PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SOLID MIXTURES

摘要

An elutriation column is installed in a separation tank includes a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm and a second side overflow arm spaced above the first side feed arm. A solid feed mixture is fed through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column. Water forced upwardly from the tank at controlled velocity causes targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier materials to continue to sink. The floater materials flow from an outlet in the side of the separation tank into the recovery tank, where floater materials are screened and removed. From a discharge at lower end of the vertical separation column, the heavier sinker materials are removed from the separation tank. A mechanism is provided for purging undesirable materials that can cause plugging from the feed arm.