GB972746A - Method and apparatus for thickening a suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

972,746. Thickening suspensions. BAHCO A.B. March 25, 1963 [March 26, 1962], No. 11725/63. Heading B1D. Liquid from suspension in a chamber 3, Fig. 1, is forced past a clearance 8 between a resilient membrane 2 and a wall 1 either by pressure in the suspension space or by movement of the membrane 2 into the suspension space (chamber 3). Alternatively, membrane 2 may be rigid and wall 1 resilient. A rubber diaphragm 33, Fig. 3, between supporting plates 34, 35, is hydraulically moved into an extension 32, thickened suspension thereby being collected between diaphragm 33 and a rotatable flap 37, and liquid thereby being forced above diaphragm 33 back into a vessel 31. Fig. 5 shows a double-acting piston with an inlet hopper 51 and outlets 53 and 54 for thickened suspension. In Fig. 6 (not shown), a rectangular membrane pivoted about one (horizontal) edge sweeps the wall of a horizontal half-cylinder whose axis coincides with the pivot. A top inlet and bottom outlet are provided. In Fig. 7 (not shown), part of one vertical wall of a vessel is replaced by a resilient membrane adjacent the walls of an extension. When suspension is introduced under pressure, liquid leaks into the extension. Slots in the membrane are also provided, and are almost wholly occupied by plates arranged edgewise, to accomplish the effect above-described. In all cases, the gap between the membrane member and wall member may appear only upon application of the working pressure.