METHOD FOR ENRICHING MICROELEMENT BY USING CARRIER FROM WATER PARTICULARLY* SEAWATER* ITS DEVICE AND REACTIVE CARRIER EMPLOYED FOR SAID METHOD

摘要

A method and apparatus for recovering raw material, especially uranium, from natural waters, especially from the sea. Carrier bodies capable of sinking are permitted to pass, in a free fall, through a layer of water, especially a natural sea current or stream, by concentration on the carrier bodies, which are collected at an appropriate depth and are then conveyed from there for further treatment. Carrier bodies of inert material are used having a protected outer surface with a thin layer, capable of being concentrated, coated thereon. The distance of falling amounts to approximately 100 meters. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a carrier body discharge located below water level. One end of a carrier body path has a collection device for collecting carrier bodies and is directed toward the conveyor path. The apparatus also has a conveying device operating especially hydraulically according to the principle of communicating pipes. The conveying device returns the carrier bodies to the outlet or discharge by way of a further treatment location.