Abstract: Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.

Abstract: A pipeline transportation method of coal is provided. The coal is pulverized and then subjected to a waterproofing treatment, so that a time needed for precipitating the pulverized coal in water is longer than a time needed for transporting the pulverized coal by flowing water to a destination. The waterproof pulverized coal is transported by water through a pipeline. After reaching the destination, the waterproof pulverized coal can be separated from the water in a static pool, collected by a cyclone separator, and then stored in a warehouse.

Abstract: A methodology for the removal of the harmful components of the ash of biomass of agro/forest/urban origin and of low-quality coal fuels, as peat, lignite, sub-bituminous and bituminous coals, is invented. The harmful components are alkaline metals, chlorine and sulphur. They are removed before the thermochemical conversion in order to prevent or minimise the corrosion, scaling/deposition, ash agglomeration problems, as well as the alkaline metal, chlorine, sulphur emissions. Furthermore, it aims in the production of materials of low moisture content, low hygroscopicity, which can be easily ground, and mixed with various other materials, easily fed to commercial boilers for energy production, which can be easily pelletised with or without other materials at various proportions and with very low energy requirements. The removal is achieved with pre-pyrolysis/pre-gasification at 250-320° C.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for sorting a collection of bodies including cemented carbide bodies and non-cemented carbide bodies. A melt having one or more of bismuth, tin and lead and having a density in the range of 7.0-12.0 g/cm3 is provided. The collection is subjected to a sorting process based on density difference by providing the collection in the melt and allowing the bodies to be sorted into a first group at a top surface of the melt and a second group at a bottom of the melt. The first group includes non-cemented carbide bodies having a density lower than the density of the melt and the second group includes cemented carbide bodies having a density higher than the density of the melt. The present disclosure also relates to a method for recycling of cemented carbides comprising the sorting method and recycling of the second group.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for sorting crushed material by gravitationally separating components of the crushed material according to component densities in a liquid column having a bottom layer of a heavy water-immiscible liquid, an intermediate layer of an aqueous salt solution and a top layer of a light water-immiscible liquid. The heavy water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than the aqueous salt solution, the aqueous salt solution has a higher density than the light water-immiscible liquid and the light water-immiscible liquid has a higher density than sea water to maintain the intermediate layer on top of the bottom layer, the top layer on top of the intermediate layer and the top layer in the liquid column.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating and removing aflatoxin-contaminated corn from batches of corn by a floating process, thus producing a distinguishable floating mat of contaminated corn and a separate submerged bed of uncontaminated and less contaminated corn. The methods of this disclosure include removing the floating contaminated corn mat by a vacuum mechanism or by liquid flow. The methods reduce the aflatoxin level in the submerged corn bed as much as 80% from the initial aflatoxin level, while removing no more than 15% from the batch of corn.

Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.

Abstract: Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.

Abstract: A method of purification of a solid mixture of a metal-organic framework (MOF) material and an unwanted second material by disposing the solid mixture in a liquid separation medium having a density that lies between those of the wanted MOF material and the unwanted material, whereby the solid mixture separates by density differences into a fraction of wanted MOF material and another fraction of unwanted material.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the beneficiation and utilization of various kinds of coal and shale oil as a solid fuel for thermoelectric power stations. The beneficiation process is performed underground, near to the place of beneficiation waste stowing, using aqueous salt solution with a density between those of the target component and waste rock. The regeneration of heavy liquid from final beneficiation tailings is performed by washing with non-aqueous volatile liquid, with subsequent drying by the subsurface heat after placing these tailings in the worked-out space. The resulting vapors are compressed and condensed; thus regenerated non-aqueous liquid is returned for washing the beneficiation tailings, while effluents produced by washing are separated into aqueous and non-aqueous components by heat released at the liquefaction of the non-aqueous liquid vapors. The enriched solid fuel remaining in the floatable state is delivered by its flow to the thermo-electric power plant.

