公开(公告)号：US11035826B1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-15

申请号：US17144333

申请日：2021-01-08

Applicant: CiDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC.

Inventor： Mark R. Fernald ,  Timothy J. Bailey ,  Douglas H. Loose ,  James M. Sullivan ,  John Biesak ,  Alan D. Kersey ,  Michael A. Davis

IPC: G01N29/024 ,  B03D1/02 ,  G01F1/74 ,  G01N29/02 ,  G01L11/04 ,  G01F1/708 ,  G01F1/712

Abstract: The invention provides a signal processor that receives a signal containing information about an acoustic signal that is generated by at least one acoustic transmitter, that travels through an aerated fluid in a container, and that is received by at least one acoustic receiver arranged in relation to the container, including inside the container; and determines the gas volume fraction of the aerated fluid based at least partly on the speed of sound measurement of the acoustic signal that travels through the aerated fluid in the container. The signal processor also sends an output signal containing information about the gas volume fraction of the aerated fluid. The signal processor may be configured together with at least one acoustic transmitter, the at least one acoustic receiver, or both.

公开(公告)号：US10921275B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-16

申请号：US14762215

申请日：2014-01-22

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Alan D. Kersey

IPC: G01N27/08 ,  G01N27/22 ,  G01B15/06 ,  G01B15/00

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about coded and multiplexed voltages measured across pairs of electrodes in an array of electrodes configured in relation to a fluid processing structure, including a pipe, tank, vessel, vat or container, having a process fluid therein; and determine using a tomographic signal processing algorithm a tomographic indication of the process fluid, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor module may be configured to provide corresponding signaling containing information about the tomographic indication of the process fluid. The tomographic indication includes a 2D or 3D image or visualization of the process fluid, including an analysis of mixing in multiphase flows, liquid interfaces or liquid-froth layers detected in the process fluid.

公开(公告)号：US10830623B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-10

申请号：US15541839

申请日：2016-02-05

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Robert J. Maron ,  Juan F. Medina ,  Dylan Cirulis ,  Joseph Mercuri

IPC: G01F1/20 ,  G01F5/00 ,  G01N15/02 ,  G01N15/10 ,  G01F1/86 ,  G01F23/18 ,  G01F1/708 ,  G01M3/26 ,  B04C11/00 ,  G01F1/28 ,  G01F1/74 ,  G01N29/036 ,  B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/002

Abstract: Apparatus features a signal processor or signal processing module configured to: receive signaling containing information about a central air-core of an overflow pipe of a hydrocyclone where fluid flow is concentrated in an outer annular region of the overflow pipe that is against an inner wall of the overflow pipe during a normal operation of the hydrocyclone; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about a collapse of the central air-core of the overflow pipe of the hydrocyclone during an abnormal operation of the hydrocyclone, based upon the signaling received. The signaling contains information about a fluid flow rate of the fluid flow by detecting a change in the magnitude of a force and/or a moment on the probe.

公开(公告)号：US10394207B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-27

申请号：US14914048

申请日：2014-08-26

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Alex M. Van Der Spek ,  Americo J. Zuzunaga ,  Jerin J. Russell ,  Robert J. Maron

IPC: B04C5/24 ,  B04C11/00 ,  G01M1/00 ,  G01M13/00 ,  G01N15/02 ,  G05B19/042 ,  B25B11/00

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: respond to signaling containing information about particle sizes of solids forming part of a slurry stream being fed with a common feed flow into a battery of cyclones; and determine which combinations of cyclones in the battery produce overflow that has undesirable particle size characteristics using a statistical algorithm or technique, based upon the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module provides corresponding signaling containing about which combinations of cyclones in the battery produce overflow that has undesirable particle size characteristics, including control signaling to control the operation of the battery, including information about certain combinations of cyclones to avoid, or preferentially to use, to minimize the total amount of coarse material having the undesirable particle size characteristics produced by the battery.

公开(公告)号：US10088454B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-02

申请号：US14387732

申请日：2013-04-05

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Douglas H. Loose ,  Lambertus J Didden ,  Alan D. Kersey

IPC: G01N29/028 ,  G01N33/38

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured at least to: receive signaling containing information about a radiation impedance of a piston vibrating a process medium, including a fluid or slurry; and determine a speed of sound or density measurement related to the process medium, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor or signal processing module may determine a speed of sound measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the density of the process medium, including where the density of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module, or determine a density measurement related to the process medium, based on at least partly on the speed at which sound travels in the process medium, including where the speed of sound of the process medium is known, assumed or determined by the signal processor or signal processing module.

