RU2792663C1 - Separator device and feeding system for increasing performance - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: separation.

SUBSTANCE: inventions relate to separators and their use. A separator with a fluidized layer is described, including a case wall forming: a fluidized layer section having a chamber for fluidizing fluid distribution and at least one fluidizing fluid inlet for fluidizing fluid introduction into the chamber for fluidizing fluid distribution, wherein the fluidized layer section contains an upper wall having fluidizing fluid outlets; the main separation chamber above the fluidized layer section for fluidized layer formation inside the main separation chamber by means of fluidizing fluid coming out of the chamber for fluidizing fluid distribution through fluidizing fluid outlets and coming to the main separation chamber; and an upper separation chamber above the main separation chamber, containing inclined plates, transverse bars, channels formed between inclined plates and transverse bars; and overflow gutters feeding a storage tank. The separator contains a feeding section located between the upper separation chamber and the main separation chamber and having one or more feeding pipes passing horizontally and across the case wall and entirely located under inclined plates, wherein one or more feeding pipes have outlets for introduction of raw material sludge into the feeding sections. A method for operation of the above-described separator is described, in which material of above-sieve fractions is removed from a box with a set of sieves, from a channel for above-sieve fractions, and/or from a pipe for removal of above-sieve fractions by means of a purge valve by periodic activation of a purge valve drive.

EFFECT: provision of processing with high performance.

13 cl, 17 dwg

Description

Technical field

Embodiments of the invention relate to an innovative fluidized bed separator (for example, a solids sorter adapted to separate solids by particle size and/or density, or a coarse flotation unit (flotation) adapted to separate solids by mineralogical composition) and a new power systems for it. Embodiments may be particularly useful for separating floating particles in high throughput processes (for example, processing 1 to 1200 cubic meters or more of slurry per hour in particular).

State of the art

Fluidized bed separators, such as those using FLSmidth®REFLUX®Classifier technology, have proven effective in separating size and/or density from incoming feed slurry. Unfortunately, these devices have some drawbacks.

For example, in existing fluidized bed separators, the process of mounting and/or dismounting thin plates (lamellae) can be difficult, time consuming and/or time consuming due to the accumulation of solid particles. Over time, deposits build up in the channels supporting the lamellae, which can significantly increase the pull-out resistance and the effort required to remove the lamellas from the upper separator chamber.

Conventional separator devices also need to be emptied periodically to perform routine cleaning and removal of particulates, including particulates accumulating in the internal oversized particulate (oversized) control device located inside the upper separator chamber. These maintenance operations typically require the separator to be shut down for an 8-hour shift every 1-4 weeks. Accordingly, there has long been a need to develop a new separator design that eliminates frequent downtime for cleaning equipment.

In addition, conventional fluidized bed separators typically include an integral supersize protection device installed inside the upper separator chamber, which also contains overflow troughs and inclined lamellas. This oversize protection device (as well as the traditional downward facing feed slurry channels also located in the upper separator chamber) restricts the upward flow of finer/less dense particles through the channels between the lamellas within the upper separator chamber.

Feeding the cuttings down within the upper separator chamber between and among the lamella plates also impedes the upward flow of material, thereby limiting separation efficiency and affecting the amount of material that can easily pass up into the overflow chutes. The total cross-sectional area of the flow through the upper separation chamber is reduced as the channels for the downward flow of the feed slurry and the oversize protection device occupy the internal volume.

Accordingly, current fluidized bed separators are somewhat limited in the amount of material they are able to process in a given period of time and are unable to operate at very high rates (e.g., feed slurry rates of up to 1200 cubic meters per hour or more) because flows through the lamella plates located in the upper separator chamber are blocked by raw sludge channels and the oversized fraction protection device.

Finally, the upward flow through the lamellas in conventional separators may be "not quite laminar" or may contain eddy currents in the lower portions of the upper separator chamber. In particular, turbulent flow may exist on the lower parts of the inclined plates inside the upper separation chamber. This turbulent flow region can adversely affect flow, decrease efficiency, and/or increase wear near the bottoms of the ramps and sipes.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to overcoming at least one, some or all of the above disadvantages of conventional separators.

Objectives of the invention

According to some embodiments, a particle separation device is required, in particular one capable of high throughput processing.

In accordance with some embodiments, a particle separator is required that provides, in particular, continuous, real-time operation of the plant, removal of particles of oversized fractions by washing to reduce equipment downtime.

According to some embodiments, a particle separator is required, in particular with an increased flow area within the upper separator chamber.

In accordance with some embodiments, a particle separator is required in which the feeder and supersize protector are separated from the upper separator chamber and removed to free up space in the chamber for improved upflow.

In accordance with some embodiments, in particular, a particle separator is required that is characterized by less turbulent and smoother, more laminar flow between and around the lamellas within the upper separator chamber.

According to some embodiments, in particular, a particle separator is required, including means for easily removing and replacing worn and broken lamella plates.

These and other objectives of the present invention will be apparent from reading the drawings and description. It appears that while each object of the invention can be solved by at least one embodiment of the invention, each individual embodiment of the invention does not necessarily solve all the objects of the invention.

Disclosure of invention

The fluidized bed separator (1) may include a housing wall (10) and a fluidized bed section (7) having at least one inlet (9) for introducing the fluidizing fluid into the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber (25). In some embodiments, the fluidization fluid may contain a particle size and/or density sorting fluid. In some embodiments, the fluidization medium may contain a liquid (including a flotation reagent) and/or a gas, such as air, to float large particles and separate particles by mineralogical composition.

The fluidized bed section (7) may include a top wall/panel having a plurality of fluidizing fluid outlets (26). The fluidized bed separator (1) may further have a main separation chamber (6) above the fluidized bed section (7) for forming a fluidized bed inside the main separation chamber (6) by fluidizing fluid leaving the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber (25) through outlets (26) of the fluidizing fluid and entering the main separation chamber (6). The fluidized bed separator (1) may also comprise an upper separator chamber (19) having several inclined plates (17), cross bars (39) and channels (18) formed between the inclined plates (17) and the cross bars (39). Inside the upper separator chamber (19), one or more overflow chutes (15) can be installed, which can be directed into the storage tank - bowl (21).

The fluidized bed separator (1) may differ in that it also includes a feed section (4) located between the upper separator chamber (19) and the main separator chamber (6). The feeding section (4) may contain one or more feeding tubes (11). One or more feed pipes (11) can run horizontally and transversely relative to the wall (10) of the housing. For example, one or more feed tubes (11) may be located entirely under the inclined plates (17) (i.e., so that one or more feed tubes (11) are not located inside the upper separator chamber (19)).

In some embodiments, one or more feed pipes (11) may contain at least one stepped constriction (22). For example, the diameter of one or more feed pipes (11) may decrease in one place or in several places within the feed section (4).

In some embodiments, one or more feed pipes (11) may have multiple outlets (23) for introducing raw sludge into the feed section (4). The drawings show that in some embodiments, the outlets (23) may be positioned to introduce the feed sludge into the feed section (4) in a generally horizontal direction, generally transverse to the vertical axis of the fluidized bed separator (1). In other words, one or more feed pipes (11) can be adapted to distribute raw sludge in the feed section (4) in the transverse direction (for example, radially outward) towards the housing wall (10) and the inner perimeter of the feed section (4), rather than vertically down inside the upper separator chamber (19), as is usually done.

It should be understood that the outlets (23) can be, in particular, in some embodiments, the implementation is located at different angles from the "essentially" horizontal position, or "slightly" horizontal, to even vertical. For example, the outlets (23) of the feed pipe (11) may extend, in particular, at an angle of about 30 degrees from the horizontal (i.e., sideways and slightly down) to a position vertically upwards (i.e., plus 90 degrees from the horizontal and parallel to the vertical axis of the fluidized bed separator (1). For some applications, it may be desirable to use the layout of the outlets (23) so that their position and orientation ensure that the feed slurry introduced into the feed section (4) has a vertically upward velocity component. While the outlets (23) are all shown oriented strictly horizontally, the scope of the invention allows for some angular deviations from a perfectly horizontal direction.

The outlets (23) on the supply pipe (11) may be oriented at different angles relative to each other, or they may all be oriented at the same angle, as shown in the drawing. Moreover, while more than one outlet (23) may be shown oriented in exactly opposite directions from each other at some point along the supply pipe (11), it appears that the outlets (23) may be offset so that that in one place along the feed pipe (11) there is no more than one outlet (23). It also seems that the outlets (23) located at the same place along the feed pipe (11) do not have to be diametrically opposed, as shown in the drawing. Moreover, more than two outlets (23) can be imagined in one place along the supply pipe (11). In addition, while the outlets (23) are shown to extend orthogonally to the feed tubes (11), in alternative embodiments, the outlets (23) may not extend perpendicular to the feed tubes (11).

In some embodiments, with the fluidized bed separator (1), an external supersize protection device (3) can be used, separated from and located separately from the housing wall (10). In other words, unlike conventional separators, the upper separator chamber (19) of the fluidized bed separator (1) may not have an oversize protection device.

