IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

B03D - Definition fr

Definition statement

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
Examples of places where the subject matter of this subclass is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

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

Informative references

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.

Glossary of terms

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.