US3572930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring the degree of delocculation of a suspension of fine particles
Assignee: Imerys Minerals Ltd
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Filing: 1968-08-01
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Granted: 1971-03-30
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Expires: 1988-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and process for measuring and controlling the degree of deflocculation of a suspension of fine particles. The apparatus includes a centrifuge having two separate compartments into one of which there is introduced a portion of the suspension under examination and into the other of which there is introduced a further portion of the suspension under examination which has been treated with excess deflocculant so as to completely deflocculate said further portion. The compartments of the centrifuge are each provided with a window whereby light can be passed through the portions of the suspension thereunder. Photocells are employed to measure the optical densities, and thus the solids concentrations, of the parts of the suspension in the compartments through which the light is passed and this enables the degree of deflocculation of the suspension to be ascertained.
Inventors
- 👤 Archibald James Morcom
- 👤 Kenneth John Burr
- 👤 Terence Wilfrid Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/07; G01N15/00; G01N15/04; G01N15/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the centrifuge comprises two cooperating disc members arranged face-to-face, at least one of which is formed with two recesses which constitute the two separate compartments of the centrifuge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is provided means which enable the disc members to be separated whilst the centrifuge is in operation whereby the said compartments can be emptied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there are provided two truncated hollow cones arranged one within the other and coaxially with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge, one truncated hollow cone being in communication with one of said two separate compartments and the other truncated hollow cone being in communication with the other of said two separate compartments, the arrangement being such that said two separate compartments can be filled with suspensions of fine particles during operation of the centrifuge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said two separate compartments of the centrifuge has associated therewith a photocell which measures the optical density of the sample contained in said one compartment, and wherein the other of said two separate compartments of the centrifuge has associated therewith two photocells, one of which two photocells measures the optical density of the sample contained in said other compartment and the other of which two photocells acts as a ''''control photocell'''' which controls means whereby the amount of light incident on said two photocells can be adjusted to a substantially constant value which is independent of the original solids concentration of the sample contained in said other compartment.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus comprising a centrifuge having two separate compartments wherein the improvement comprises: a. said two separate compartments including two cooperating disc members arranged face-to-face, at least one of which if formed with recesses which constitute the separate compartments of the centrifuge; b. means to enable the disc members to be separated whilst the centrifuge is in operation whereby said compartments can be emptied; c. each of said two separate compartments being provided with a window, whereby light can be passed through material present in said compartments, and a photocell arranged so as to intercept the light passing through said window and the material in said compartment and to produce a signal corresponding to the optical density of material present in said compartment at a fixed distance from the axis of rotation of said centrifuge; d. means for comparing the signals obtained from the photocells; and e. two truncated hollow cones arranged one within the other and coaxially with the axis of rotation of the centrifuge, one truncated hollow cone being in communication with one of said separate compartments and the other truncated hollow cone being in communication with the other of said compartments, the arrangement being such that said compartments can be filled with suspensions of fine particles during operation of the centrifuge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means which enable the disc members to be separated whilst the centrifuge is in operation comprise spring means which is held under compression, in cavities formed in the two disc members, by the action of a plurality of hydraulic cylinders each containing a piston tending to urge the two disc members together when the two disc members are to be held together, and which spring means is allowed to return to its uncompressed state, thereby separating the two disc members, by the release of the hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic cylinders when ever the two disc members are to be separated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
A process for measuring the degree of deflocculation of a suspension of fine particles which process comprises separating said suspension into two portions, adding to one of said two portions a quantity of deflocculant sufficient to completely deflocculate said one portion, introducing the portions of said suspension one into each of two separate compartments of a centrifuge, said two compartments each being provided with a window, whereby light can be passed through the portion of said suspension therein, and each having associated therewith a photocell arranged so as to interrupt the light passing through said window and the suspension in said compartments and to produce a signal corresponding to the optical density of the portion of said suspension therein at a fixed distance from the axis of rotation of said centrifuge, centrifuging said two portions for a time dependent on the initial solids concentration of the suspension, passing light through said windows and through said two portions of the suspension, and measuring the optical densities of the two portions at said fixed distance from the axis of rotation of said centrifuge, whereby the degree of deflocculation of the original suspension can be determined.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the intensity of the light passing through said windows is adjusted to give a substantially constant incident light intensity on said photocells whatever the initial solids concentration of the portion of the suspension which is completely deflocculated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-29 | 1974-09-28 | 1975-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-29 | 1978-09-28 | 1979-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-29 | 1982-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |