The present invention relates to a method of cleaning solids to be free of, or separating solids from, viscous materials and in some cases other solids such as, but not limited to resins and other coatings, foreign debris, clays, silts, contaminated water or chemicals and in other cases separating some liquids form some other liquids. Also disclosed are systems to accomplish such.

A system for use with a gunite rig to capture airborne gunite type materials, particularly those containing silica, during the preparation of the gunite. In one respect, as the bags of silica-containing material are placed in the mixing section of the gunite rig and ripped open, airborne gunite dust is captured by a hood, separation, and suction system positioned above the mixer. The mitigation system also includes a plenum box and suction system positioned adjacent the mouth of a gunite pot to capture gunite dust generated as the mixed gunite material falls from a hopper into the gunite pot. A separator positioned upstream of a dust collection apparatus separates the larger heavier particles from the lighter ones.

A system for use with a gunite rig to capture airborne gunite type materials, particularly those containing silica, during the preparation of the gunite. In one respect, as the bags of silica-containing material are placed in the mixing section of the gunite rig and ripped open, airborne gunite dust is captured by a hood, separation, and suction system positioned above the mixer. The mitigation system also includes a plenum box and suction system positioned adjacent the mouth of a gunite pot to capture gunite dust generated as the mixed gunite material falls from a hopper into the gunite pot. A separator positioned upstream of a dust collection apparatus separates the larger heavier particles from the lighter ones.

A centrifugal separator for industrial separation of a liquid-gas mixture, including a centrifugal separator body having a centrifugal separator body wall, the centrifugal separator body including a cylindrical section and a conical section, a gas outlet positioned at the top end of the centrifugal separator body and a liquid outlet positioned at the bottom end of the centrifugal separator body, the centrifugal separator body further including a liquid-gas mixture inlet orifice, positioned in the cylindrical section of the centrifugal separator body, and a detector for detecting the thickness of the liquid on the centrifugal separator body wall, wherein the detector is positioned in the cylindrical section. A method for monitoring the flow through such a centrifugal separator.

A centrifugal separator apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream; the apparatus comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit; a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit; wherein the centrifugal separator unit comprises a centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream; the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component; the centrifugal separation chamber comprising a curved or inclined guide surface for guiding flow of the fluid from the inlet in a radially outward direction; wherein the centrifugal separator unit is provided with a wall member which is axially movable to provide a selected degree of occlusion of the first outlet and thereby control flow of the higher density component through the first outlet.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a surface cleaning head, the surface cleaning head comprising a first liquid separation stage comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone first end, an axially spaced apart second end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and an axially extending sidewall wherein a portion of the sidewall comprises a screen and, when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use to clean a floor, the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally horizontally and, a first liquid collection region that is positioned at a lower elevation than the screen.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a surface cleaning head, the surface cleaning head comprising a first liquid separation stage comprising a cyclone having a cyclone axis of rotation, a cyclone first end, an axially spaced apart second end, a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and an axially extending sidewall wherein a portion of the sidewall comprises a screen and, when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use to clean a floor, the cyclone axis of rotation extends generally horizontally and, a first liquid collection region that is positioned at a lower elevation than the screen.

An inertial separator for removing particles from a fluid stream includes a body defining a through passage, with at least one separator inlet and at least one separator outlet, a turn provided in the body between the at least one separator inlet and the at least one separator outlet, and a flow splitter having at least one particle outlet fluidly coupled to the outside of the through passage.

A water extractor includes an outer duct with an inlet and an outlet, and an inner duct with an inlet and an outlet. The inner duct is positioned in the outer duct. The water extractor further includes a gap between the inner duct and the outer duct. The gap is tapered between a first position and a second position.

A water extractor includes an outer duct with an inlet and an outlet, and an inner duct with an inlet and an outlet. The inner duct is positioned in the outer duct. The water extractor further includes a gap between the inner duct and the outer duct. The gap is tapered between a first position and a second position.