Devices, systems, and methods for recovering metal constituents from a waste stream containing metals (e.g., incinerator ash) are described. The waste stream may include incinerator bottom ash, fly ash, or a combination thereof. A falling velocity separator is employed in combination with a centrifuge to separate and collect metals from the waste stream. The falling velocity separator uses a liquid to separate particles within incinerator ash according to the particles settling velocities. The centrifuge further separates particles from the incinerator ash according to density of the particles.

An apparatus for classifying particulate material includes at least one tank for receiving a feed slurry, a device for introducing water into a lower region of the at least one tank whereby water is caused to flow upwardly and through the feed slurry contained therein, whereby hydraulic separation takes place within the at least one tank with particles of lower settling velocity progressing upwardly and into a device for effecting discharge of an overflow fraction from the at least one tank, and particles of greater settling velocity progressing downwardly to a lower region of at least one tank, wherein the feed slurry is introduced into the at least one tank in an upwards direction.

A method of recycling a filler included in artificial turf by sorting the filler into two or more materials, including: a first sorting operation of sorting the two or more materials based on a grain size; and a second sorting operation of sorting the materials, which are sorted by the first sorting operation and have grain sizes belonging to a predetermined range, based on specific gravity.

Methods, devices, and systems that can be utilized in separating a polymer from other compounds of a polymer formation process are described. The methods utilize multiple sedimentors in a countercurrent flow design in conjunction with different solvent solutions in the multiple sedimentors to separate a product polymer from other compounds of a polymer formation process. The sedimentors include feed inlets that can encourage contact between countercurrent flows and improve mass transfer rates between the countercurrent flows.

This invention relates to a classifier for separating particles by size and density and a method of classifying particles by size and density. The classifier, which is also used in the method, includes an underflow outlet for conveying a first product out of the classifier; a fluidising means for introducing a fluidisation fluid into the classifier; a settling chamber for forming a hindered-settling zone, the settling chamber being in fluid flow communication with the fluidising means and the underflow outlet; a reflux chamber for forming a free-settling zone, the reflux chamber being in fluid flow communication with the settling chamber and having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the settling chamber; a launder in fluid flow communication with the reflux chamber for conveying a second product to an overflow outlet of the classifier; and an inlet conduit which projects into the classifier for introducing a feedstock into the classifier.

This invention relates to a classifier for separating particles by size and density and a method of classifying particles by size and density. The classifier, which is also used in the method, includes an underflow outlet for conveying a first product out of the classifier; a fluidising means for introducing a fluidisation fluid into the classifier; a settling chamber for forming a hindered-settling zone, the settling chamber being in fluid flow communication with the fluidising means and the underflow outlet; a reflux chamber for forming a free-settling zone, the reflux chamber being in fluid flow communication with the settling chamber and having a cross-sectional area larger than that of the settling chamber; a launder in fluid flow communication with the reflux chamber for conveying a second product to an overflow outlet of the classifier; and an inlet conduit which projects into the classifier for introducing a feedstock into the classifier.

Systems and methods for separating materials and recovery of valuable materials such as from end-of-life vehicles and appliances are disclosed. Vehicles are shredded and resulting pieces are dropped into a fluidic separator that separates the shredded vehicle scrap into heavier pieces and lighter pieces. The fluidic separator separates the bulk of the more valuable metals of the non-metals. The fluidic separator, which may be used for separating many kinds of mixtures of pieces of varying specific gravity, comprises a fluid-filled container in which the pieces and the fluid are stirred so that pieces of specific gravity greater than that of the fluid tend to sink and pieces of specific gravity less than that of the fluid tend to float.

A classifier and a method of separating material using such a classifier are disclosed. The classifier comprises a mixing chamber having a mixing fluidization floor and a concentration chamber having a concentration fluidization floor. The concentration fluidization floor and at least a portion of the concentration chamber is located below the mixing fluidization floor. The method of separating material using such a classifier comprises delivering material to be separated into a mixing chamber of the classifier, fluidizing the material in the mixing chamber; transferring some of the material to a concentration chamber of the classifier in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, fluidizing the material in the concentration chamber, forming a concentrating fluidized bed in the concentration chamber, separating the material with at least the concentrating fluidized bed and drawing heavier portions of the separated material from the concentration chamber.

A gravity separator that uses the upthrust of an upwardly flowing fluid to separate desired particulate from a material composite of a plurality of particulate is provided. The gravity separator may include a vertically oriented flow tube that is fluidly connected to an inlet tube, an outlet tube and a collection container, wherein the outlet tube is oriented upward from the inlet tube, which in turn is upward from the collection container. The inlet tube may receive a material composite including a plurality of non-desired particulate, conforming desired particulate and non-confirming desired particulate, which are subject to upthrust through the segment of the flow tube between the inlet tube and the outlet tube, the teetering chamber, so that only the conforming desired particulate sinks to the collection container.

A fluidized bed separator (1) includes a feed section (4) between an upper separation chamber (19) and a main separation chamber (6). The feed section (4) has one or more feed pipes (11) extending horizontally and transversely with respect to a body wall (10) of the fluidized bed separator (1). The one or more feed pipes (11) are positioned completely and entirely underneath the inclined plates (17). An external oversize protection apparatus (3) which is separate from and external to the body wall (10) may be operatively coupled to the one or more feed pipes (11). One or more lamella cartridges (49) may be provided within channels (18) of the upper separation chamber (19), and one or more breakaway plates (54, 55) may be inserted within channels (18) to prevent sanding and facilitate insertion and extraction of the lamella cartridges (49).