A deflaker plate for a deflaker machine may include a substrate and a plurality of teeth extending from the substrate, wherein a specified number of teeth of the plurality of teeth have a serrated face.

A deflaker plate for a deflaker machine may include a substrate and a plurality of teeth extending from the substrate, wherein a specified number of teeth of the plurality of teeth have a serrated face.

The disclosed Hydro-Gravitational Trap (HGT) method and apparatus separate a suspension into two flow streams, discriminating particles based on a designated particle settling velocity: one Designated Particle Concentrated (DPC) and one Designated Particle Diluted (DPD). The HGT confines particles between a controlled upward hydrodynamic field and the downward net gravitational field within the apparatus’s High-Energy Segment (HES), awaiting removal. The HES typically contains an internal agitator conforming to its divergent shape. Agitator motion prevents trapped particles from adhering to the HES, provides flocculation energy, and mixes the contents, controlling the DPC flow stream concentration. The agitator can also simultaneously function as a control valve or an actuator regulating this flow in some preferred embodiments. Designated particles remain trapped in the HES until removed with the DPC flow stream while the DPD flow stream advects upward, exiting the apparatus through the top of the Low-Energy.sup.1 Segment (LES).

The disclosed Hydro-Gravitational Trap (HGT) method and apparatus separate a suspension into two flow streams, discriminating particles based on a designated particle settling velocity: one Designated Particle Concentrated (DPC) and one Designated Particle Diluted (DPD). The HGT confines particles between a controlled upward hydrodynamic field and the downward net gravitational field within the apparatus’s High-Energy Segment (HES), awaiting removal. The HES typically contains an internal agitator conforming to its divergent shape. Agitator motion prevents trapped particles from adhering to the HES, provides flocculation energy, and mixes the contents, controlling the DPC flow stream concentration. The agitator can also simultaneously function as a control valve or an actuator regulating this flow in some preferred embodiments. Designated particles remain trapped in the HES until removed with the DPC flow stream while the DPD flow stream advects upward, exiting the apparatus through the top of the Low-Energy.sup.1 Segment (LES).

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.

A deflaker plate for a deflaker machine may include a substrate and a plurality of teeth extending from the substrate, wherein a specified number of teeth of the plurality of teeth have a serrated face.

A deflaker plate for a deflaker machine may include a substrate and a plurality of teeth extending from the substrate, wherein a specified number of teeth of the plurality of teeth have a serrated face.

The disclosed Hydro-Gravitational Trap (HGT) method and apparatus separate a suspension into two flow streams, discriminating particles based on a designated particle settling velocity: one Designated Particle Concentrated (DPC) and one Designated Particle Diluted (DPD). The HGT confines particles between a controlled upward hydrodynamic field and the downward net gravitational field within the apparatus's High-Energy Segment (HES), awaiting removal. The HES typically contains an internal agitator conforming to its divergent shape. Agitator motion prevents trapped particles from adhering to the HES, provides flocculation energy, and mixes the contents, controlling the DPC flow stream concentration. The agitator can also simultaneously function as a control valve or an actuator regulating this flow in some preferred embodiments. Designated particles remain trapped in the HES until removed with the DPC flow stream while the DPD flow stream advects upward, exiting the apparatus through the top of the Low-Energy Segment (LES).

The disclosed Hydro-Gravitational Trap (HGT) method and apparatus separate a suspension into two flow streams, discriminating particles based on a designated particle settling velocity: one Designated Particle Concentrated (DPC) and one Designated Particle Diluted (DPD). The HGT confines particles between a controlled upward hydrodynamic field and the downward net gravitational field within the apparatus's High-Energy Segment (HES), awaiting removal. The HES typically contains an internal agitator conforming to its divergent shape. Agitator motion prevents trapped particles from adhering to the HES, provides flocculation energy, and mixes the contents, controlling the DPC flow stream concentration. The agitator can also simultaneously function as a control valve or an actuator regulating this flow in some preferred embodiments. Designated particles remain trapped in the HES until removed with the DPC flow stream while the DPD flow stream advects upward, exiting the apparatus through the top of the Low-Energy Segment (LES).