公开(公告)号：US10071352B2

公开(公告)日：2018-09-11

申请号：US14648285

申请日：2013-12-09

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc. ,  SUNCOR ENERGY INC.

Inventor： Alex M. Van Der Spek ,  Douglas H. Loose ,  Adrian Revington

IPC: B01F15/02 ,  B01F15/04 ,  G01F1/00 ,  C02F1/52 ,  C02F1/56 ,  C02F101/10 ,  C02F103/10

CPC classification number: B01F15/0408 ,  B01F2215/0042 ,  C02F1/5209 ,  C02F1/56 ,  C02F2101/10 ,  C02F2103/10 ,  C02F2209/001 ,  C02F2209/006 ,  C02F2209/03 ,  C02F2209/40 ,  G01F1/00

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or processing module configured at least to: a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about at least one rheological parameter related to a fluid containing Mature Fine Tailings (MFTs) flowing through a process pipe; and determine a dosing of a polymer to the fluid so as to cause a polymer induced agglomeration of the MFTs in the fluid, based at least partly on the signaling received. The signal processor may be configured to provide corresponding signaling to control the dosing of the polymer to cause the polymer induced fine agglomeration of the MFTs in the fluid.

公开(公告)号：US20180155630A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-07

申请号：US15782125

申请日：2017-10-12

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Alan D. KERSEY

IPC: C10G1/04 ,  B03D1/14 ,  B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/24 ,  B03D1/22 ,  B03D1/08 ,  B03D1/18

CPC classification number: C10G1/04 ,  B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/023 ,  B03D1/028 ,  B03D1/082 ,  B03D1/1456 ,  B03D1/1475 ,  B03D1/18 ,  B03D1/22 ,  B03D1/24 ,  B03D2203/006

Abstract: The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline. The pipe has a non-magnetic pipe section, and the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic coil arranged in relation to non-magnetic pipe section to generate the magnetic field and provide the non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the pipe.

公开(公告)号：US09932525B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-03

申请号：US14380609

申请日：2013-02-28

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Alan D. Kersey

IPC: B03C1/32 ,  B03D1/14 ,  C10G1/04 ,  B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/08 ,  B03D1/22 ,  B03D1/24 ,  B03D1/18

CPC classification number: C10G1/04 ,  B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/023 ,  B03D1/028 ,  B03D1/082 ,  B03D1/1456 ,  B03D1/1475 ,  B03D1/18 ,  B03D1/22 ,  B03D1/24 ,  B03D2203/006

Abstract: The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline. The pipe has a non-magnetic pipe section, and the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic coil arranged in relation to non-magnetic pipe section to generate the magnetic field and provide the non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the pipe.

公开(公告)号：US09921092B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-20

申请号：US14717533

申请日：2015-05-20

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Daniel L. Gysling ,  Douglas H. Loose

IPC: G01F1/74 ,  G01F1/34 ,  G01F1/66 ,  G01F1/708

CPC classification number: G01F1/74 ,  G01F1/34 ,  G01F1/666 ,  G01F1/7082

Abstract: A method for determining one or more fluid flow parameters for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided. The fluid is a mixture of solid particles and gas. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a meter operable to determine the velocity of the fluid flow through the pipe, which meter is substantially insensitive to the particulate/gas mass ratio of the fluid flow; b) determining the velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe using the meter; and c) determining a particulate/gas mass ratio using a density value for the gas within the flow and the determined fluid flow velocity.

公开(公告)号：US20170232451A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-17

申请号：US15401755

申请日：2017-01-09

Applicant: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.

Inventor： Paul J. ROTHMAN ,  Mark R. FERNALD ,  Francis DIDDEN ,  Christian V. O'KEEFE ,  Douglas H. ADAMSON ,  Paul DOLAN ,  Timothy J. BAILEY ,  Michael RYAN

IPC: B03D1/02 ,  B03D1/12 ,  B03D1/016

CPC classification number: B03D1/023 ,  B03D1/004 ,  B03D1/016 ,  B03D1/12 ,  B03D2203/02

Abstract: An engineered collection medium for use in mineral separation is described. The engineered collection medium has a solid phase body configured with a three-dimensional open-cell structure like foam or sponge to provide collection surfaces. The surfaces are functionalized with a hydrophobic chemical having molecules with a functional group for attaching mineral particles to the collection surfaces. The engineered collection medium can be a foam block, a filter or conveyor belt to be placed in a slurry to collect mineral particles in the slurry. The engineered collection medium carrying the mineral particles is provided to a release apparatus where the mineral particles can be released by using mechanical agitation, sonic agitation and so forth.