Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for recovering a target material from an aqueous stream. The target material can be a natively hydrophobic target material, such as a hydrocarbon material, such as coal. The target material can also have a surface modification that renders it hydrophobic. Systems for recovering the target material can comprise an extractant formulation comprising a light hydrocarbon solvent and a high molecular weight hydrophobic polymer, wherein the extractant formulation is mixable with the aqueous stream in a mixer to form an admixed solution having a hydrophobic portion and an aqueous portion, with the target material partitioning to the hydrophobic portion; a separator for isolating the hydrophobic portion from the aqueous portion; and a collector to which the hydrophobic portion is directed, wherein the target material is recovered from the hydrophobic portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe a high performance combinatorial method and apparatus for the combinatorial development of coatings by a dip-coating process. The dip-coating process may be used for multiple applications, including forming coatings from varied sol-gel formulations, coating substrates uniformly with particles to combinatorially test particle removal formulations, and the dipping of substrates into texturing formulations to combinatorially develop the texturing formulations.

Abstract: A method for magnetic ore separation and/or dressing is provided, in which metalliferous recoverable materials are separated from conveyed metalliferous ore rock.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a novel method of sorting seed by providing a first seed population with a fluorescent indicator and a second seed population visually identical to the first seed population under standard operating conditions. The seed populations are combined to provide a combined seed population. A lamp having an output corresponding to the activation wavelength of the fluorescent indicator and a color sorting system are paired to count or separate the seed populations, as desired.

Abstract: A process for separating at least one hydrophobic material from a mixture comprising this at least one hydrophobic material and at least one hydrophilic material, which comprises the steps: (A) preparation of a slurry or dispersion of the mixture to be treated in at least one suitable dispersion medium, (B) contacting of the slurry or dispersion from step (A) with at least one solid, hydrophobic surface to bind the at least one hydrophobic material to be separated off to this, (C) removal of the at least one solid, hydrophobic surface to which the at least one hydrophobic material is bound from step (B) from the slurry or dispersion in which the at least one hydrophilic material is comprised and (D) separation of the at least one hydrophobic material from the solid, hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the separation of solids from a semi-solid viscous mass, the method comprising treating a solids-containing semi-solid viscous mass in an apparatus comprising a separating member incorporating a substantially flat solid surface and a supporting member, wherein the separating member is adapted to selectively impart directional momentum to the solids, thereby facilitating separation of the solids from the semi-solid viscous mass. Preferably the separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface adapted for vibrational motion, the vibrational motion causing the solids material to be displaced from the remainder of the semi-solid viscous mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing concentrated spots of collected particulates from an impact collection surface, and transferring those particulates into a container suitable for preparing a liquid sample. A jet of fluid can be utilized to remove and transfer the particulates. If a liquid jet is employed, care is taken to minimize the quantity of liquid to avoid unnecessarily diluting the sample. A mechanical scraper can alternatively be employed to remove and transfer the particulates into the container. The scraper can be rinsed with liquid or vibrated to remove the particulates. Alternatively, the portion of the surface containing a specific spot of particulates can be removed and placed into a container.

Abstract: The present invention employs a virtual impactor to separate a flow of fluid into a major flow and a minor flow, such that the minor flow contains a higher concentration of particulates of a desired size. The minor flow is directed toward an archival surface, causing the particulates to impact against and be deposited on the archival surface. Over time, the archival surface and the virtual impactor are moved relative to one another such that particulates collected at different times are deposited as spaced-apart spots on different portions of the archival surface. The particulates are stored on the archival surface until analysis of the particulates is required. The archival surface can be coated with a material that enhances the deposition and retention of the particulates and can further be coated with materials that sustain the life of biological organism particulates deposited on the archival surface.

Abstract: A mixture of beads of uniform size from is deposited in an array by establishing discrete attachment areas each consisting either of a droplet of adhesive or a small area of a continuous adhesive layer exposed through an aperture in a mask. Beads which are trapped by the attachment areas are released either by a solvent on a vacuum manifold, or by evaporation of the adhesive, preferably by means of a vacuum centrifuge. The beads are released into capillaries, in which cleavage of attached compounds, or synthesis of new compounds, can be carried out. Also invented is the apparatus used in carrying out the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel NO-releasing compounds which comprise a stabilized S-nitrosyl group and a free alcohol or a free thiol group. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the NO-releasing compounds. The method comprises reacting a polythiol or a thioalcohol with a nitrosylating agent. Also disclosed are medical devices coated with the disclosed compounds, methods of delivering NO to treatments sites in a subject by utilizing the medical devices and methods of sterilizing surfaces.

