhaust port. The exhaust port may be configured to provide fluid communication of slurry between the exhaust opening and the exterior of the apparatus. 
     These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus configured for cyclonic froth separation, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central body, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  2 A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  2 B  illustrates a close-up view of a cross section of the apparatus that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central body, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a porous barrier for an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a first volute for an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  5 A  illustrates a second volute for an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  5 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second volute for an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a method for cyclonic froth separation of particles from a slurry, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrates an aerated hydrocyclone apparatus  100  configured for cyclonic froth separation of particles from a slurry, in accordance with one or more implementations.  FIG.  1 A  illustrates a view of the exterior of apparatus  100 .  FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross sectional view of apparatus  100 , parallel to the longitudinal axis  140  of apparatus  100  (depicted by the dotted line of  FIG.  1 A ). In some implementations, apparatus  100  may include one or more components. The components may include one or more of a central body  102 , a porous barrier  108 , a pressurized fluid port  110 , a first volute  112 , a second volute  114 , and/or other components. Central body  102  may be formed of a body wall  104 . In some implementations, body wall  104  may be hollow and run longitudinally from a first body opening  106   a  to a second body opening  106   b . Second body opening  106   b  may be the end of body wall  104  opposite to first body opening  106   a . In some implementations, porous barrier  108  may be housed inside central body  102 . Porous barrier  108  may run longitudinally from a first primary barrier opening  118   a  to a second primary barrier opening  118   b . Second primary barrier opening  118   b  may be the end of porous barrier  108  opposite to first primary barrier opening  118   a . First volute  112  may include one or more of a slurry input port  120 , a froth overflow port  122 , and/or other components. Second volute  114  may include one or more of an airbase column  124 , an exhaust opening  126 , an exhaust port  128 , and/or other components. 
     In some implementations, body wall  104  may have a generally cylindrical shape. Body wall may run longitudinally from first body opening  106   a  to second body opening  106   b . In some implementations, first body opening  106   a  may have one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, and/or other shapes. In some implementations second body opening  106   b  may have one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, and/or other shapes. The length of central body  102  may run from first body opening  106   a  to second body opening  106   b  and/or may be determined by the length of body wall  104 . The diameter of central body  102  may be determined by the shape and/or size of first body opening  106   a  and/or second body opening  106   b.    
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , pressurized fluid port  110  may be configured to receive pressurized gaseous fluid through body wall  104 . In some implementations, pressurized fluid port  110  may be positioned along body central body  102  between first body opening  106   a  and second body opening  106   b . In some implementations, pressurized fluid port  110  may be positioned at one or more of midway between first body opening  106   a  and second body opening  106   b , closer to first body opening  106   a  and further from second body opening  106   b , further from first body opening  106   a  and closer to second body opening  106   b , and/or at other positions. 
     In some implementations, pressurized fluid port  110  may be formed by one or more of a tube structure, a pipe structure, a channel structure and/or other structures. By way of non-limiting example, a tube structure forming pressurized fluid port  110  may run longitudinally from a first port opening  146   a  on one end of the tube structure to a second port opening  146   b  on an end opposite first port opening  146   a . By way of non-limiting example,  FIG.  1 A  shows pressurized fluid port  110  may be positioned on central body  102  such that longitudinal axis  140  of central body  102  is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pressurized fluid port  110 . In some implementations, first port opening  146   a  may be positioned on an interior side  144  of the body wall  104 . In some implementations, second port opening  146   b  may be configured to attach to an external source containing pressurized gaseous fluid. By way of non-limiting example, pressurized gaseous fluid may flow from the external source through second port opening  146   b , through first port opening  146   a , and into the interior side  144  of body wall  104 . 
     In some implementations, the diameter of pressurized fluid port  110  may be smaller or larger, wherein the size of the diameter may determine the amount of pressurized gaseous fluid flowing into the interior side  144  of body wall  104 . In some implementations, the diameter of pressurized fluid port  110  may be smaller or larger, wherein the size of the diameter may determine the pressure of flowing pressurized gaseous fluid. In some implementations, pressurized fluid port  110  may include one or more of a pressure gauge to indicate the pressure of the gaseous fluid within pressurized fluid port  110 , and/or other components. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 B , porous barrier  108  may be housed within central body  102 . Porous barrier may be positioned within central body  102  on the interior side  144  of body wall  104 . In some implementations, the longitudinal axis of porous barrier  108  may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  140  of central body  102 . By way of non-limiting example, the longitudinal axis of porous barrier  108  is shown to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  140  of central body  102 . In some implementations, the misalignment of the longitudinal axis of porous barrier  108  and longitudinal axis  140  of central body  102  may vary within a range of 0 to 10 degrees. In some implementations, the length of porous barrier  108  from first primary barrier opening  118   a  to second primary barrier opening  118   b  may be generally the same as the length of body wall  104  from first body opening  106   a  to second body opening  106   b . In some implementations, the longitudinal axis  140  of central body  102  may be the same as the longitudinal axis for porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, a hydrocyclone may be house on an interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . The hydrocyclone may be formed of a central air column surrounded by an outer layer of spiraling slurry. In some implementations, the length and diameter of porous barrier  108  may determine the flow rate of the layer of spiraling slurry. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 A and  2 B  porous barrier  108  may include a cascade of blades  202  (also referred to as a set of blades). The cascade of blades  202  may be formed by one or more of individual blades  202   a - d  and/or other components. In some implementations the individual blades  202   a - d  of cascade of blades  202  may be overlapping. By way of non-limiting example, the cascade of blades  202  may be formed with a first edge of blade  202   a  positioned between a second edge of blade  202   b  and the porous barrier  108 . The first edge of blade  202   b  may be positioned between a second edge of blade  202   c  and porous barrier  108 . The first edge of blade  202   c  may be positioned between a second edge of blade  202   d  and porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, one or more of the second edge of blade  202   a , the second edge of  202   b , the second edge of  202   c , the second edge or  202   d , and/or other components may contact porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, cascade of blades  202  may form one or more of blade openings  204   a - c  between a first edge of an individual one of blades  202  and a second edge of an adjacent individual one of blades  202 . By way of non-limiting example,  FIG.  2 B  illustrates a blade opening  204   a  between the second edge of blade  202   a  and the first edge of blade  2020   b . In some implementations, blade openings  204   a - c  may provide communication of pressurized gaseous fluid from the exterior side of porous barrier  108  through porous barrier  108  to the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 A , porous barrier  108  may include one more of secondary barrier openings  206   a - d  and/or other components. Secondary barrier openings  206   a - d  may be formed by one or more of, one or more pores of porous barrier  108 , one or more blade openings  204   a - c , and/ or other formations. By way of non-limiting example, secondary barrier openings  206   a  and  206   b  may be formed by straight micro-channels and/or a network of micro-pores of porous barrier  108 . Secondary barrier openings  206   c  and  206   d  may be the same as blade openings  204   a  and  204   b , respectively. In some implementations, secondary barrier openings  206   a - d  may provide fluid communication of pressurize gaseous fluid between the exterior of porous barrier  108  and the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . By way of non-limiting example, pressurized gaseous fluid may flow from the exterior of porous barrier  108 , through one or more secondary barrier openings  206   a - d  to the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . By way of non-limiting example, trajectory arrows  210  may exemplify the path of pressurized gaseous fluid from the exterior of porous barrier  108  into the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     In some implementations, pressurized gaseous fluid may be injected into the hydrocyclone through one or more of secondary openings  206   a - d . Pressurized gaseous fluid may enter the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  at a direction with a common directional tangential component. The common directional tangential component may be defined by an angle of injection  208   a - b . The angle of injection  208   a - b  may be determined by the direction of the cyclonic motion of slurry of the hydrocyclone and/or the position of the individual blades  202   a - d  that form blade openings  104   a - c . In some implementations, the angle of injection  208   a - b  may be the same for all points at which pressurized gaseous fluid enters the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . The angle of injection  208   a - b  may be generally tangential to the cyclonic motion of slurry on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     In some implementations, the pressurized gaseous fluid may flow from the secondary barrier openings and penetrate the outer layer of spiraling slurry of the hydrocyclone house on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the injection of pressurized gaseous fluid may induce additional spiraling of the outer layer of slurry of the hydrocyclone on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     In some implementations, the cascading direction of the set of blades  202  may prevent slurry from contacting the porous material forming porous barrier  108 . By way of non-limiting example,  FIG.  2 B  illustrates the direction of slurry motion on the interior side  142  of porous wall  108  and/or the overlapping edges of individual blades  202   a - d  may prevent the slurry from entering blade