Abstract: An improved system and method for separating combustible organic particles from noncombustible inorganic particles in coal, in preparation for combustion. The coal is size-reduced and size-graded to small pieces which are then supplied to input ends of water-immersed descending slides having ultrasonic transducers for vibratory separation of inorganic and organic particles. The slides have different longitudinal lengths with angles of declination configured to achieve time-differential exposure to the ultrasonic vibratory energy, with smaller coal pieces being subjected to shorter time ultrasonic vibratory exposure. In one preferred form, longitudinally spaced turbidity sensors along the slide provide signals used to control selected ultrasonic transducers upon substantially complete cleaning of the coal pieces.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one carbon nanotube having a desired diameter and/or chirality from a mixture of carbon nanotubes having different diameters and/or chiralities is provided. A calixarene of formula (I): wherein n?4; X is PO3H2, Ra—PO3H, SO3H, or Ra—SO3H; Y is Rb, OH, or ORb; and Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylene alkyl and optionally substituted alkylene aryl is combined with the mixture of carbon nanotubes in an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) having the desired diameter and/or chirality. The aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) is then separated from a residue comprising the remaining carbon nanotubes of the mixture.

Abstract: A method of purification of a solid mixture of a metal-organic framework (MOF) material and an unwanted second material by disposing the solid mixture in a liquid separation medium having a density that lies between those of the wanted MOF material and the unwanted material, whereby the solid mixture separates by density differences into a fraction of wanted MOF material and another fraction of unwanted material.

Abstract: Enhanced methods for separating of overlapping density porous materials are provided. The methods of the invention exploit the differences in the porosity of porous feed materials compared to that of the solid plastics. In the first stage, air is forced out of the pores of a porous feed material. In the second stage, a solution, having the appropriate density, is forced into the pores. This increases the density of the porous material relative to the density of the solid plastics. As a result, the porous material can be made to sink, while the solid plastics continue to float.

Abstract: A flange joint for connecting two objects in a fluid connection so that fluid can flow between the objects. The flange joint has a gasket, and the gasket is installed in the flange joint. The flange joint has at least one channel for feeding additional fluid from outside of the flange joint through the gasket into fluid flowing between the two objects.

Abstract: A housing adapted to receive a flow of slurry has a central section, an upper section, and a lower section. A clean water introduction assembly has a horizontal manifold, a plurality of horizontal apertured pipes and a plurality of vertical water lines. A valve assembly has an upper valve and a lower valve. The upper valve is normally open. The lower valve is normally closed to feed clean water from the manifold through the water lines and out of the apertured pipes into the housing. In this manner water entering the housing will cause a hindered settling. The valve assembly is also operable in a back flow mode with the upper valve being closed and the lower valve being opened. In this manner water from the housing will flow from the apertured pipes. In this manner clogs in the holes of the apertured pipe are cleared. A coupling assembly is provided.

Abstract: A slurry dividing apparatus is configured to divide a main slurry stream into smaller constituent slurry streams, wherein each stream contains a desired proportion of suspended solids. The dividing apparatus includes a main flow channel and a plurality of branch flow channels extending upward from a flow divider that terminates an upper end of the main flow channel. The main slurry stream enters the main flow channel, at an inlet opening thereof, and is decelerated, by an upward extension and expanding cross-section of the main flow channel, before reaching the flow divider and being divided into the smaller constituent slurry streams flowing within the plurality of branch flow channels. Each of the smaller streams flows up and then over a weir, which extends across an upper portion of each of the branch flow channels, and then down into a corresponding discharge flow channel of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for classifying fine particles, the method comprising: introducing a fine particle dispersion in which fine particles are dispersed in a liquid medium into an inlet of a microchannel having the inlet and a recovery portion; and delivering the fine particle dispersion, which has been introduced through the inlet, to the recovery portion in laminar flow, wherein delivering the fine particle dispersion includes classifying the fine particles using the difference in sedimentation speed or floatation speed among the fine particles in the fine particle dispersion. The present invention also provides a device used in the method for classifying fine particles.

Abstract: A device for the separation of waste materials in accordance with their densities is provided and includes a vat which is fillable with a fluid for the separation of detritus by means of floatation and decantation. Conveyer belts are provided for the removal of the supernatant and decanted materials. A vibrating sieve is provided for the pre-separation of debris prior to introduction into the vat. The vibrating sieve extracts large materials and small materials which tend to produce silt in the vat. Means are provided for the removal of the decanted sludge.

Abstract: A method of classifying fine particles includes: introducing a fine particle dispersion containing the fine particles to a micro flow channel having an inlet part and a collection part from the inlet part; moving the fine particles to an inner upper side of the micro flow channel by an electric field applied in a gravitational direction; and delivering the fine particle dispersion in a laminar flow state to the collection part. The delivering step includes classifying the fine particles according to differences in settling velocity among the fine particles.

Abstract: A separation apparatus contains: a dispersion liquid introduction path to which a dispersion liquid containing particles is introduced; a separation path that has a inclined upper face inclined with respect to a direction of gravity and separates the particles; and a discharge path from which particles separated by the separation path are discharged.

Abstract: Hydrogravity separation of a multiple domain solid feedstock is disclosed which comprises granulating the feedstock to produce particles each of substantially a single domain, with each type of particle having a different density. The particles are slurried into a suitable fluid. A dispersion mixer having a high shear and/or turbulent zone is utilized to disperse agglomerated particles and a quiescent hydrogravity tank is utilized to effect binary separation of the mixture of particles into a stream with a higher average specific gravity, and a stream with a lower average specific gravity. A high degree of product purity is obtained by feeding one or both of the initial product streams to a collection of dispersion mixer/hydrogravity tank units using a fluid of substantially the same specific gravity.

Abstract: Processing recycled materials to recover plastics, copper wire, and other non-ferrous metals. Aspects of the invention employ density separation to separate plastic-bearing materials from copper-bearing materials. Plastic-bearing materials are further separated to separate light plastics from heavy plastics. Plastics are concentrated, extruded, and palletized. Copper and other valuable metals are recovered from copper-bearing materials using a water separation table.

Abstract: A device for the separation of waste materials in accordance with their densities is provided and includes a vat which is fillable with a fluid for the separation of detritus by means of floatation and decantation. Conveyer belts are provided for the removal of the supernatant and decanted materials. A vibrating sieve is provided for the pre-separation of debris prior to introduction into the vat. The vibrating sieve extracts large materials and small materials which tend to produce silt in the vat. Means are provided for the removal of the decanted sludge.

Abstract: A material classifier for classifying a liquid-solid mixture containing solid material to be separated is provided. The material classifier includes a tank defining a reservoir for receiving the liquid-solid mixture, and a scoop wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart scoops for scooping material from the tank and subsequently discharging the scooped material from the tank during rotation of the scoop wheel. A classification system and method of classifying material is also provided.

Abstract: A water bath separator includes a tank for receiving a volume of water for forming a water bath having a top water surface and a light material conveyor path extending from the tank such that an upstream end of the light material conveyor path is closely below the top water surface when the tank is in filled operating condition. The light material conveyor path includes a sorting conveyor provided with a row of rotatable, driven shafts mutually spaced in a conveying direction and each extending transversally to that conveying direction. The shafts each carry a row of radially extending impellers for intermittently urging material on the sorting conveyor upward and in conveying direction, the impellers of each of said rows being mutually spaced in longitudinal direction of the respective shaft. The sorting conveyor has an upstream portion located in the tank such that an upstream end of the sorting conveyor is immersed in the water bath when the tank is in filled operating condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for separating mixed plastics using flotation techniques including a first stage initial washing tank for washing of incoming plastics and providing a first separation process and at least one separation module. The first stage initial washing tank includes a perforated basket to hold heavy materials, such as metals, glass, and the like. Each separation module includes a separation tank, a feeding section for feeding of mixed stream into the separation tank; and a collecting section for collecting of the separated mixed plastics including floaters and sinkers from the separation tank. The separation tank has no moving parts. Each separation tank and the first stage initial washing tank is a standard off-the-shelf circular tank with a flat bottom. Washing and drying steps are eliminated between separation stages. Batch processing is replaced with generally continuous operation. An integrated vibrating screen and air classification system is provided.