An external supersize protection device (3) can be connected to either side of the upper separator chamber (19), but in the attached drawings it is shown adjacent to the collection bowl (21). As will be shown below, the feed pipe plugs (36) shown can be removed to install an external supersize protection device (3) on the opposite side of the separation chamber (19) from that shown in the drawing. In such an embodiment, the plug (36) of the feed pipe can be moved to the opposite side of the fluidized bed separator (1) and the breather lines (14) can either be extended to span the width of the upper separation chamber (19) or the lines (14) the breather can be, in particular, connected with the possibility of transferring fluid to another part of the upper separation chamber (19), for example, channels (18).

The external device (3) for protecting against supersieve fractions may include a box (12) with a set of sieves, an inlet (13) into a box (12) with a set of sieves, one or more sorting sieves (38) (for example, two inclined sieves inside a box with a set of sieves), an unloading tray (30) for oversized fractions (for example, formed by two side panels (31) of the tray, the top plate (47) of the tray and the end plate (32) of the tray). An oversize discharge pipe (33) may be connected to the oversize discharge chute (30) for removing oversize particles and preventing oversize particles from entering one or more feed tubes (11).

In some embodiments, the external supersize protection device (3) may include a main chamber (41) above one or more sorting screens (38) and above the supersize discharge chute (30). The outer oversize protection device (3) may also include a sorted fraction chamber (42) located under one or more sorting screens (38) and below the oversize chute (30). The main chamber (41) and the chamber (42) for sorted fractions can be formed by a box (12) with a set of sieves.

In some embodiments, the external oversize protection device (3) may include a deflector (40) adjacent to the bottom (43) of the box (12) with a set of sieves for separating and distributing the sludge equally over the two feed pipes (11). As should be clear from the drawings, the lower part of the chamber (42) of the sorted fractions of the external device (3) protection against supersized fractions can be formed by the bottom (43) of the box (12) with a set of sieves and/or a deflecting element (40).

In some embodiments, the external supersieve protection device (3) may also include one or more removable top access panels (37) that can close hatches in the box (12) with a set of sieves. When using one or more removable panels (37 ) top access, in particular, cleaning or maintenance of the box (12) with a set of sieves, the channel (30) for oversized fractions and/or one or more sorting sieves (38) is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the external supersize protection device (3) may include a purge valve (45) and a purge valve actuator (44) to remove supersize material from the supersize removal pipe (33).

In some embodiments, the external supersize protection device (3) may include at least one purge inlet (34, 46), in particular, to purge solid particles from the channel (tray) (30) for supersize fractions and/ or from the pipe (33) removal of oversized fractions. In some embodiments, the external supersize protection device (3) may include at least one breather conduit (14) fluidly connected to a collection cup (21) within the upper separation chamber (19). However, for the embodiments shown here, the external supersize protection device (3) is installed, in contrast to that shown in the drawings, on the other side of the upper separator chamber (19), and at least one breather pipeline (14) can be, in in particular, associated with the transfer of fluid with one or more parts of the upper separator chamber (19), for example, channels (18).

In some embodiments, the fluidized bed separator (1) may have a conical housing section (5) below the feed section (4) and above the main separation chamber (6). The conical section (5) of the body can, in particular, increase the relative cross-sectional area of the feed section (4) and/or the upper separation chamber (19) in comparison with the cross-sectional area of the main separation chamber (6) and the fluidized bed section (7). In this case, a larger number of channels (18) can be used inside the upper separator chamber (19) to improve the sorting efficiency.

In some embodiments, at least one lamellar cartridge (49) can be placed in each of the channels (18) formed between the inclined plates (17) and the cross bars (39). This at least one lamella cartridge (49) may contain several parallel, evenly spaced lamellas (51). At least one lamellar cartridge (49) can, as shown in FIG. 11 be characterized by height (h), width (w) and thickness (t). These dimensions of the lamellar cartridge (49) are preferably associated with the size and/or shape of the channels (18) between the inclined plates (17) and the cross bars (39).

In some embodiments, the lamellae (51) may be metal and may be welded together at the welded portion (52).

In some embodiments, the implementation of at least one lamella cartridge (49) may, in particular, have an inclined section (50). In some embodiments, at least one lamellar cartridge may, in particular, contain an element (53) for removal or installation.

In some embodiments, the fluidized bed separator (1) may have at least one separable plate (54, 55) in at least one of the channels (18). In some embodiments, each channel (18) may contain at least one separable plate (54, 55). At least one separable plate (54, 55) can be configured to prevent sanding in at least one or channels (18). The at least one releasable plate (54, 55) may also alternatively be adapted to facilitate removal of the lamellar cartridge (49) from the channel (18) by creating free space when it is removed from the channel (18).

