Process and apparatus for continuous mixing of slurry with removal of entrained bubbles

Abstract

The present system comprises an apparatus and a process for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid. The apparatus comprises a mixer that has at least on inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid and an outlet. The mixer further comprises a barrel that has an inlet for accepting the fine particles and an outlet for dispersing the fine particles and tank for holding the liquid. The tank has a top surface in which the barrel is disposed such that the outlet of the barrel is disposed under the surface of the liquid. An inlet of a vacuum centrifuge is coupled to the outlet of the mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles. A surge tank is coupled to an outlet of the vacuum centrifuge, wherein the mixture is dispersed from an outlet of the surge tank.

1 . An apparatus for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising: 
 a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid and an outlet, wherein said mixer further comprises:    a barrel having an inlet for accepting said fine particles and an outlet for dispersing said fine particles;    a tank for holding said liquid in which said outlet of said barrel is disposed such that said outlet is dispersing said fine particles at least one of either at and under the surface of said liquid;    a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet coupled to said outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles; and    a surge tank coupled to an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from an outlet of said surge tank.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a pump coupled between said outlet of said mixer and said inlet of said vacuum centrifuge  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a anti-backflow device coupled between said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge and said inlet of said surge tank.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a means for both transferring said mixture to further processes and recirculating said mixture to said inlet of said surge tank coupled to said outlet of said surge tank.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising: 
 a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;    a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet coupled to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles, wherein said vacuum centrifuge further comprises;    a rotating bowl disposed in a vacuum chamber, said bowl having an inside and an outside surface coupled to said inlet to receive said mixture such that when said bowl is rotated rapidly, said mixture is spread on said inside surface of said bowl and said mixture is dispersed into an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge; and    a surge tank coupled to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from said surge tank outlet.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a pump coupled between said output of said mixer and said input of said vacuum centrifuge.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a anti-backflow device coupled between said output of said vacuum centrifuge and said input of said surge tank.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a means for both transferring said mixture to further processes and recirculating said mixture to said inlet of said surge tank coupled to said outlet of said surge tank.  
     
     
         9 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A method of continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising: 
 providing a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid; wherein said mixer further comprises:    a barrel having an inlet for accepting said fine particles and an outlet for dispersing said fine particles;    a tank for holding said liquid in which said outlet of said barrel is disposed such that said outlet is dispersing said fine particles at least one of either at and under the surface of said liquid;    coupling a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet to said outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles; and    coupling a surge tank to an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein said mixture is dispersed from said surge tank outlet.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising coupling a pump between said output of said mixer and said input of said vacuum centrifuge  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising coupling a anti-backflow device between said output of said vacuum centrifuge and said input of said surge tank.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising coupling to said surge tank a transferring means for transferring said mixture to a further processes and a recirculating means to recirculate said mixture to said inlet of said surge tank.  
     
     
         17 . A method of continuously dispersing fine particles in a liquid comprising: 
 providing a mixer having at least one inlet for receiving the fine particles and liquid;    coupling a vacuum centrifuge having an inlet to an outlet of said mixer to receive a mixture of liquid and fine particles, wherein said vacuum centrifuge further comprises;    a rotating bowl disposed in a vacuum chamber, said bowl having an inside and an outside surface coupled to said inlet to receive said mixture such that when said bowl is rotated rapidly, said mixture is spread on said inside surface of said bowl and said mixture is dispersed into an outlet of said vacuum centrifuge; and    coupling a surge tank to said outlet of said vacuum centrifuge, wherein and dispersing said mixture from said surge tank outlet.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising coupling a pump between said output of said mixer and said input of said vacuum centrifuge.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising coupling a anti-backflow device between said output of said vacuum centrifuge and said input of said surge tank.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising coupling to said surge tank a transferring means for transferring said mixture to a further processes and a recirculating means to recirculate said mixture to said inlet of said surge tank.  
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled)