GB713272A - Apparatus and method for removing particles from a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

713,272. Washing granular &c. materials. CLEVITE CORPORATION. Jan. 15, 1952 [March 9, 1951], No. 1136/52. Class 82 (2) [Also in Groups VIII and XXXIX] A device for changing the concentration of solid particles carried by a liquid medium comprises means for causing the medium to flow between an inlet and an outlet in a predetermined path. and means for directing sonic or ultrasonic energy across the path to drive certain of the particles into a relatively quiescent space between the inlet and' the outlet which is out of the path. whereby the concentration of the particles in the liquid medium leaving the outlet is substantially reduced. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, a tank 10 for receiving waste waters of a paper mill has an inlet 11 and am outlet 12, which are separated from the inside of the tank by slotted end pieces. Within the tank are two apertured baffles 15, 16 between which the liquid flows. The baffles preferably comprise honeycomb structures. Means for generating sonic energy comprise an electro-mechanical transducer 27 (see Group XXXIX). On the application of sonic energy to the liquid passing through the tank, part of the fibres are diverted through the honeycomb structures to quiescent regions for removal as desired through outlets 24, 25. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, a tank 60 has a series of baffles 64, 65 &c, dividing part of the tank into quiescent compartments each provided at the bottom with a hopper, the contents of which may be emptied, by rotation of a crank 71, on to a conveyer belt 72. Sonic generators 67, 68, 69, &c. operated at a frequency of 100 kilocycles per second are mounted at the top of the tank, and other generators 73, 74, 75 operated at a frequency of about 400 kilocycles per second are mounted at the outlet from the tank. In operation of the device paper fibres of different sizes are collected in the vertical compartments. The lighter fibres which tend to float in water are directed in an upward direction by the generators 73, 74, 75 and are collected in a reservoir 78. The arrangement shown may be utilized to separate particles of different sizes for example, from a wet-ground paint pigment. The hoppers at the bottom of the tank may be formed by parallel discs Fig. 4. spaced apart on a rotor comprising a shaft 110 which has four blades 111 and is rotatably mounted in a housing provided with two openings, one for receiving fibres from the tank and the other for discharging fibres on to a conveyer belt 90, the shaft 110 being turned periodically through 90 degrees. The shaft may be tapered as shown, corresponding to the quantity of fibres collected in each hopper. In a modification the blades are provided at their ends with rubber wipers and an air vent is provided in the housing enclosing the rotor.