System and method for collecting heavy minerals
First Claim
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1. A system for collecting heavy minerals, comprising:
- a) a concave porous collection body having an outer surface and an inner surface;
b) a collection body housing substantially enclosing the outer surface of the collection body;
c) a motor operably connected to the collection body in a manner that permits the motor to spin the collection body;
d) a device configured to produce positive air pressure in the collection body housing in a manner that forces gas from the collection body housing through the collection body; and
e) a system housing configured to enclose the collection body and collection body housing.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and system for the environmental remediation of materials that are contaminated with heavy minerals, such as heavy metals. The invention finds utility in removing heavy minerals from materials such as soils, sediments, mine tailings and ores. The invention provides a means for removing heavy minerals from contaminated materials without the use of water while reducing the generation of dust. Thus, the invention provides an environmentally friendly method for the remediation of sites that are contaminated with heavy minerals.
7 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for collecting heavy minerals, comprising:
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a) a concave porous collection body having an outer surface and an inner surface; b) a collection body housing substantially enclosing the outer surface of the collection body; c) a motor operably connected to the collection body in a manner that permits the motor to spin the collection body; d) a device configured to produce positive air pressure in the collection body housing in a manner that forces gas from the collection body housing through the collection body; and e) a system housing configured to enclose the collection body and collection body housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for collecting heavy minerals from a feed material, comprising:
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a) providing a system having; i) a concave porous collection body having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is in the shape of a series of concentrically arranged steps; ii) a collection body housing substantially enclosing the outer surface of the collection body; iii) a motor operably connected to the collection body in a manner that permits the motor to spin the collection body; iv) a device configured to produce positive air pressure in the collection body housing in a manner that forces gas from the collection body housing through the collection body; v) a system housing configured to enclose the collection body and collection body housing; vi) a feed inlet configured to permit a feed material to be introduced to the collection body; and vii) a particle separator; b) activating the particle separator; c) introducing to the particle separator a feed material that contains dust and at least one heavy mineral thereby removing at least a portion of the dust from the feed material to produce a dust-suppressed feed material; d) activating the motor and device thereby spinning the collection body and forcing a gas through the collection body; e) introducing the dust-suppressed feed material to the collection body through the feed inlet, wherein introducing the dust-suppressed feed material results in at least a portion of the heavy mineral to gather on the concentrically arranged steps of the collection body; f) collecting the gathered heavy minerals from the concentrically arranged steps of the collection body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification