Outotec Oyj

Ian Arbuthnot

Richard Triglavcanin

Alex Heath

Loc Thanh Le

The present invention provides a method () of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (), the method comprising the steps of () introducing the feed material () into the tank (); () allowing the feed material () to settle in the tank (); () allowing the pulp () to form into aggregates (); () allowing the pulp aggregates () to settle towards the bottom of the tank () and form a networked layer () of pulp; and () causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone () in an upper region of the networked layer (), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone () and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device () for separating pulp () from a feed material ().

Method and apparatus for disturbing networked pulp

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as a slurry containing minerals. The thickening apparatus comprises a tank (), a feedwell (), which includes a chamber having an inlet for receiving feed slurry () and an outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one conduit () for feed slurry to deliver a feed slurry () into the feedwell, means for diluting the feed slurry, when at least one separate dilute liquid conduit () is directed tangentially with respect to the feedwell () and at least one inflow aperture () is arranged tangentially with respect to the feedwell for recirculating the dilute liquid from the tank inside the feedwell in order to dilute the feed slurry.

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Halls Head, Australia

Ian Arbuthnot