In some embodiments, at least one release plate (54, 55) may comprise a polymeric material (eg, plastic, hard rubber, or a polymer, eg, polyurethane or polyethylene). For example, the releasable plates (54, 55) described herein may in particular contain a low density or high density polyethylene material. It is also envisaged that the at least one releasable plate (54, 55) may, in particular, comprise materials such as, for example, cermets or other metallic substrates, such as stainless steel.

In some embodiments, the first release plate (54) and the second release plate (55) may be inserted into one of the channels (18) as shown in FIG. 14-17. In some embodiments, the first releasable plate (54) and the second releasable plate (55) may contact each other along mating inclined interfaces (59). In some embodiments, the second release plate (55) may be L-shaped. For example, the second releasable plate (55) may in particular have a saddle (60) on which the first releasable surface (54) rests. In some embodiments, the bottom of one, some, or all of the inclined plates (17) may have a vertically oriented flow lead-in (24). In preferred embodiments, each inclined plate (17) has its own vertically oriented flow inlet (24).

The fluidized bed separator (1) may have a support frame (8) which can be used for transport and assembly, and optionally can be removed after installation in the plant or commissioning. However, the support frame (8) or parts thereof can in particular remain attached to support parts of the fluidized bed separator (1).

Next, consider the assembly method of the separator (1) with a fluidized bed. The method may include the steps of inserting one or more lamellar cartridges (49) into one or more of the channels (18). In this case, the lamellas can be quickly and easily inserted into the channels (18) of the upper separator chamber (19) and removed from them, with strict adherence to tolerances, gaps and parallelism between the lamellas. In some embodiments, the method may include the step of inserting one or more separable plates (54, 55) into one or more of the channels (18). In some embodiments, the method may include the step of introducing one or more feed tubes (11) into the feed section (4) below the upper separator chamber (19) and below the inclined plates (17) but above the fluidized bed section (7).

The method of operation of the separator (1) with a fluidized bed may include a step during which the material of the supersized fractions is removed from the box (12) with a set of sieves, the channel (30) for the supersized fractions and/or the pipe (33) for removing the supersized fractions through the purge valve ( 45). This can be done by periodically activating the purge valve actuator (44). The method may also include the step of introducing a purge fluid through the first (34) and/or second (46) purge fluid inlet to facilitate the removal of supersieve material, in particular from the box (12) with a set of sieves, channel/tray (30) for oversized fractions and/or pipes (33) for removing oversized fractions.

Brief description of the drawings

As a supplement to the description and to improve the understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings illustrating a preferred particular embodiment of the separator 1 and its components is attached as an integral part to the present disclosure, which is described below in an illustrative and non-limiting manner. It is noted that used in the drawings, the same reference numbers can identify the same components. On the drawings:

in fig. 1 shows one non-limiting embodiment of a fluidized bed separator 1 according to the invention. For clarity of presentation, the top cover of the fluidized bed separator 1 is not shown in the drawings;

in fig. 2 is a sectional view of the fluidized bed separator 1 shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the image of FIG. 2 showing more clearly the vertically oriented flow inlets and stepped constrictions 22 and outlets 23 of the feed pipes 11;

in fig. 4 is another isometric view of the separator 1 shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 5 is a first sectional view of FIG. 4;

in fig. 6 shows a second section to the view in FIG. 4 orthogonal to the section shown in FIG. 5;

in fig. 7 shows another sectional view of the fluidized bed separator 1 shown in FIG. 1;

in fig. 8-10 show different sections of the outer supersize protector 3 of the fluidized bed separator 1 shown in FIG. 1-7;

in fig. 11-13 show various embodiments of the lamellar cartridge 49 according to non-limiting particular embodiments;

in fig. 14 shows one particular embodiment of releasable plates 54, 55 that can be installed in the channels 18 to prevent sanding and to facilitate removal of the lamellar cartridges 49 from the channels 18 in the upper separation chamber 19;

in fig. 15-17 show various views of the releasable plates 54, 55 installed inside the channels 18 of the upper separator chamber 19, in accordance with a particular embodiment.

The following is a more detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings in relation to private options for implementation.

Detailed description of the invention

Below, with reference to FIG. 1-17, a fluidized bed separator (1) is shown, configured to sort or separate solid particles according to their size and/or density.

It should be understood that the fluidized bed separator (1) described here can also be successfully used to separate solid materials according to their mineralogical composition and can therefore be used in coarse particle flotation processes. To do this, a reagent having a binding action selective to the properties of minerals is introduced so as to make certain solid particles in the raw sludge hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and a gas, such as air, is introduced into one or more fluidizing fluid inlets 9, the distribution chamber 25 fluidizing fluid outlet(s), fluidizing fluid outlet(s) 26, main separation chamber 6, feed(s) tubes 11, inlet 13, external supersize protector 3, or any combination thereof. It should also be borne in mind that other equivalent forms of pre-contact of a gas, such as air, with the feed slurry introduced into the fluidized bed separator 1 can be imagined. Here, the target minerals in the feed slurry introduced into the fluidized bed separator 1 can be separated from the gangue and discharged through the collection bowl 21 (for example, during conventional coarse flotation) or through the downcomer 27 (for example, during process of reverse flotation of large particles).

