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IPC Subclass
B03D

FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Class:
SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
Subclass:
FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION

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.

Scope Notes

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

Related Keywords

FROTH FLOTATIONSEPARATING of solids by using liquids

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