Importance

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Abstract

The apparatus provides a unique and novel vessel and process that concentrate solids, produces paste and stores paste from mixtures of solids and liquids. The vessel or tank includes a vertical shaft mounted within the tank and a variable speed drive for rotating the shaft for circulating paste. The shaft includes a helical pump for lifting the paste and a rake arm extending outwardly from a lower portion of the shaft for moving the paste radially inward. A vertical flow director within the tank is connected to the shaft for maintaining paste flow and facilitating paste circulation at outer portions of the tank. A paste exit port through a lower portion of the tank is used for removing paste. The method forms a paste by first introducing a mixture of solids and liquids into a tank. A portion of the solids and liquids are lifted vertically to establish a circulation pattern within the tank. The circulation of the mixture of solids and liquids is maintained within outer portions of the tank with at least one flow director. The mixture of solids and liquids is then circulated at a controlled rate to form paste.

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First Claim