The fluidized bed separator 1 may include an upper end 2 and a lower end 20, and have an imaginary vertical axis extending from the upper end 2 to the lower end 20. The fluidized bed separator 1 may include a support frame 8 located under the fluidized bed section 7. The support frame 8 can be used for transport and assembly and, if necessary, removed after installation in the plant or commissioning. However, the support frame (or parts thereof) can in particular remain attached to support parts of the fluidized bed separator 1 .

The fluidized bed section 7 may have at least one fluidizing fluid inlet 9 connected to fluidizing fluid distribution chamber 25 . Preferably, two (or more) fluidizing fluid inlets 9 can be used in particular.

The fluidizing fluid inlets 9 can be adapted to receive liquid and/or gas, such as process water and/or compressed air.

To perform sorting, the fluidizing fluid inlets 9 of the fluidized bed separator 1 can be adapted to receive liquids.

In order to use the fluidized bed separator 1 as a coarse particle skimmer, special fluidizing fluid inlets 9 can in particular be used to separately introduce gas or liquid into the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber 25 . In such embodiments, one or more of the fluidizing fluid inlets 9 may in particular be in the form of an air distributor. Alternatively, one or more of the fluidizing fluid inlets 9 may be configured to entrain the gas in the liquid. The fluidizing fluid inlet 9 may in particular be configured to transfer both gas and liquid to the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber 25 .

Above the fluidized bed section 7 is a main separation chamber 6. The fluidizing fluid distribution chamber 25 can be separated from the main separation chamber 6 by a wall having a plurality of fluidizing fluid outlets 26 . The fluidizing fluid outlets 26 may be orifices, nozzles, sprinklers, combinations thereof, or other similar fluid transfer devices for transferring the fluidizing fluid from the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber 25 to the main separation chamber 6.

Above the main separator chamber 6 is a conical housing section 5 in which the housing wall 10 of the fluidized bed separator 1 at its upper end expands radially outward. Although not specifically shown, in some applications this conical body section 5 can, in particular, on the contrary taper radially inwards so that its upper end is narrower than its lower end.

Above the conical section 5 of the body is a feed section 4 having one or more horizontally arranged feed pipes 11. The feed pipes 11 receive sludge from the external oversize protection device 3, which is then transferred to the feed section 4 of the fluidized bed separator 1. The feed pipes 11 can be closed at the ends, in particular by the housing wall 10 or by feed pipe plugs 36, as shown in the drawings. The plugs 36 may be removable to allow access and internal cleaning of the feed tubes 11.

As shown, each supply pipe 11 may include one or more stepped constrictions 22 to reduce its overall cross section. The stepped constrictions 22 allow uniform distribution of flow through the outlets 23 present in the feed pipes 11. The outlets 23 differ from conventional feed channels in that they direct the incoming sludge through the fluidized bed separator 1 horizontally (and/or upward inward) under the inclined plates. 17 rather than downward between the ramps 17. The outlets 23 may be angled other than strictly horizontal and may therefore be adapted to introduce cuttings into the feed section 4 with some downward and/or upward velocity component. As shown above, the outlet openings 23 can in particular be oriented vertically upwards, directing the flow of sludge towards the upper separator chamber 19 located above the feed section 4. One or more feed pipes 11 can be used in the feed section 4. For example, it can be, in particular, two pipes, as shown in the described embodiment.

On top of the feed section 4 is an upper separation chamber 19 containing one or more overflow chutes 15 which feed the collection bowl 21. The collection bowl 21 has a collection bowl outlet 35 . The overflow chute(s) 15 is equipped with overflow baffles that intercept the overflow stream containing particles of smaller size and/or density and direct them to the storage bowl 21. In turn, the lower overflow pipe 27 located at the bottom of the fluidized bed separator 1, diverts particles of larger size and/or density from the main separator chamber 6.

The downcomer 27 can be used to remove supersized particles when the fluidized bed separator 1 is used as a screening device. If the fluidized bed separator 1 is used as a coarse flotation unit, the downcomer 27 can be used to remove the target mineral or gangue (depending on whether the normal or reverse flotation process is used). The downcomer 27 may be fitted with a gate valve or cone valve having a mating seat to limit the downflow of material exiting the fluidized bed separator 1 through the bottom downcomer 27.

