Abstract: A method for fractionating a milled grain product into coarse and fine fractions includes providing a sieving apparatus with a bottom chamber divided from a top chamber by a sieve, an inlet port in the top chamber, a top chamber cover defined by a plurality of openings, and a first exit port in the bottom chamber, and applying vacuum suction to the sieving apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for the environmental remediation of materials that are contaminated with heavy minerals, such as heavy metals. The invention finds utility in removing heavy minerals from materials such as soils, sediments, mine tailings and ores. The invention provides a means for removing heavy minerals from contaminated materials without the use of water while reducing the generation of dust. Thus, the invention provides an environmentally friendly method for the remediation of sites that are contaminated with heavy minerals.

Abstract: A method for processing low grade iron ores includes a step of receiving iron ore tailings. The method further includes separating the iron ore tailings into two or more groups based on sizes of the iron ore tailings. Each group includes a respective portion of the iron ore tailings. The method also includes processing the portion of the iron ore tailings in at least one group using a density separation process to generate iron ore concentrate.

Abstract: A cementitious composition capable of forming high early strength cement when admixed with water may comprise, for each 100% by weight, no more than about 60% by weight C3S, at least about 4% by weight C2S, and between about 7% and about 11% by weight SO3, wherein the cementitious composition has a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are of a size of about 10 microns or smaller. A cementitious composition may have a ratio of weight % SO3 to weight % Al2O3 of at least about 1.5 and a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are of a size of about 10 microns or smaller. An apparatus and method for making such a cementitious composition are also described.

Abstract: A cascade pan may be disclosed. The cascade pan may comprise a surface located proximate a fan having an exhaust. The surface may comprise an upper portion arranged above a lower portion. The surface may define a plurality of openings and may be arranged to receive a portion of air exiting the exhaust.

Abstract: The apparatus for separating residues from a thermal waste treatment into one fine fraction and one coarse fraction comprises a housing (1) abutting on swinging elements (2), said housing having a plurality of diagonally offset plates (3.1-3.5) that are disposed one beneath the other and are connected to said housing (1) by their side edges, and being equipped with means (5) for generating a vibration component oriented in the direction of the plates (3.1-3.5) disposed diagonally offset downward. The apparatus further comprises one suction line (6) as well as an inlet opening for a gas that may be passed between the plates for wind sieving. Residues or slag from a waste treatment plant or an incineration plant are supplied to this apparatus in order to separate them into at least one fine fraction and one coarse fraction.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator. The recycled mixed cullet can be used by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.

Abstract: A concrete processing apparatus (10) including at least one chute (14) along which crushed concrete and impurities is to pass. The chute (14) is downwardly inclined and has an air outlet to which air is delivered from a blower (29). An air stream issuing from the air outlet is directed across the interior of the chute (14) to deliver impurities to an impurities outlet (23).

Abstract: Processing waste materials to recover valuable metals, such as copper, from the materials. The disclosed systems and methods employ processes that further refine the waste materials to concentrate the metallic material after the waste materials are initially processed. Processes include employing air separation and screening. Processes also include employing a dynamic sensor and a vacuum pressure separator to separate metals from other materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for obtaining recycled mixed cullet at a beneficiator and/or a material recovery facility (MRF). The composition of the cullet, or portions thereof, can be certified for use by a party other than the beneficiator and/or the MRF. The recycled mixed cullet can be used, for example, by glass plants to make new glass articles, such as beverage bottles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a quantity of cullet having at least two colors of glass from an input stream of recyclable material and non-recyclable material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sortation station, a screening apparatus, an air classifier, and a crushing apparatus to provide as output substantially pure cullet having at least two colors.

Abstract: Process for pre-concentration of recoverable polymer materials formed from residues from grinding consumer durable goods at the end of their lives such as automobiles, computer equipment and household appliances, consisting of treating the residue by steps in sequence consisting of screening, aeraulic separation, grinding and ultimate aeraulic separation, to eliminate the major part of contaminating materials from them, such as metals, glass, rubber, sand or others in order to obtain a fraction pre-concentrated in recoverable polymer materials by recycling. The pre-concentration process is a means of reaching preferably at least 85% by weight of recoverable polymer materials by recycling.

Abstract: A screening system designed to provide separation of multiple fractions of New Screens Fines. News Screens Fines (“NSF”) contain a mix of compressed, unmarketable recyclables that are generally less than four inches in size created as a by-product of current Material Recovery Facility (MRF) plant designs used to process single-stream recyclables. The NSF separation system uses a series of primary and secondary classification apparatus to separate materials into marketable products that meet legislative requirements. A series of screens, conveyors and air moving systems are designed to separate waste from fractions of glass, plastic and ferrous metals that can be sold.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: In order to make it possible for an inhomogeneous residue generated in a pyrolysis plant to be separated continuously and in as fully graded a way as possible, specially selected components are combined with one anther in an advantageous configuration. An essential element of the plant is the separation of a coarse residue in a coarse screen and the subsequent separation of the remaining residue in a zigzag separator into a light residue and a heavy residue. By use of the plant, in particular, the carbon-containing constituents are separated from the remaining residue. The individual components are mostly configured to be self-cleaning for fault-free operation.

