| 摘要 |
An improved thickener feedwell (20) is described, having a substantially cylindrical surface (22), defining an inner wall of the feedwell, on which there are no shelves or other projections to impede or otherwise disturb the downward flow of feed slurry through the feedwell. An upper edge of the wall (22) defines a mouth (24) of the feedwell into which the slurry is fed via a feedpipe (26). An annular shelf 28 is provided at the mouth (24) of the feedwell, and has an inside diameter equal to the diameter of the mouth (24). The shelf (28) is provided with a substantially cylindrical retaining wall (30) having an inside diameter, which is larger than the mouth of the feedwell and substantially equal to an outer diameter of the shelf (28). Feed slurry discharged onto the shelf (28) flows over the shelf and is contained by the retaining wall (30) until it flows into the mouth (24) of the feedwell by fresh incoming feed slurry. By relocating the shelf (28) above the mouth of the feedwell, it does not restrict or impede the flow of slurry down through the feedwell as in prior art feedwells. The flow of the feed slurry down along the inner wall (22) of the feedwell is substantially streamlined and turbulence free, resulting in a more uniform discharge flow. Since the discharge out of the bottom of the feedwell is more even, more uniform settling and less disturbance to the bed below the feedwell can be achieved.
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