David C Yang

US Patent:

55073930, Apr 16, 1996

Filed:

Sep 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/306033

Inventors:

David C. Yang - Morgantown WV

International Classification:

B03B 566

US Classification:

209160

Abstract:

A gravitational separation device is provided and the process is provided involving a packed column containing a packing material and having a device for vibrating the packed column and the particles. The gravitational separation device allows for efficient and effective separation of solid particles having different densities. The process preferably involves conditioning an aqueous pulp of mineral ore with a dispersant and feeding the dispersed aqueous pulp into an inlet into an intermediate section of the packed column and forming a high density bed of high density particles in a lower portion of the column, and forming a low density bed of low density particles in an upper portion of the column. Tailings are removed from the upper end of the column and concentrated mineral ore having reduced levels of gangue are removed from the bottom of the column. The device and process are especially useful in the separation of silica particles having small particle sizes from iron ore particles having small particle sizes.