PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR ADSORPTIVE BUBBLE SEPARATION
Process and apparatus are described for adsorptive bubble separation of hydrophobic particles from liquid dispersions. When a gas-liquid-particle dispersion is introduced into a separation vessel, a baffle directs the rising bubbles toward the perimeter of the apparatus. At the liquid surface, bubbles with attached hydrophobic materials form a floating froth layer, which is directed toward a froth collection launder. Also disclosed is an improvement for froth flotation processes comprising using a vacuum to pull froth and/or collapsed froth into and through the froth collection launder and froth drain line.
1 - 14 . (canceled)
15 . An adsorptive bubble separation process of the type involving froth flotation wherein the floating froth flows into a collection launder, wherein the improvement comprises:
directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of a flotation chamber with one or more baffles; and
forcing the floating froth to flow on the liquid surface to a region of reduced surface area before overflowing into the collection launder.
16 . An adsorptive bubble separation process of the type involving froth flotation wherein the floating froth flows into a collection launder, wherein the improvement comprises:
directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of a flotation chamber with one or more baffles; and
utilizing a vacuum to pull and/or collapse froth through the collection launder.
17 . A method of concentrating particles in a liquid-particle dispersion by adsorptive bubble separation, the method comprising:
introducing the liquid-particle dispersion into a vessel at a point below a surface of a liquid contained therein;
introducing a gas into the vessel at a point below the introduction point of the liquid-particle dispersion;
forming bubbles comprising a gas-particle agglomerate;
directing the bubbles to the surface of the liquid with one or more baffles so as to form a floating froth, wherein the froth is enriched in particles and wherein the one or more baffles direct the rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel;
directing the froth towards a froth collection launder in a region of lower surface area than the region where it formed; and
collecting the froth in the froth collection launder.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the froth collection launder is located substantially in the center of the vessel.
19 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A froth flotation device of the type wherein froth floating in a vessel flows into a collection launder for collection, the improvement comprising:
incorporating one or more baffles in the vessel to direct rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel; and
incorporating into the froth flotation device a vacuum generating device to pull and/or collapse froth through the collection launder.
22 . The froth flotation device of claim 21 , wherein vacuum is generated by a pump, compressor, aspirator, venturi, eductor, and/or blower used to provide gas introduced into the vessel for preparation of bubbles for froth.
23 . A froth flotation device of the type wherein froth floating in a vessel flows into a collection launder for collection, the improvement comprising:
one or more baffles in the vessel for directing rising bubbles and falling dislodged particles to the perimeter of the vessel; and
a collection launder centrally located within the vessel.