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:
Sep. 29, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1996
Applicant:
Inventors:
Roe-Hoan Yoon, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Gregory T Adel, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Gerald H Luttrell, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Assignee:
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., Blacksburg, VA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B03D / ; B03D / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
209164 ; 209170 ; 2611221 ; 261D / ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for the microbubble flotation separation of very fine and coarse particles, especially coal and minerals, so as to produce high purity and high recovery efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of a flotation column, microbubbles, recycling of the flotation pulp, and countercurrent wash water to gently wash the froth. Also disclosed are unique processes and apparatus for generating microbubbles for flotation in a highly efficient and inexpensive manner using either a porous tube or in-line static generators.