Abstract: A method of cleaning bedding sand soiled with animal manure removes the bedding sand from an animal bedding area. An aqueous slurry of the bedding sand is made. The slurry is subjected to cyclonic action so as to separate the sand from the manure. The separated sand is then respread back into the animal bedding area for reuse. The clean bedding sand is free of organic contaminants such as manure, urine and milk. In addition, the bedding sand may contain inorganic contaminants such as clay and silt particles as well as fine particles which are undesirable in a bedding material. Processing the sand removes these inorganic contaminants and fine particles to produce a superior bedding sand for animals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for use in separating mixtures. A slurry including a separation liquid and one or more particulate media materials is provided. A classification separation is performed on the slurry to produce a classified media having a controlled particle size distribution of the particulate media materials. The classified media is combined with a mixture to be separated to generate a separation mixture. A density separation is performed on the separation mixture. The particle size distribution can be controlled based in part on characteristics of components of a separation system to be used in subsequent density separations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for separating polyester, and particularly polyethylene terephthalate, from various contaminants and impurities. In general, the process includes the steps of mixing materials containing polyester with an alkaline composition in a mixer. The mixer imparts sufficient energy to the slurry to provide substantially complete, even coating of the polyester containing materials with the alkaline composition and cause saponification of the outer surface of the polyester with the alkaline composition. After reaction in the mixer, the mixture is heated causing some of the impurities to be chemically modified into a more separable form. After heating, the mixture can be washed with water and the polyester can be easily separated from the remaining impurities. Through the process of the present invention, polyester can be separated and recovered from waste materials such as those containing polyvinyl chloride and aluminum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abrading the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, is provided. The linking structure between the membrane and shell is initially abraded such that the membrane particles and shell particles can be passively dissociated thereafter.

Abstract: A pre-separator feed well for use with hydrous slurry feed is provided in a hindered-bed separator that includes an elongate body defining an interior space with upper and lower portions. The feed well is elongate and includes a vertically adjustable conical plate adjacent the bottom thereof for control of downward flow of heavy material. The top of the feed well includes an overflow weir including an overflow ring having a plurality of vertical slots through which flows the lighter material onto an overflow weir adjacent an overflow launder and to an outlet pipe. Feed is introduced into the upper portion of the feed well in a tangential manner. A perforated barrier may be mounted below the feed well in some circumstances. Teeter flow is introduced in a lower portion of the separator and flows upwardly. Alternatively, the lower part of the separator can be perforated for heavy/coarse material discharge.

Abstract: When a printed board is soldered by a dipping method, a great deal of dross is generated on a jet solder tank. The dross is a mixture of melted solder and oxide. A worker takes out the dross from the jet solder tank, and throws it away. Thus, a large amount of the solder is consumed. The present invention relates to a separating device for separating oxide and solder from dross. A container (21) is provided with a heater (22). A cover (24) is set over the container (21) to be freely attachable or detachable, and further a non-oxidizing gas supplying opening (28) is made in the cover (24) or the container (21). A stirring spatula (25) for stirring the surface of a melted solder (23) put into the container (21) is set near the surface of the melted solder (23).

Abstract: A method and system for separating and sorting recyclable materials from mixed waste streams provides improved separation and reduced cost in trash and recyclable material processing systems. A low surface-current bath is used within the sorting system to separate materials having a low wet-density, such as plastics and coated paper, from materials having a high wet-density, such as uncoated paper. A novel newspaper separation device using an appropriately-sized gap in a conveying system provides separation of newspaper from other large pieces of recyclable material or trash, while leaving heavier materials on the conveying system for further sorting. An improved plastics separator is included for separating plastics by melting-point range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abrading the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, is provided. The linking structure between the membrane and shell is initially abraded such that the membrane particles and shell particles can be passively dissociated thereafter.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating blank pistachio shells and other debris from pistachio nuts includes a flotation tank, a weir and discharge channel, a conveyor within the flotation tank and a pair of counter-rotating rollers for squeezing floating items and for urging floating items towards the weir and discharge channel.

