Abstract: A system and method for extracting liquid and/or solids from interstices of a porous matrix is disclosed. The porous matrix has two exposed ends, one of which is exposed to a first pressure and at an upstream end and another one of which is exposed to a second pressure and at a downstream end. The method includes first providing a pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure, wherein the first pressure is higher than the second pressure. This is then followed by providing foam on the upstream end, where the pressure differential is configured to cause foam movement through the interstices of the porous matrix to extract the liquid and/or solids through the downstream end.

Abstract: The method relates to particle separation from a feed stream. The feed stream is injected directly into the froth zone of a vertical flotation column in the presence of a counter-current reflux stream. A froth breaker generates a reflux stream and a concentrate stream, and the reflux stream is injected into the froth zone to mix with the interstitial liquid between bubbles in the froth zone. Counter-current flow between the plurality of bubbles and the interstitial liquid facilitates the attachment of higher hydrophobicity particles to bubble surfaces as lower hydrophobicity particles detach. The height of the feed stream injection and the reflux ratio may be varied in order to optimize the concentrate or tailing stream recoveries desired based on existing operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention presents a device for the removal of elemental mercury from flue gas streams utilizing a layer of activated carbon particles contained within the filter fabric of a filter bag for use in a flue gas scrubbing system.

Abstract: Sodium, potassium and ammonium thiosulfates may be converted to a mixture of the corresponding carbonates and sulfides by first partially reducing the thiosulfate with CO to formate in a first reduction zone, and then using the formate so produced to effect further reduction of the thiosulfate in a second reduction zone.