Abstract: Improvements in the existing procedures and materials for conduct of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) are disclosed. Superior superparamagnetic particles, optionally coated with a polysaccharide or other, usually organic, materials can be prepared in uniform compositions with homogeneous magnetizations. The coating can conveniently be conjugated to a specific binding moiety complementary to a biological material whose purification or separation is desired. In addition, plastic coated matrices which form superior magnetic gradient-intensifying supports are disclosed, along with improved methods and apparatus to conduct HGMS.

Abstract: Improvements in the existing procedures and materials for conduct of high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) are disclosed. Superior superparamagnetic particles, optionally coated with a polysaccharide or other, usually organic, materials can be prepared in uniform compositions with homogeneous magnetizations. The coating can conveniently be conjugated to a specific binding moiety complementary to a biological material whose purification or separation is desired. In addition, plastic coated matrices which form superior magnetic gradient-intensifying supports are disclosed, along with improved methods and apparatus to conduct HGMS.

Abstract: A scroll-conveyor centrifuge for separating a suspension into at least a liquid phase and solid material which is deposited through centrifugal force on the interior surface of the centrifuge bowl and which is conveyed along that surface to the solid material discharge opening located at an axial end portion of the bowl through rotation of the centrifuge helix at a differential rate with respect to the bowl. Abrasion of the interior bowl surface and operating power requirements due to movement of the solid material in the direction of the bowl circumference are both reduced by the simple expedient of applying to the interior bowl surface a texturing through the spray application of a thin adhering layer having a rough surface facing the helix.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a purified fraction from a mixture using a magnetic fluid wherein the mixture is contacted with the magnetic fluid to preferentially sorb the fluid onto selected components so they become magnetized and the magnetic components in the so-contacted mixture are separated from the nonmagnetic components by passing the mixture through a magnetic field. The method finds particular use for obtaining a purified sample of crop seed from a mixture of crop seed and soil of the same size and texture and for separating nut shells from nutmeats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating an oil phase from an aqueous phase by means of a rotating drum apparatus containing one or more compartments, each being partially filled with oleophilic free bodies. When containing two or more compartments, they are separated by an apertured baffle. The interior surfaces of the drum are oleophilic and the portion of the drum sidewall, where the mixture is removed is apertured. Due to the oleophilic free bodies and interior oleophilic surfaces, the aqueous phase velocity through the drum is faster than the oil phase which adheres to the oleophilic surfaces causing an in situ buildup and agglomeration of oil phase in the drum. The mixture exiting the apertured drum sidewall is partitioned by the tumbling free bodies, oleophilic drum surfaces and drum rotation such that aqueous phase leaves the drum between the 6 and 9 o'clock positions of counter clockwise rotation where free body concentration is minimal.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering non-metallic minerals, particularly phosphate, from an ore containing non-uniform sized particles, including colloidal particles. The ore is slurried in an alkaline, aqueous solution with a dispersing agent. A flotation collector is added, and the mixture is contacted with a hydrophobic, high molecular weight, nonionic polymer to flocculate the fine particles and make them amenable to subsequent flotation. A second embodiment provides a process for the recovery of an upgraded non-metallic ore from ore slimes, such as phosphate slimes, utilizing a high molecular weight, polyacrylamide, anionic flocculating agent.

Abstract: A method of recovering gold from an ore containing micron gold or gold dust is disclosed. The gold is recovered by providing a silver coated surface, coating the silver coated surface with mercury, washing a mixture of ore and water over the mercury such that an amalgam of gold and mercury is created on the silver coated surface, removing the amalgam from the silver coated surface, and heating the amalgam. The same method may be used to recover platinum from an ore containing micron platinum or platinum dust and also to recover silver from an ore containing micron silver or silver dust.