Abstract: A method of treating household refuse wherein selection, communication, etc., the fraction of the total refuse containing biodegradable organic dry matter is delivered to an anaerobic fermentation process. Anaerobic fermentation is carried out until all the dry matter is exhausted, degradation rates of the biodegradable organic dry matter (OTSbiol) of 70% and more being attained. The resultant fermentation residue is subjected to a drying process in which the dry matter portion is increased to at least 90%. The resultant dry material no longer exhibits any biological activity. The exhaustive anaerobic fermentation process enables a maximum amount of biogas to be produced, its energy content being sufficient to supply the drying process.

Abstract: An improved aqueous-based extraction method for the separation and recovery of ultra-fine mineral particles. The process operates within the pseudophase region of the conventional aqueous biphasic extraction system where a low-molecular-weight, water soluble polymer alone is used in combination with a salt and operates within the pseudo-biphase regime of the conventional aqueous biphasic extraction system. A combination of low molecular weight, mutually immiscible polymers are used with or without a salt. This method is especially suited for the purification of clays that are useful as rheological control agents and for the preparation of nanocomposites.

Abstract: A device for separating dense particles contained in blood or one or more proteins contained in blood plasma by utilizing a separating arrangement. The separation arrangement includes a feed duct, at least two discharge ducts, a pump for producing a pressure in order to introduce the blood or blood plasma into the separating device, a measuring device provided with the discharge ducts, and a control arrangement connected to the measuring device. The separation arrangement also includes a respective arrangement changing the cross section of at least one of the two discharge ducts and connected to the control arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention, therefore, provides stage crushing method for recovering precious metals from slag produced by a coal burning furnace or boiler comprising: a plurality of crushing steps, wherein each crushing step produces slag particles having successively smaller particle diameter sizes, said crushing steps continued until a final desired particle diameter sized is obtained; wherein each of said crushing steps is followed by suspending said crushed slag particles in a liquid medium to form a slurry of light-weight particles and heavy weight-particles and allowing the crushed slag particles within the slurry to separate, based on weight of the particles, thereby forming a light-weight particle population and a heavy-weight particle population; wherein each suspending step is followed by removing said light-weight particles from said slurry, such that said slurry consists of substantially heavy-weight particles; and collecting said heavy-weight particles.

Abstract: A process and a structure is described for separating particles in a fluid medium based on a difference in settling velocity. The feed is introduced tangential into the separation zone. The tangential feed system includes a transition box to reduce flow velocity and disperse the slurry across the separator eliminating the efficiency losses associated with other classifiers that introduce feed directly into the separation chamber. This approach offers an improvement in process capacity and efficiency. The fluidization water is introduced to the separation chamber below a baffle plate that disperses the water across the base of the separator. The feed system may include baffles in the upper separation chamber, and a stilling well with an impact plate adjustable side walls and adjustable baffle plates to reduce flow velocity and disperse the slurry across the separator.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a kaolin clay crude to separate by selective flocculation impurity particles contained in the crude from finely divided kaolinite particle contained in the crude, comprising: (a) forming said crude into a dispersed aqueous slurry b adding water and at least one dispersant to said crude; (b) conditioning said dispersed aqueous slurry by adding conditioning chemical thereto, the conditioning chemical providing addition of monovalent cations to the slurry without adding multivalent cations thereto; (c) selectively flocculating said conditioned slurry by adding to said conditioned slurry a composition comprising (i) a high molecular weight component comprising an organic anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1 million; and (ii) a low molecular weight component comprising an inorganic anionic polyphosphate; said composition causing impurity particles in said slurry to flocculate and settle as a dense lower layer and kaolinite particles in said slurry to be defloccul

Abstract: The invention refers to a procedure and an installation for the pure, according to sort, processing of recoverable material refuse, with a selection of heavy disruptive materials, with a crushing process for the remaining raw refuse, with segregating processes for recoverable materials from the crushed raw refuse up to a mixture of plastic chips and with separating processes for the extraction of pure, according to sort, plastics.