The upper separator chamber 19 may also include a plurality of inclined plates 17 and cross bars 39 extending generally perpendicular to the inclined plates 17, thereby forming inclined channels 18 therebetween. Each of the channels 18 is adapted to pass fluid and particles upward. Each of the channels 18 is made with the possibility of introducing one or more lamellar cartridges 49 into them. To reduce turbulence, the formation of vortices and wear, at the bottom of the inclined plates 17, from the inclined plates 17 vertically oriented lead-in petals 24 for flow can depart vertically downwards, as follows shown in the drawings, forming an obtuse angle with the corresponding inclined plates. Each lobe 24 may assist in guiding the flow of fluid in the supply section 4 upwards into the adjacent channel 18 before the direction of flow is reversed and fluid enters between the lamellas 51 within that channel 18. By adding the lobe 24 to the ramp 17, one can in particular , reduce the wear of this plate 17 and improve the overall efficiency of the fluidized bed separator 1. In addition, the petals can streamline the flow into the channels 18, aligning the flows between the channels.

Each lamella cartridge 49 may comprise several lamellae 51 stacked in parallel and at regular intervals.

The slats 51 may be connected to each other using known mechanical means, such as fasteners (eg, bolts, nuts, and spacers) or welding section 52 (eg, having welds) as shown in the drawings. The slats 51 are preferably made of metal, but some of the slats may also be made of other materials. The sipes 51 may in particular be lined or glossy coated with another material to increase wear resistance and/or change frictional properties. For example, the lamellas 51 may be dipped in a urethane or rubber coating, or they may be coated or metallized with a low friction material such as diamond-like carbon (DLC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or similar.

Cartridges 49 may include one or more elements 53 for removal or installation, for example, a hole for a hook or cable for lowering the cartridge into a corresponding channel 18 within the upper separator chamber 19 or removing it from there. In addition, due to the inclined geometry of the channels 18, the lamellar cartridges 49 may in particular comprise an inclined section 50. Each lamellar cartridge 49 may be characterized by a height h, a width w and a thickness t, preferably associated with the dimensions and/or geometry of the channels 18 in upper separator chamber 19.

In some embodiments, some or all of the channels 18 may have a release plate holder 16 or a mounting pad for receiving one or more release plates 45, 55. For example, as shown in FIG. 14-17, the first releasable plate 54 and the second releasable plate 55 may, in particular, be inserted into the channel 18. Like the lamella cartridges 49, each releasable plate 54, 55 may also have one or more element(s) 56 for extraction or installation, for example, a hole for a hook or cable for lowering the release plate 54, 55 into the corresponding channel 18 inside the upper separation chamber 19 or removing it from there.

Each releasable plates 54, 55 may have an upper end 57 and a lower end 58. As shown in the illustration of a particular embodiment shown in the drawings, the first 54 and second 55 releasable plates may each have a mating complementary inclined surface(s) 59 of the joint. One of the releasable plates (eg, second releasable plate 55) may be L-shaped and have a saddle 60. The shape of the saddle 60 may be chosen such that the saddle can support another releasable plate (e.g., support the first releasable plate 54).

The releasable plates 54, 55 are preferably made of a polymeric material (e.g., polyurethane or polyethylene, e.g., low density polyethylene LDPE, high density polyethylene HDPE, or UHMWPE) and are used to fill voids where sanding and particulate accumulation typically occurs. Thus, when the separable plates 54, 55 are removed, voids are formed in the channel 18, creating enough space for easy removal (or insertion) of low friction lamella cartridges in this channel 18.

Outside the wall 10 of the housing close to the upper separator chamber 19, to the side of it, an external device 3 for protection against supersized fractions can be located. The outer oversize protection device 3 may include a box 12 with a set of sieves having an upper inlet 13 for receiving raw slurry. As shown in the drawings, on the side or top of the box 12 with a set of sieves may be several panels 37 top access, preferably removable. Panels 37 can be removed, in particular, to perform routine inspection, maintenance and/or cleaning.

The sludge enters the inlet 13 and enters the main chamber 41 of the box 12 with a set of sieves, where it is distributed. Within the main chamber 41 may be one or more horizontal plates or baffles 28 to divert flow and/or reduce the feed rate to the inlet 13. Below the main chamber 41 is a chamber 42 for sorted fractions. The main chamber 41 is separated from the sorted fractions chamber 42 by one or more sorting screens 38 and a discharge chute 30 for oversized fractions. As shown in the drawings, one or more sorting screens 38 may include a plurality of inclined screens 38 guiding supersize material (e.g., overscreen) to the supersize discharge chute 30 and ultimately to the supersize discharge tube 33. Controlled removal of supersize material from the supersize discharge chute 30 and supersize discharge pipe 33 can be achieved by using a purge valve 45 (e.g., a knife gate valve or ball valve) actuated by a purge valve actuator 44 (e.g., a solenoid, a hydraulic cylinder, etc.). P.).

