Flotation Container with Inverted Cone for Particle Density Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring particle density distribution through flotation methods face challenges in achieving high accuracy and safety, particularly with explosive materials, due to recirculation of flotation liquid and hazardous centrifugation techniques.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cone-shaped flotation container and a unique extraction system that prevents liquid recirculation, combined with a temperature regulation system and a densimeter for precise liquid density measurement, allowing for clean separation and recovery of particles without hazardous techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flotation method is used to measure particle density distribution, then measurement capability is provided, but liquid recirculation interferes with extraction and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation container is divided into distinct zones: a flotation zone for particle separation and an extraction zone with a collection cone at the bottom. This segmentation allows particles to be separated by density in the flotation zone while collected in the extraction zone, preventing recirculation interference and enabling accurate measurement of particle density distribution.
2Productivity
If centrifugation technique is used to extract particles, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety hazards increase for explosive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the centrifugal mechanical extraction system with a gravity-based extraction system. Particles are extracted using gravitational settling in the collection cone, eliminating the need for centrifugation. This substitution maintains extraction efficiency while completely removing the explosion hazard associated with high-speed rotation of explosive particles.
3Measurement precision
If conventional flotation container shape is used, then simple manufacturing is achieved, but particle separation accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation container employs an asymmetric geometry with a conical collection zone at the bottom and a cylindrical flotation zone above. This asymmetric shape optimizes particle separation by directing denser particles to the collection cone while maintaining a large flotation volume, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of particle density distribution and safe extraction of particles, avoiding recirculation of flotation liquid and minimizing hazards, especially with high-energy materials.
Implementation Method 1
These methods separate the particles denser than the liquid in the lower part from the particles less dense than the liquid in the upper part. Two techniques are used: the density gradient method and the flotation method.
Implementation Method 2
The density gradient method, implemented in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,300, consists of creating a density gradient in a liquid column. The particles are then released at the top of the column. They descend in the column until the density of the liquid balances the density of the particle.
Implementation Method 3
The flotation method consists simply of submerging a particle sample in a liquid of known density, decanting the particles that are denser than the liquid, and collecting and weighing these particles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the investigation of particle characteristics, particularly to a device for measuring the apparent density distribution of a set of particles composed of several subsets of particles with different apparent densities and able to implement a flotation process to measure this distribution and comprising a flotation container, a stirrer and a system for measuring the density of the liquids, characterized in that the inside wall of the container has at least a first part in the shape of an inverted cone with axis Y whose height is 1.5 to 3 times its maximum diameter, and in that it has means for extracting liquid communicating with said first part at the vertex of the inverted cone, said means having a tube communicating with said first part at the tip of the inverted cone of which the first axis makes an angle of between π/2 and 3π/2 radians with the second axis.