The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 1980
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1978
Kenneth M Furness, Tucson, AZ (US);
Manuel Quinonez, Tucson, AZ (US);
Stanley T Low, Tucson, AZ (US);
The Anaconda Company, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining steady state conditions in a separator. Steady state is maintained by controlling mass flow rates of influent to, and underflow from the separator. Specifically, an influent specific gravity and flow rate signals are monitored by an influent mass flow controller. That controller responds to variation in these signals to maintain a constant mass feed rate into the separator. A mass flow signal, comprising a composite of influent specific gravity and influent mass flow signals, is produced. That signal is fed to a thickener controller which also monitors mass flow of the underflow. The thickener controller adjusts the mass flow rate of the underflow in response to the influent mass flow signal. However, fluctuation of an interface level between clear and unclear areas of the thickener can effect flow rate adjustment. The purpose of such an override is correction for errors in the mass control signal as well as for changes in flocculant feed rate. This invention can be adapted to operate a system containing multiple solid-liquid separation devices.