A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.

Apparatus is provided featuring an acoustic driver and a transducer. The acoustic driver is configured to provide an acoustic driver signal having a frequency that can be adjusted to yield a given wavelength, which in turn, will selectively capture a particular particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture or process flow. The transducer is configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency in order to yield the given wavelength that will selectively capture the particular particle size of the particles in the fluid, mixture or process flow, in order to determine the mass of the particles having the particular particle size in the fluid, mixture or process flow.

Apparatus is provided featuring an acoustic driver and a transducer. The acoustic driver is configured to provide an acoustic driver signal having a frequency that can be adjusted to yield a given wavelength, which in turn, will selectively capture a particular particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture or process flow. The transducer is configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency in order to yield the given wavelength that will selectively capture the particular particle size of the particles in the fluid, mixture or process flow, in order to determine the mass of the particles having the particular particle size in the fluid, mixture or process flow.

A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances comprises periodically carrying out a control routine to maximize froth stability during the operation of the cell. The control routine comprises changing the gas flow rate to the cell in a series of steps and assessing the froth stability at each gas flow rate and continuing the step changes in the gas flow rate until the froth stability is a peak froth stability or is within a predetermined range of the peak froth stability of the cell.

A method of controlling a froth flotation cell in a froth flotation circuit for separating substances comprises periodically carrying out a control routine to maximize froth stability during the operation of the cell. The control routine comprises changing the gas flow rate to the cell in a series of steps and assessing the froth stability at each gas flow rate and continuing the step changes in the gas flow rate until the froth stability is a peak froth stability or is within a predetermined range of the peak froth stability of the cell.

An extrusion system for separating soil entrained in wash water, e.g. from harvesting tuberous produce, includes a settling tank configured to receive a flow of soiled water, to allow soil to settle by gravity, and to allow clarified water collection at the top. A diffuser suspended within the tank converts the flow of soiled water into multiple transverse flows to avoid churning the settled soil. A sensor detects the level of settled soil reaching a predetermined setpoint, and in response the system actuates an auger and opens a pinch valve to force concentrated soil from the bottom of the settling tank.

A tamper-proof fluid sediment trap including a central body portion having a central longitudinal axis, an outlet leg portion, a drip leg portion, and a supply leg portion. The outlet leg portion extends upward from the central body portion parallel to the central longitudinal axis and is configured to operably couple to an appliance. The drip leg portion extends downward from the central body portion and defines a shape being resistant to threading or tapping of an outer surface or an inner surface of the drip leg portion. The supply leg portion is configured to couple to a fluid supply line, extends radially outward from the central body portion, between the outlet leg portion and the drip leg portion, and has a central longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the central body portion. The portions of the tamper-proof fluid sediment trap are monolithically formed.

A mineral recovery system for use in a mining operation is described. The mineral recovery system includes a mining operations model generated based on inputs of sensed conditions, wherein the mining operations model incorporates a thickener sub-model and a material sub-model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener controller to issue commands based on the mining operations model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener having a process water. The thickener also includes an underflow output provided with an underflow controller to adjust outflow of thickened slurry from the thickener based on issued commands. The thickener further includes an overflow output to dispense clarified water from the thickener.

A mineral recovery system for use in a mining operation is described. The mineral recovery system includes a mining operations model generated based on inputs of sensed conditions, wherein the mining operations model incorporates a thickener sub-model and a material sub-model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener controller to issue commands based on the mining operations model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener having a process water. The thickener also includes an underflow output provided with an underflow controller to adjust outflow of thickened slurry from the thickener based on issued commands. The thickener further includes an overflow output to dispense clarified water from the thickener.

A system and method for determining when a sand separator should be purged to remove solids from the sand separator. The system can include an acoustic sensor which detects the frequency of audible sound coming from the inner chamber of the vessel and generate a signature signal representative of the frequency of audible sound. There is a processor connected to the acoustic sensor and configured to compare the signature signal with a set frequency range of audible sound which in turn generates a signal indicating when he signature frequency and the set frequency are in overlapping relationship.