Abstract: An invention provides a process for the selection from a particulate pharmaceutical product of particles of a preselected size, said process comprising (i) obtaining a substantially homogeneous suspension of said particulate pharmaceutical product in a fluid suspension medium which is immiscible with said product and is of different density to said product, (ii) carrying out a size selection procedure to set an effective lower or upper size limit on the articles in the final particulate product, wherein step (ii) comprises either allowing said suspension to settle for a predetermined period, separating said suspension into a first and second component in a predetermined volume ratio, said first component deriving from an upper layer of said suspension and said second component deriving from a lower layer of said suspension, adding further suspension medium to said first component where said medium is more dense than the pharmaceutical product or to said second component where said medium is less dense than th

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the membrane portion of waste egg shells from the hard mineral portion thereof, so that each can be used or further processed as desired, thereby addressing the environmental and economic issues associated with disposing of waste egg shells. The membrane and shell are separated by first processing waste egg shells so as to yield small waste egg shell particles. During this processing, the waste egg shell particles are at least slightly abraded, whereby the linking structure between the membrane and shell is at least partially disrupted. Thereafter, the waste egg shell particles are conveyed to a tank containing, preferably, water, and allowed to settle therethrough. As the waste egg shell particles settle, the particles experience turbulent forces in the liquid which cause the membrane and shell portions to fully separate. Since the membrane particles are very light, they tend to remain entrained in the liquid, where they are, for example, siphoned off and dewatered.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for extracting resin from plant material. Conventionally, plant resins, which are useful in many products, are extracted using chemical solvents, which may alter the extract, and may produce a by-product or residue that may be unusable or problematic. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by using cold water in a wash process to cause the resins to become brittle, while the remaining plant material becomes more flexible. Separation is accomplished using an extractor (10) having a washing chamber (12) with an open top (14) and a screen filter (16) disposed above a settling chamber (18). A collection bottle (24) is placed below a valve (22), and may include a filter (26) to separate resin particles from the solute. The washing chamber is first filled with cold water and then a quantity of plant material (P) is placed therein, followed by an ice layer (30). An agitator (32) is then actuated to mix the contents to separate the resins.

Abstract: In a process for controlling the product composition in an apparatus for sizing and sorting mineral raw materials, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one chamber, a sizing separation of the sand fraction into a sand product mass and into a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged via the overflow, is additionally performed in the chamber by means of the level of the fluidized bed in the chamber. For the adjustment of a pre-set concentration of micro particle sand in the sand product mass, the fluidized bed level is controlled such that the micro particle sand fraction in the supplied raw material mass is divided, by means of the fluidized bed, as a function of the pre-set admissible concentration into a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged into the sand product mass and a micro particle sand fraction to be discharged via the overflow.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the brightness and increasing the yield of a kaolin clay by optimizing the removal of the titania and mica impurities in the clay and the amount of clay remaining in the slurry is disclosed. The method is a selective flocculation process wherein the clay is blunged, dispersed, and conditioned before flocculation. In the flocculation step, a high molecular weight anionic polymer and a low molecular weight anionic polymer, such as sodium polyacrylate, are added to the slurry after the conditioning process, whereby the titania-mica enriched flocs are separated from the suspension which is enriched with kaolin. This final kaolin product has titania levels ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%, a reduced mica level, a high usable product yield, and a brightness greater than 89.5 and at least 91.5.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ferrohydrostatic separation method in which the apparent density of a ferrofluid used to separate materials according to density is controlled by a magnetic field generated by a solenoid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating a mixture of materials having different sizes and densities is described. The apparatus includes a trough (12), a dispersing and conveying screw (40) and fluid distribution manifolds (26 and 28). The screw has a dispersing portion (50) with paddles (52) which disperse the mixture and a conveying portion (46) with flights (48) which move the first and second materials (152 and 154) up the trough. The fluid distribution manifolds supply both water and air to the trough through fluid orifices (30 and 32). A spray bar (56) is located adjacent the conveying portion of the screw. The mixture is fed into the trough over the fluid orifices and the dispersing portion of the screw. The mixture is dispersed and forms an aqueous suspension (158) with the water. The first and second materials settle out of the aqueous suspension and are conveyed up the trough.