METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AGGLOMERATING HYDROPHOBIC PARTICLES

摘要

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for agglomerating hydrophobic particles from a feed slurry. The method comprises adding a binder to a feed stream and conveying the feed stream and binder to an agglomerating device. The binder comprises 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance. A high shear is applied to the feed stream and the binder in the agglomerating device to cause the hydrophobic particles to collide and bind to the binder, thereby agglomerating the hydrophobic particles. The agglomerated hydrophobic particles and the binder are removed from the feed stream. A method and apparatus for dewatering an agglomerated product is also provided, the agglomerated product comprising agglomerated hydrophobic particles held together by a binder comprising 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance.