| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a floatation separation process which can realize advanced setting conditions for optimal size and amount of air bubbles in a suspension and can enhance the process efficiency, and to provide an apparatus for use in the process. <P>SOLUTION: In this process, impurities are separated from a suspension by separation and floatation. This process comprises introducing gas into a liquid to saturation and then expanding the liquid saturated with the gas to produce air bubbles. To realize advanced setting conditions for optimal size and amount of air bubbles in the suspension and to enhance the efficiency of the process, before the air bubble-containing liquid is mixed in the impurity-containing suspension, the liquid saturated with the gas is expanded solely. The apparatus for separating impurities from a suspension by floatation separation includes at least an apparatus in which, after the introduction of gas into the liquid to saturation, the liquid saturated with the gas is expanded, during which time air bubbles are produced, followed by mixing of the air bubble-containing liquid in the suspension and supply of the mixture to a floatation separation chamber. The apparatus for expanding the liquid is disposed at a position distant from the apparatus to mix the air bubble-containing liquid in the suspension and at a position distant from the floatation separation chamber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