Abstract: A two-stage static air classifier has a feed duct through which particles of a granular mixture fall. A classifying louver plate having fins forming upwardly inclined classifying channels is fitted into a side opening in the feed duct. Particles of a set size are drawn by air suction through the classifying channels in the first stage. A separator box having an inlet connected to the outlet of the classifying channels collects the separated particles in a second stage as the entrained particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the separator box while the air streams drawing the particles through the classifying channels pass out the top end of the box. Adjustable baffle plates transversely extending through the box permit control of the quantity of fines collected with the particles at the separator box bottom. Size of the collected particles is determined by the speed of a fan at the top outlet of the separator box.

Abstract: A method of beneficiating coal in a dry process includes separating raw coal from a coal mine into coal fines and larger pieces of coal using pressurized air, separating the larger pieces of coal according to size, removing ash from the larger pieces of coal on an air table, and further removing ash from the larger pieces of coal using a size-discriminating device to obtain a beneficiated coal product. The invention also includes an apparatus for the dry beneficiation of coal. The apparatus includes at least one air separating device, at least one air table, and at least one first and second shakers which separate the coal by size and remove ash from the coal. The air table effectively removes ash from infed coal without the need for a fluidizing media.

Abstract: A grain cleaner has an indent cylinder assembly which includes a removable cylinder. The cylinder is removed by unwrapping it from around a frame. The grain cleaner also includes at least some augers with drop away troughs. The grain cleaner also includes grain cleaning assemblies such as, for example, indent cylinders and rotary screen drums and/or grain cleaning assemblies drive systems which are mounted on framework members capable of pivoting outwardly from the machine allowing access to machinery and components positioned centrally within the grain cleaner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing or cleaning ceramic components that are contaminated with dust deposits are provided. Relative vibrations are generated between the ceramic components and the ambient atmosphere for dislodging dust deposits from the ceramic components. Dislodged dust deposits are collected and conveyed away for disposal or further use. To accomplish this, a screen base is disposed within a closable chamber. A first conveyor is disposed within the chamber below the screen base and leads to a transfer station. A mechanism for generating relative vibrations is disposed between the screen base and the atmosphere of the chamber. An enclosed second conveyor leads from the transfer station to a replacable receiving vessel. An infra sound producer is disposed within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixed granular material into granules of different specific gravities or ranges of specific gravity using a powered air flow is described. A divider plate is located below the air flow path within the apparatus to separate the two material flows from each other. The divider plate can be rotated about an axis and can also be translated or displaced within the apparatus in order to precisely define the separation point between the material flows. Hoppers are used to collect and discharge the separated granular materials, and a conveyor belt is provided within the apparatus to transport one of the separated granular materials to the corresponding hopper. The conveyor belt reduces clogging of the separated granular material and also allows a greater degree of separation to be maintained between the hoppers, thereby allowing standard conveyors to be placed beneath the hopper discharge openings.

Abstract: A cereal separation apparatus includes a frame and a size grading device mounted at an upper portion of the frame for grading particles according to a size of the particles. An oscillating specific gravity grading device is mounted at a lower portion of the frame. An air flow-producing device produces an air flow for effecting the specific gravity grading. A feed passage feeds the particles, selected by the size grading device, from the size grading device to the specific gravity grading device. The size grading device comprises a perforated, hollow cylinder for grading the particles according to particle size. The cylinder is supported on the frame for rotation about an axis of the cylinder. The specific gravity grading device is supported on the frame through oscillation support portions. The apparatus further comprises a rotation drive device for rotating the hollow cylinder and an oscillation drive device for oscillating the specific gravity grading device.

Abstract: An abrasive blasting apparatus is provided which comprises a blast nozzle arranged in a blast chamber for blasting, toward a workpiece, two different kinds of abrasive particles separately supplied from a first abrasive container and a second abrasive container. The abrasive particles falling to the bottom of the blast chamber are collected by an abrasive collector, and the collected abrasive particles are separated by an abrasive separating system into those of the first abrasive material and those of the second abrasive material. The two different portions of the abrasive particles are returned separately to the first and second abrasive containers through feedback conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reaching a 99% separation of bast and core fibers from herbaceous fiber producing plants using a series of pre-separation cleaning and conditioning steps which place the bast and core fibers in a better condition for separation before they are actually separated. The harvested fiber plants are cut at a specified length. These fibers are then introduced into a conditioning apparatus which breaks up and dries, but does not yet separate the bast and core fibers. The conditioned fibers are then introduced into an auger and feeder which distributes the dried fiber over up to four identical separation lines. Each line includes at least one core separator made up of a large rotating spiked cylinder partially surrounded by a spiked, grated housing, a smaller rotating spiked cylinder which produces an air flow, and an upwardly moving inclined conveyor having openings therein.

Abstract: An ASR separation and recycling system which permits the separation of ASR into many constituent components for recycling or reuse. Among the products recovered are steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, other non-ferrous metals, fine magnetic fraction (iron oxide product), clean grit, polyurethane foam, various plastics, fibers and rubber. The ASR separation and recycling system comprises four major components. The first is initial size and separation of ASR into three separate fractions. The second component comprises a grit processing subsystem. The third component is a rubber and plastics recovery subsystem and the fourth component is a polyurethane foam separation and cleaning subsystem.

Abstract: A method for separating the long outer bast fibers from the short woody inner core fibers of herbaceous fiber producing plants which includes the steps of requiring that such plants harvested at a certain cut length are processed through a first and second stage core separator, each of which includes a rotating spiked cylinder and a set of angled moving conveyors for coarse separation of the bast and core fibers; then processed through a first and second incline core separator each of which include a series of rotating spiked cylinders provided at an inclined angle; then introduced into a single saw separator; then passed through a jet air separator having an adjustable blade therein; and finally, run through a four cylinder fiber cleaner. Each of these steps provides further and more complete separation of the woody core fibers from the longer bast fibers so that by the time the bast fibers exit the four cylinder cleaner they are over ninety-eight percent (98%) free of the woody core fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides containers or storage bins for separate storage of the seeds of each size fraction in the course of their postharvest ripening, interposed between the primary and secondary seed cleaners and connected to the secondary cleaner through a conveyer, which effects a separate feed of the seeds of each size fraction for further treatment.

Abstract: Municipal waste materials are processed by crushing the materials so that pieces of noncombustible material are smaller than a selected size and pieces of combustible material are larger than the selected size. The crushed materials are placed on a vibrating mesh screen conveyor belt having openings which pass the smaller, noncombustible pieces of material, but do not pass the larger, combustible pieces of material. Consecutive conveyors may be connected by an intermediate vibratory plate. An air knife can be used to further separate materials based on weight.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for classifying particulate matter wherein unclassified particulate is projected into a spiraling fluid stream passing through an annular classifying zone. The particulate is projected into the fluid stream from the inner boundary of the classifying zone and the particulate passes through the fluid stream according to the size or density of the particles thereby facilitating the classification of the particles. The fluid stream with the particulate entrained therein is separated into a plurality of annular streams at the end of the classification zone thereby separating the particulate into distinct size fractions.

Abstract: Rotary grain cleaning machines are well known. The present invention provides a grain cleaning machine comprising an aspirator unit and a screen unit. The screen unit has an inner frame assembly suspended from an outer frame assembly, inclined screen decks secured to the inner frame assembly and means for causing the inner frame assembly to rotate in a substantially circular path within the outer frame assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and dry method for de-shotting shot-containing mineral wool fibers wherein the fibers are treated in a granulator to compact them into entangled nodules, and the nodules are passed through an air classifier to open up and de-shot them. In a preferred embodiment, a felted layer of mineral wool is subjected to a first granulation step to divide the layer into a multiplicity of lightly compacted nodules which are then partially de-shotted, and the partially de-shotted nodules are subjected to a second granulation step to more tightly compact the nodules before they are introduced into the air classifier.

Abstract: Suction device for obtaining dust samples of nearly homogeneous grain sizes and with a reproducible bulk density for the analysis of ores. The device, which is suitable for use during the mining of ores, includes a cylindrical casing, having an opening at each end thereof, and a cylindrical sieve insert, having an opening at each end thereof and being coaxially located within the casing. An inwardly-facing conically-shaped insert, located at the front end of said casing, provides flow communication between the front end of the casing and the sieve insert. A suction pipe socket is located laterally on the casing for attachment to suction-generating equipment. A filter is located over the mouth of the conically-shaped insert. The front end of a downwardly-curved dust-conducting tube is in direct communication with the back end of the sieve insert. There is a tube for collecting samples from the dust-conducting tube.

Abstract: In a method of and assembly for sorting a granular two- or multi-component mixture, containing a number p of granular, polydisperse solid components to be sorted out the particles of which differ in density and/or shape and have at least partially overlapping particle size and settling rate (particulate characteristics) distributions the mixture, in which the components are present sortable, is subjected to two dry classification steps in which different particulate characteristics of the particles are decisive.

Abstract: A catalyst screening unit having a housing which receives incoming feed catalyst under positive pressure, a screen for sizing and separating whole catalyst from broken catalyst, dust, and fines, a vibrating member to vibrate the housing and the screen therewith, and a lower, waste chamber for collecting broken catalyst and fines to be directed outwardly therefrom the housing, and having vacuum provisions therewith for removing dust separately from the fines, such that the cleaned whole catalyst may be used within a catalytic reactor.