Separation method

Abstract

The invention provides a method for the separation of solids from a semi-solid viscous mass, the method comprising treating a solids-containing semi-solid viscous mass in an apparatus comprising a separating member incorporating a substantially flat solid surface and a supporting member, wherein the separating member is adapted to selectively impart directional momentum to the solids, thereby facilitating separation of the solids from the semi-solid viscous mass. Preferably the separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface adapted for vibrational motion, the vibrational motion causing the solids material to be displaced from the remainder of the semi-solid viscous mass.

1 . A method for the separation of solids from a semi-solid viscous mass, said method comprising treating a solids-containing semi-solid viscous mass in an apparatus comprising a separating member incorporating a substantially flat solid surface and a supporting member, wherein said separating member is adapted to selectively impart directional momentum to said solids, thereby facilitating separation of said solids from said semi-solid viscous mass without dilution of said semi-solid viscous mass. 
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said separating member is attached to and supported by a supporting member. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said separating member is attached to and supported by said supporting member such that said separating member is disposed at an angle close to, but slightly displaced from, the horizontal. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said separating member is disposed at an angle of between 1° and 10° from the horizontal. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said angle is between 2° and 5° from the horizontal. 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said angle is around 3° from the horizontal. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface, the surface of which demonstrates a different degree of adhesiveness to the solids than to the remainder of the semi-solid mass. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the surface of the separating member is fabricated of a material that a different degree of adhesiveness to the solids than to the remainder of the semi-solid mass. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface adapted for vibrational motion. 
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said vibrational motion is imparted so as to cause displacement of said solid particulate material in a substantially horizontal direction along said separating member and also in an upward direction away from the horizontal. 
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said vibrational motion comprises a combination of vibrational motion in the plane of the separating member and in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the separating member. 
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said vibrational motion comprises a combination of horizontal vibrational motion and vertical vibrational motion. 
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said vibrational motion is imparted by the application of mechanical and/or electromagnetic forces. 
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said mechanical forces are imparted by means of an out of balance motor drive. 
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said electrical forces are imparted by means of an electromagnet. 
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the frequency of the applied vibrational motion is in the region of from 5 to 50 Hz. 
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said frequency is in the region of from 10 to 30 Hz. 
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said frequency is in the region of from 15 to 20 Hz. 
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the amplitude in the plane of the separating member is in the region of from 2 to 30 mm. 
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said amplitude is in the region of from 5 to 20 mm. 
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said amplitude is in the region of from 10 to 15 mm. 
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface comprising a tray or plate which additionally comprises perimeter members attached to the edges of said separating member and disposed substantially perpendicularly to said substantially flat solid surface, with the proviso that one edge of said separating member does not comprise a perimeter member. 
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein, in operation, said separating member is disposed with the edge that does not comprise a perimeter member above the horizontal. 
   
   
       24 . The method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said separating member comprises a tray or plate which is rectangular in shape, and three of the four sides comprise a perimeter member, whilst the fourth side does not include a perimeter member. 
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said separating member is attached to the supporting member by means of the remaining two sides of the rectangular member, perpendicular to and adjacent said fourth side. 
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein said supporting member is any member suitable to support said separating member such that said separating member is disposed at an angle close to, but slightly displaced from, the horizontal. 
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said supporting member comprises inclined leaf springs. 
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 25  wherein said separating member is movably attached to said supporting member. 
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said separating member is rotatably attached to said supporting member. 
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said semi-solid viscous mass comprises a sludge, industrial sludge, waste sludge, slate sludge or Magnox fuel waste sludge. 
   
   
       31 .- 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said solids are solid objects or substances, or solid particulate material. 
   
   
       35 . The method as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said solid objects are machinery parts, small boulders, discrete pieces of slate, corroded cladding from Magnox fuel. 
   
   
       36 .- 39 . (canceled)