openings  204   a - c . The cyclonic force on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  may cause the slurry to flow over the blade openings  204   a - c , rather than into the blade openings. Preventing slurry from flowing into the blade openings  204   a - c  may prevent large particles within the slurry from clogging the porous material forming porous barrier  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , the cascade of blades  202  may be formed by one or more of individual ones of blades  202   a - d  arranged in a generally cylindrical shape. In some implementations the individual blades of the cascade of blades  202  may run longitudinally from the first primary barrier opening to the second primary barrier opening of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the individual blades of cascade of blades  202  may include more or less blades in its circumference. In some implementations, porous barrier  108  may include one or more cascades of blades. By way of non-limiting example,  FIG.  3    illustrates porous barrier  108  with one cascade of blades  202 , however other implementations may include one or more rows of cascades of blades and/or one or more layers of cascades of blades on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , first volute  112  may include slurry input port  120 . In some implementations, slurry input port  120  may provide fluid communication between the exterior of apparatus  100  and first volute  112 . In some implementations, slurry input port  120  may be formed by one or more of a tube structure, a pipe structure, a channel structure, and/or other structures. In some implementations, slurry input port  120  may be configured to attach to an external source containing slurry. In some implementations, slurry may enter first volute  112  at a direction that is tangential to the cyclonic motion of the layer of spiraling slurry of the hydrocyclone on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the angle at which slurry flows through slurry input port  120  into first volute  112  may be determined by the position of slurry input port  120  on first volute  112 . In some implementations, the momentum at which slurry is injected through slurry input port  120  may initiate the spiraling of the slurry as it forms the outer layer of the hydrocyclone housed on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , first volute  112  may include a body interface  402 . In some implementations, first volute  112  may attach to central body  102  by body interface  402  contacting with first body opening  106   a . Body interface  402  may contact first body opening  106   a  to form a first cyclonic opening  130   a  (indicated by a dashed circle in  FIG.  1 B ). In some implementations, slurry may flow from first volute  112  through first cyclonic opening  130   a  into the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . Slurry may flow into and/or be incorporated into the outer layer of spiraling slurry of the hydrocyclone formed on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the outer layer of spiraling slurry within the hydrocyclone may be further propelled into cyclonic motion by pressurized gaseous fluid flowing from the secondary barrier openings  206   a - d  of porous barrier  108 . 
     In some implementations body interface  402  may have one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, and/or other shapes. In some implementations, body interface  402  may have a generally similar shape to first body opening  106   a . In some implementations body interface  402  may have a generally similar diameter to first body opening  106   a . In some implementations, body interface  402  may include one or more of body interface bolt openings  404   a - b . Body interface bolt openings  404   a - b  may be configured to house one or more components to attach body interface  402  to first body opening  106   a . By way of non-limiting example, body interface bolt openings  404   a - b  may be configured to house one or more of a nut and bolt and/or other mechanisms for attachment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , first volute  112  may include froth overflow port  122 . In some implementations, froth overflow port  122  may provide fluid communication from first volute  112  to the exterior of apparatus  100 . Froth overflow port  112  may be formed of a tube structure, a pipe structure, a channel structure, and/or other structures. In some implementations, froth overflow port  122  may run longitudinally from a first output opening  150   a  to a second output opening  150   b  on the end opposite from the first output opening. In some implementations, first volute  112  may attach to central body  102 , such that the longitudinal axis of froth output port may be generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of central body  102 . In some implementations, first volute  112  may be attached to central body  102 , such that the second output opening  150   b  of froth overflow port  122  may be positioned longitudinally above the central air column of the hydrocyclone on the interior side of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the first output opening  150   a  of froth overflow port  122  may be configured to attach to an exterior component to house the outputted froth. 
     In some implementations, froth formed by the hydrocyclone may collect in the central air column of the hydrocyclone on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, froth in the central air column may flow in a direction toward froth overflow port  122 . In some implementations, froth may flow from the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  through first cyclonic opening  130   a  into first volute  112 . The froth may flow from first volute  112  to the exterior of apparatus  100  via froth overflow port  122 . In some implementations, the length of froth overflow port  122  may be smaller or larger and may determine the amount and/or speed of froth outputted by apparatus  100 . In some implementations, the diameter of the tube structure forming froth overflow port  122  may be smaller or larger and may determine the amount and/or speed of froth outputted by apparatus  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , second volute  114  may include a body interface  502 . In some implementations, second volute  114  may attach to central body  102  by body interface  502  contacting with second body opening  106   b . Body interface  502  may contact with second body opening  106   b  to form a second cyclonic opening  130   b  (indicated by a dashed circle in  FIG.  1 B ). In some implementations, slurry exhausted by the hydrocyclone may flow from the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  through second cyclonic opening  130   b  into second volute  114 . 
     In some implementations body interface  502  may have one or more of a circular shape, an oval shape, and/or other shapes. In some implementations, body interface  502  may have a generally similar shape to second body opening  106   b . In some implementations body interface  502  may have a generally similar diameter to first body opening  106   b . In some implementations, body interface  502  may include one or more of body interface openings  504   a - b . Body interface openings  504   a - b  may be configured to house one or more components to attach body interface  502  to first body opening  106   b . By way of non-limiting example, body interface openings  504   a - b  may be configured to house one or more of a nut and bolt and/or other mechanisms for attachment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , second volute  114  may include air base column  124 . In some implementations air base column  124  may be configured to support the central air column of the hydrocyclone on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . In some implementations, the central air column may be formed longitudinally from the first cyclonic opening  130   a  to the second cyclonic opening  130   b . In some implementations, air base column  124  may be configured to prevent froth formed in the central air column from being outputted by exhaust port  128 . In some implementations air base column  124  may be formed by a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure may include a base end  148   a  and a base surface  148   b  opposite the base end  148   a . The base end  148   a  of the cylindrical structure may contact with a base of second volute  114 . The base surface  148   b  of air base column  124  may extend to second cyclonic opening  130   b . In some implementations, the diameter of air base column  124  may be slightly larger than the diameter of the central air column formed on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     In some implementations, the base surface  148   b  of air base column  124  may contact the central air column formed on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  in the second cyclonic opening  130   b . In some implementations, air base column  124  may prevent air from the central air column to be outputted through exhaust port  128 . In some implementations, air column base  124  may decrease the loss of kinetic energy and/or increase the cyclonic force of the hydrocyclone on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , second volute  114  may include exhaust opening  126 . In some implementations, exhaust opening  126  may be formed by a wall  506  of volute  114  and air base column  124 . In some implementations exhaust opening  126  may have a generally annular shape and may extend from the base of second volute  114  to second cyclonic opening  130   b . In some implementations, the space forming exhaust opening  126  may be determined by the size and/or shape of airbase column  124  and/or the wall of second volute  114 . In some implementations, exhaust opening  126  may be configured to provide fluid communication between second cyclonic opening  130   b  and exhaust output port  128 . By way of non-limiting example, slurry in cyclonic motion on the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  may also flow longitudinally from first cyclonic opening  130   a  to second cyclonic opening  130   b . Slurry may flow through from the interior side  142  of porous barrier  108  through second cyclonic opening  130   b  into second volute  114  via the exhaust opening  126 . In some implementations, slurry on the interior side  142  of porous barrier may flow in cyclonic motion around the central air column. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 A , second volute  114  may include exhaust port  128 . In some implementations, exhaust port  128  may provide fluid communication between second volute  114  and the exterior of apparatus  100 . In some implementations, exhaust port  128  may be formed by one or more of a tube structure, a pipe structure, a channel structure, and/or other structures. In some implementations, exhaust port  128  may be formed at the base of second volute  114  and/or may be formed in the wall  506  of second volute  114 . In some implementations, exhaust port  128  may be configured to attach to an external component to house outputted slurry. In some implementations, slurry may flow into second volute  114  via exhaust opening  126 . Slurry may flow from exhaust opening  126  through exhaust port  128  to the exterior of apparatus  100 . In some implementations, the length and/or diameter of the tube structure forming exhaust port  128  may be smaller or larger and may determine the rate at which slurry is outputted from apparatus  100 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a method for cyclonic froth separation of particles from a slurry. The operations of method  600  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method  600  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described (i.e. slurry conditioning), and/or without one or more operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations are illustrated in  FIG.  6    and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
     An operation  612  may include providing slurry, via a slurry input port, into a first volute. Operation  612  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to slurry input port  120 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  614  may include providing fluid communication between the first volute and the interior of a porous barrier to be separated by the hydrocyclone formed therein. Operation  614  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to first cyclonic opening  130   a , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  616  may include receiving pressurized gaseous fluid through a body wall to an exterior of the porous barrier. The pressurized gaseous fluid being provided may generate the hydrocyclone on the interior of the porous barrier. Operation  616  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to pressurized fluid port  110 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  618  may include providing fluid communication between the exterior of a porous barrier and the interior of the porous barrier. Operation  618  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to secondary barrier openings  206   a - d , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  620  may include facilitating flows of pressurized gas through the porous barrier in directions that have a common directional tangential component to the longitudinal axis of the porous barrier to enhance cyclonic motion of the hydrocyclone formed within the interior of the porous barrier. Operation  620  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to secondary barrier openings  206   a - d , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  622  may include receiving outputted froth from the hydrocyclone formed in the interior of the porous barrier and outputting the froth to the exterior of the apparatus. Operation  622  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to froth overflow port  122 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  624  may include providing fluid communication between the interior of the porous barrier and the second volute. Operation  624  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to second cyclonic opening  130   b , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  626  may include retaining froth within the interior of the porous barrier. Operation  626  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to air base column  124 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  628  may include retaining receiving exhausted slurry interior of the porous barrier. Operation  628  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to exhaust opening  126 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  630  may include providing fluid communication of exhausted slurry from the exhaust opening to the exterior of the apparatus. Operation  630  may be performed by one or more components that is the same or similar to exhaust port  128 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     Although the apparatus(es) and/or method(s) of this disclosure have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.