Newcastle Innovation Limited

The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited

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The University of New Castle Research Associates Limited of University

501 University Newcastle Research Associates Limited

University of Newcastle Research Assoc., Ltd.

Graeme John Jameson

George Vincent Franks

Yao-de Yan

Simon Biggs

Noel William Alexander Lambert

Simon Richard Biggs

Separation of hydrophobic particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid is performed by providing a fluidized bed as a relatively non-turbulent contacting mechanism in a flotation cell incorporating a settling chamber located immediately above the fluidized bed. Hydrophobic particles attach to bubbles in the fluidized bed and rise to the interface with the settling chamber where non-hydrophobic particles flow over the lip of an internal launder and are removed as tailings at. The hydrophobic particles attached to bubbles float upwardly in the relatively placid settling chamber where unwanted gangue can fall back to interface. The bubbles form a froth layer at the upper surface of the settling chamber, and flow over the launder lip carrying the hydrophobic particles. An operation of the apparatus is kept stable by recirculating fluid from the settling chamber via pip and pump to mix with new feed entering at duct.

Method and apparatus for flotation in a fluidized bed

A flotation separation apparatus for separating particles in suspensions, feeds slurry containing the particles through an inlet into a contactor where gas is fed through an inlet to mix with the slurry, for example in a downwardly plunging jet, to form a gas-liquid bubbly two-phase mixture under pressure from an outlet restriction in a throttling duct. The mixture is passed through a flow manipulator configured to induce a high energy dissipation rate, for example by way of a Shockwave formed in a diverging section of the throttling duct reducing the size of the bubbles and brining those bubbles into intimate contact with particles in the mixture which is released into a separation cell where a flow manipulating draft tube is provided to reduce turbulence in the mixture. Alternative apparatus and methods for inducing the high energy dissipation rate and for reducing turbulence in the mixture are also described and claimed.

Method and apparatus for contacting bubbles and particles in a flotation separation system

The present invention relates to methods for the separation of materials from heterogeneous fluids and provides a means of effecting stimulant-sensitive flocculation and consolidation of solid suspensions within a liquid medium. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of controlling the state of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, including applying to the suspension a stimulus adapted to control inter-particle forces between the solid particles. The stimulus is reversibly operable to control attraction and/or repulsion. Means of consolidating a sediment bed and of separating the resultant liquids-rich and solids-rich phases are also within the ambit of the invention.

Stimulant sensitive flocculation and consolidation

A method and apparatus for introducing wash water into a flotation froth in a flotation separation system, where the wash water is injectioned into the froth in the form of a horizontal sheet of water. The sheet is typically formed by impinging a downwardly directed liquid jet issuing from a nozzle onto a horizontal plate or disc where it changes direction and travels radially outwards as an axi-symmetric planar liquid jet or sheet. The depth of the disc can be adjusted by a support rod. Other embodiments are described where the horizontal sheet is ejected through a horizontal slit, or where the sheet of wash water is rectangular rather than axi-symmetric.

Method and apparatus for froth washing in flotation

A froth flotation process typically used to separate particulate materials such as coal, has a mixed size feed () separated in a sieve bend () into a stream of relatively fine particles () and a stream of relatively coarse particles (). The fine particles are fed to a flotation cell () in the normal manner, while the coarse particles are mixed with wash water () and distributed onto or into the froth layer () by wash water distribution apparatus (). Alternative variations of wash water distribution apparatus able to handle coarse particles are also described.

Froth flotation process and apparatus

Method and apparatus for the separation of particles from a particulate suspension. The apparatus comprises a rotating flotation drum (10) with a feed distribution chamber (13). Particulate suspension feed enters the chamber through a delivery pipe (20). The feed passes through holes (21) into the particle collection chamber (22). Air is passed into the particulate suspension through a porous inner wall (29) and a froth is generated. The froth and particulate suspension pass into a froth cleaning chamber (32). The froth is washed by being sprayed from a washwater distribution pipe (47). Froth is removed from the drum by a froth scraper (49) through a froth removal chute (50). Unfrothed particulate suspension passes through openings (40) into a weir chamber (41) and is removed through a launder (45).

Method and apparatus for separation by flotation in a centrifugal field

A method for the beneficiation of mineral ores by the flotation method whereby a slurry is introduced under pressure into the top of a first column through a downwardly facing nozzle, and air is entrained into the slurry forming a downwardly moving foam bed in the first column. The foam bed passes from the bottom of the first column into a second column where the froth and liquid separate, the froth carrying the values floating upwardly and over a weir and the liquid being drained with the gangue. The liquid/froth interface level in the second column is kept above the bottom of the first column, and the air flow rate into the top of the first column is controlled to keep the first column substantially full of foam.

Column flotation method

Method of operating a plurality of minerals separation flotation cells

Aeration apparatus for use in recovering values from slurries in a flotation cell wherein the impeller has a plurality of blades extending generally radially and downwardly on its lower surface, each blade extending from the hollow drive shaft of the rotor to the periphery of the impeller and generally increasing in height radially outwardly along the length of the blade. In the preferred form of the invention a stator is provided having corresponding radial blades located beneath the impeller.

Aeration apparatus

A method and apparatus for the benefication of mineral ores by the flotation method whereby a slurry is introduced under pressure into the top of a first column through a downwardly facing nozzle, and air is entrained into the slurry forming a downwardly moving foam bed in the first column. The foam bed passes from the bottom of the first column into a second column where the froth and liquid separate, the froth carrying the values floating upwardly and over a weir and the liquid being drained with the gangue. The liquid/froth interface level in the second column is kept above the bottom of the first column, and the air flow rate into the top of the first column is controlled to keep the first column substantially full of foam.

Column flotation method and apparatus

A method of improving the quality of froth removed from a minerals separation flotation cell by providing converging side walls to crowd the froth into a narrower chimney and thereby increase the froth height. The riser is constructed so that the height of the froth from the pulp/froth interface to the froth overflow weir is greater than the natural froth height in a similar parallel-sided flotation cell.

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Callaghan, Australia

Graeme John Jameson