Patent ID: 6988622

Claim:
A method of separating plant materials in a flotation vessel, the method comprising the following steps: introducing a feed mixture of said plant materials into the flotation vessel; introducing water into the flotation vessel; collecting an overflow of water and a floating portion of the feed mixture from the flotation vessel; and withdrawing water and a sinking portion of the feed mixture from a bottom of the flotation vessel; wherein said withdrawing step is carried out so as to establish a maximum flow rate of withdrawal while maintaining laminar flow in the flotation vessel; and wherein said feed mixture includes chili-pepper plants sized into pieced about 2 inches long or smaller, said sinking portion of the feed mixture includes chili-pepper pulp, said floating portion of the feed mixture includes chili-pepper seeds and chili-pepper plant waste material, and said steps of introducing water into flotation vessel and withdrawing water from the bottom of the flotation vessel are carried out at respective flow rates in an approximate ratio of 5/4.