B03D FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D)
Introduced: September 1968
Description
B03D covers flotation and differential sedimentation processes for separating solid materials based on their physical and chemical properties in liquid media. Flotation methods exploit differences in surface wettability and hydrophobicity to selectively separate mineral particles, while differential sedimentation separates solids by exploiting differences in settling rates under gravity or centrifugal forces. This subclass encompasses flotation equipment (cells, columns), reagent systems, and process control methods, as well as sedimentation and clarification devices used in mineral processing, wastewater treatment, and industrial separation applications. Related separations by magnetic or electrostatic means are classified elsewhere in B03.
Title
Titles differ between systems:
IPC: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
CPC: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D)
Full Title
Full titles differ between systems:
FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D)
Additional Content IPC
Glossary
Coagulation The process by which a liquid changes to a thickened, curdlike, insoluble state by some kind of chemical or physical process, excluding by evaporation. Differential sedimentation A separation process using gravity or centrifugal force to initiate differential settling of suspended solids, for example at the bottom of a tank. Different solid materials settle at different rates. Flocculation This refers to a process where a solute comes out of solution in the form of floc or "flakes". The term is also used to refer to the process by which fine particulates are caused to clump together into floc. The floc may then float to the top of the liquid, settle to the bottom of the liquid, or can be readily filtered from the liquid. Sodium silicate is a common flocculating agent. Flotation (Also known as froth flotation) A separation process whereby water and chemicals are added to a mixture of solids to form a pulp while developing differences in surface tension between the various species in the solids mixture. The pulp is then copiously aerated and the preferred (aerophilic) species clings to bubbles and floats as a mineralized froth, which is then skimmed off.
Limiting references
Combinations of dry separating apparatus with wet separating apparatus Sink-float separation
Application references
Separating isotopes Treatment of water, waste water or sewage by flotation Flotation apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
Of 6 combined children, 2 exist in both systems.
2 codes are CPC-only extensions, 2 exist only in IPC.
Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.
1 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- B03D 1/00 Flotation (conditioning for flotation, general arrangement of plan B03B) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- B03D 2203/00 Specified materials treated by the flotation agents; Specified applications 2nd only +6 CPC CPC only CPC only
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class B03,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY 535
- CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY 526
- KMUST (KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) 510
- OUTOTEC (FINLAND) FI 255
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 231
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 214
- JIANGXI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 214
- BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) DE 213
- SHANGHAI BIXIUFU ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT COMPANY CN 208
- NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 196
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class B03,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY 405
- CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY 310
- KMUST (KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) 303
- SHANGHAI BIXIUFU ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT COMPANY CN 296
- OUTOTEC (FINLAND) FI 252
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 234
- CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES US 232
- BASF (BADISCHE ANILIN & SODA FABRIK) DE 218
- ADEY HOLDINGS (2008) GB 169
- FLSMIDTH DK 166