The oversize discharge chute 30 may extend across the vertical section of the sieve box 12, as shown in the drawings, and may protrude from the sieve box 12. The oversized discharge chute 30 may be formed by the chute side panels 31, the chute end plate 32, the chute top plate 47 (for example, if protruding from the screen box 12), and the sloped floor 29. In some embodiments, the sloped floor 29 of the discharge chute 30 for oversieve fractions, in particular, there may be a smooth hard surface, or it may be a secondary sieve. The sorting screens 38 may be designed to limit the size of the material received from the inlet 13 into the chamber 42 for sorted fractions. The feed pipe(s) 11 are operatively connected and in fluid communication with the sorted fractions chamber 42, and therefore, particles larger than the mesh size of the screens 38 will not be able to pass into the feed section 4. On the bottom 43 of the box 12 with a set of sieves may be a deflecting element 40, for example, between the feed pipes, as shown in the drawings, to equally divide and/or distribute the sludge material inside the chamber 42 for sorted fractions into the feed pipes 11 supplying the feed section 4. The diverter 40 can, in particular, reduce the risk of sanding around the inlets to the feed pipes 11.

The outer supersize protector 3 may include one or more side supports 48 for attaching it. A support or load-bearing structure (not shown) may be attached to the supports 48 to hold the outer supersize protector 3 . This device may also include one or more breather lines 14 in the form of pipes extending from the tops of the box 12 with a set of sieves. One or more breather lines 14 may be in fluid communication with the storage cup 21 to allow air to escape from the system and reduce the uncontrolled amount of air within the fluidized bed separator 1 under normal operating conditions. The breather lines 14 can serve as a safety device to prevent excessive pressurization of parts of the fluidized bed separator 1, and can also serve as a driving head for an external supersize protector 3 that is filled with material during operation.

Periodic, non-stop operation, cleaning/desanding of the external supersize protector 3 may be accomplished by activating the purge valve actuator 44 opening the purge valve 45. The purge fluid may be supplied to the first purge fluid inlet 34 and/or the second inlet. a purge fluid port 46 into or around the supersize discharge chute 30 or supersize discharge tube 33 .

It should be understood that the specific features, functions, method steps, and possible advantages shown and described in detail herein are essentially illustrative only and do not limit the spirit and/or scope of the invention.

For example, although not shown for clarity of presentation, it should be understood that the upper separator chamber 19 may have a cover, a top cap, or a plug to provide an enclosed fluidized bed separator 1 system.

Moreover, while the invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments and uses, those skilled in the art, having read this disclosure, may form other embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing drawings and description are provided as an example to assist in the understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope.

List of reference symbols

1 Fluidized bed separator (e.g. particle size and/or density sorter or coarse particle skimmer)

2 top end

3 External oversize protection device

4 Power section

5 Tapered body section

6 Main separation chamber (for example, an autogenous dense separation chamber)

7 Fluidized bed section (e.g. fluidized bed separator section)

8 Base frame

9 Fluidizing fluid inlet(s)

10 Housing wall

11 Supply pipe(s)

12 Box with a set of sieves

13 Inlet

14 Breather pipe(s) (e.g. air outlet pipe)

15 Overflow channel(s)

16 Release plate holder

17 Inclined plate(s)

18 Channel(s)

19 Upper separator chamber (e.g. lamella separator)

20 Lower end

21 Storage container/bowl

22 Stepped narrowing(s)

23 Outlet(s) (e.g., may be generally horizontal, vertically up, or angled from 30 degrees down from horizontal to vertically up/90 degrees above horizontal)

24 Vertically oriented lead-in lobe(s) for flow

25 Fluidizing distribution chamber

26 Fluidizing fluid outlet(s)

27 Downspout (e.g. for draining oversized material)

28 Horizontal plate(s) or baffle(s)

29 Sloped floor (e.g. solids sieve or secondary sieve)

30 Discharge chute for supersized fractions

31 Tray side panel(s)

32 Tray end plate

33 Oversieve discharge pipe

34 First purge fluid inlet

35 Outlet of the collection bowl/container

36 Feed pipe plug(s)

37 Top access panel (e.g. removable)

38 One or more sorting screens (e.g. inclined screens)

39 Crossbar(-)

40 Deflecting element(s)

41 Main camera

42 Chamber for sorted fractions

43 Box bottom with a set of sieves

44 Purge valve actuator (e.g. solenoid, hydraulic cylinder)

45 Purge valve (e.g. knife gate valve)

46 Second purge fluid inlet

47 Tray top plate

48 Side support(s)

49 Lamellar cartridge(s)

50 Inclined section

51 Lamel

52 Weld section (e.g. one or more welds)

53 Item to remove or install

54 First release plate

55 Second split plate

56 Item(s) to extract/install

57 Upper end of split plate(s)

58 Lower end of split plate(s)

59 Inclined interface(s)

60 saddle

h lamella cartridge height

w lamellar cartridge width

t the thickness of the lamellar cartridge.

