IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
B03D - Definition
This subclass covers:
Apparatus or methods using liquids for the separation of solids from solids, such apparatus or methods consisting of the following:
Flotation type separation apparatus or methods that may include one or more of the following:
Differential sedimentation type separation apparatus or methods that may include coagulation or flocculation.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
In Section B, the separation of different materials, e.g. of different matter, size or state, is predominantly found in the following subclasses: B01DB03B, B03CB03D, B04BB04C, B07BB07C.
The classifying characteristics of these subclasses are:
The first of these characteristics involves six different aspects, assembled in three groups:
These subclasses are to be used according to the following general rules:
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Combinations of dry separating apparatus with wet separating apparatus | B03B |
Sink-float separation | B03B 5/28 |
Separating isotopes | B01D 59/00 |
Treatment of water, waste water or sewage by flotation | C02F 1/24 |
Flotation apparatus for enzymology or microbiology | C12M 1/09 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Processes or devices capable of general use, for removing adhering liquid from separated materials | B01D |
Froth dispersion | B01D 19/02 |
Sedimentation in general | B01D 21/00 |
Devices for feeding measured quantities of reagents | B01J 4/02 |
Conditioners | B03B 1/00 |
Centrifuges | B04B |
Separating by dry methods | B07 |
Detergents, soaps | C11D |
Special rules of classification
In groups B03D 1/001-B03D 1/018 (advanced level), in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.
In groups B03D 1/001-B03D 1/018 (advanced level), it is desirable to add the appropriate indexing code(s) from each of groups B03D 101/00 or B03D 103/00.
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Coagulation | The process by which a liquid changes to a thickened, curdlike, insoluble state by some kind of chemical or physical process, excluding by evaporation. |
Differential sedimentation | A separation process using gravity or centrifugal force to initiate differential settling of suspended solids, for example at the bottom of a tank. Different solid materials settle at different rates. |
Flocculation | This refers to a process where a solute comes out of solution in the form of floc or "flakes". The term is also used to refer to the process by which fine particulates are caused to clump together into floc. The floc may then float to the top of the liquid, settle to the bottom of the liquid, or can be readily filtered from the liquid. Sodium silicate is a common flocculating agent. |
Flotation | (Also known as froth flotation) A separation process whereby water and chemicals are added to a mixture of solids to form a pulp while developing differences in surface tension between the various species in the solids mixture. The pulp is then copiously aerated and the preferred (aerophilic) species clings to bubbles and floats as a mineralized froth, which is then skimmed off. |