Claims (13)

1. A fluidized bed separator (1), comprising a body wall (10), forming: a fluidized bed section (7), having a fluidizing fluid distribution chamber (25) and at least one fluidizing fluid inlet (9), for introducing a fluidizing medium into a fluidizing fluid distribution chamber (25), the fluidized bed section (7) comprising a top wall having fluidizing fluid outlets (26); the main separation chamber (6) above the fluidized bed section (7) to form a fluidized bed inside the main separation chamber (6) by means of the fluidizing fluid leaving the fluidizing fluid distribution chamber (25) through the outlets (26) of the fluidizing fluid and entering into the main separation chamber (6); and an upper separation chamber (19) above the main separation chamber (6) containing inclined plates (17), cross bars (39), channels (18) formed between inclined plates (17) and cross bars (39); and overflow gutters (15) supplying the storage tank (21), characterized in that it additionally contains a supply section (4) located between the upper separation chamber (19) and the main separation chamber (6) and having one or more supply pipes ( 11), passing horizontally and transversely through the wall (10) of the housing and located entirely and completely under the inclined plates (17), and one or more feed pipes (11) have outlets (23) for introducing raw sludge into the feed section (4) . 2. The separator according to claim 1, in which one or more feed pipes (11) have at least one stepped narrowing (22), and the diameter of one or more feed pipes (11) decreases inside the feed section (4). 3. Separator according to any of the previous paragraphs, additionally including an external device (3) for protection against supersieve fractions, separate and external relative to the wall (10) of the housing, containing a box (12) with a set of sieves, an inlet (13), one or more sorting screens (38), an oversize discharge chute (30), and an oversize discharge pipe (33) in communication with the oversize discharge chute (30) to remove particles of the oversize fraction and prevent passage of the oversize particles into one or more feed tubes ( eleven). 4. The separator according to claim. 3, in which the external device (3) protection against supersize fractions includes a main chamber (41) located above one or more sorting sieves (38) and above an unloading tray (30) for supersize fractions, and a chamber ( 42) for sorted fractions, located below one or more sorting sieves (38) and an unloading chute (30) for oversized fractions. 5. The separator according to claim 3 or 4, in which the external device (3) for protecting against oversized fractions includes a deflecting element (40) adjacent to the bottom (43) of the box (12) with a set of sieves, for separating and distributing the sludge equally over two supply pipes (11). 6. The separator according to any one of paragraphs. 3-5, in which the external device (3) protection against supersieve fractions additionally includes one or more removable top access panels (37), closing the hatches in the box (12) with a set of sieves, and one or more removable top access panels (37) facilitate cleaning or maintenance of the box (12) with a set of sieves, the channel (30) for supersieve fractions and/or one or more sorting sieves (38). 7. The separator according to any one of paragraphs. 3-6, wherein the outer supersize protection device (3) further includes a purge valve (45) and a purge valve actuator (44) for removing supersize material from the supersize discharge pipe (33). 8. The separator according to any one of paragraphs. 3-7, wherein the outer supersize protection device (3) further comprises at least one purge fluid inlet (34, 46) for purge removal of solid particles from the supersize channel (30) and/or from pipes (33) for removal of supersieve fractions. 9. The separator according to any one of paragraphs. 3-8, in which the external supersize protection device (3) additionally includes at least one breather pipeline (14) in fluid communication with the storage tank (21) or channels (18) of the upper separator chamber (19). 10. Separator according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a conical section (5) of the body, located under the section (4) feed and above the main separation chamber (6). 11. A separator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein some or all of the inclined plates (17) are connected from below with a vertically oriented flow inlet (24). 12. Method of operation of the separator (1) fluidized bed according to any one of paragraphs. 3-11, in which the material of supersized fractions is removed from the box (12) with a set of sieves, from the channel (30) for supersized fractions and / or from the pipe (33) for removing supersized fractions by means of a purge valve (45) by periodically activating the drive (44) purge valve. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising introducing a purge fluid through the first (34) and/or second (46) purge fluid inlet to assist in the removal of supersized material from the box (12) with the set of sieves, from channel (30) for oversize fractions and/or from the pipe (33) removal of oversize fractions.

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