Abstract: Gold ore, or any other mineral treated to have a lyophilic surface, (e.g. chalcopyrites), is ground into a slurry in crusher (1) powdered coal and oil are added at location (2), and the mix is conveyed to a contact zone (3), where any micro-agglomerates formed are kept below 500 microns in size. Sequentially, the mix is passed to an agglomeration zone (4), where larger agglomerates of coal-oil and gold or the lyophilic mineral are allowed to form, then separated at (5) from the gangue (8), and recycle continuously via return line (6) and homogenister (7) to the contact zone (3), until a desired gold or mineral concentration in the agglomerates is achieved. Subsequently, the `loaded` coal-oil agglomerates are tapped off the return line (6) at (9), either batchwise or continuously, and the metal values are recovered by pyrometallurgical or concentional separation techniques.

Abstract: According to the method the stock suspension is moved across a mass force field due to gravity or centrifugal acceleration in the form of stock stream or current and contacts a pick-up surface moved in conjunction with the stock stream and at substantially the same velocity. The apparatus may comprise a housing in which a turbulent or vortex flow is generated and containing a rotor therein which possesses the pick-up surface. Further embodiments have a guiding wire or screen which is moved along a pick-up cylinder or is trained around the same and upon which there is formed a layer of the stock suspension by using a stock supply device. A band, for example a wire band, may be provided to pick-up the contaminants.

Abstract: A quantity of water deposited on sand particles is adjusted to a predetermined value by utilizing a method and apparatus disclosed having a hopper through which the sand particles to be treated are supplied. A velocity energy is imparted to the particles to project them in a predetermined direction, thereby causing the particles to collide against rotating drums. As a result of the collision, a portion of a quantity of water initially deposited on the particles is removed therefrom and transferred to the drums, which is thereafter separated from the drums by a centrifugal force created by rotation of the drums. A plurality of notches or slits may be formed to axially extend along the periphery of the drums so that the deposited water moving along the periphery will tend into contact with be separated therefrom when it comes to one of the notches or slits. An air jet stream passing through the respective slits to the outside will function to facilitate the water removal from the periphery of the drums.

Abstract: A mixture containing oleophilic surfaced mineral particles and oleophobic gangue particles in an aqueous phase is separated by means of an apertured oleophilic endless sieve supported in a separation zone by a revolving cylindrical cage having apertured sidewalls and supported in a recovery zone by a support roller, each section of sieve surface alternately revolves through the separation zone and recovery zone. The aqueous mixture is introduced as a slurry into the rotating cage. The endless sieve partly covers the outside surface of the cylindrical cage sidewall. An oleophilic adhesive is placed on the sieve as a coating or added to the aqueous slurry in the cage or both. The mixture tumbles inside of the cage and passes through the cage sidewall apertures to the sieve surface. The oleophilic mineral particles of the mixture adhere to the oleophilic adhesive and are captured by the sieve upon contact and conveyed out of the separation zone into the recovery zone.

Abstract: Mineral impurities can be effectively removed from coal by introducing oil droplets into an aqueous slurry of pulverized coal. Coal, which is lipophilic, attaches to the surface of the oil droplets and floats upwardly along with the oil droplets utilizing their buoyancy. On the other hand, mineral impurities, which are hydrophilic, are left in the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: A method for de-ashing crushed coal and transporting it in the form of pellets, said method comprising the following steps:A. the step of mixing pulverized coal with a binder to cover the surfaces of coal particles with the binder;B. the step of adding water to the pulverized coal;C. the step of stirring the slurry to disperse ash particles in the pulverized coal into water and to agglomerate coal particles in the pulverized coal by tumbling, whereby forming pelletized coal; andD. the step of separating the pelletized coal from the ash particles, and transporting the pelletized coal.The above basic four steps may be combined with the following steps depending on the state and particle size of raw coal:E. the step of crushing raw coal and separating it into high-ash coal and purified crushed coal, and further pulverizing the purified crushed coal and supplying the resulting powder to the above step A; andF.

Abstract: Finely divided solids suspended in liquids (such as aqueous slurries of coal fines) are agglomerated by flowing those suspensions and a binding agent into a turbulent-flow agglomeration zone along with a slurry of seed pellets having sizes and proportions correlated with those of the finely divided solids and the agglomerates being formed to induce particle growth by layering rather than by coalescence.

Abstract: A mixture containing a dispersed bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase and a continuous aqueous phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture. Alternately, a mixture containing a dispersed aqueous phase and a continuous bitumen, oil or hydrocarbon phase is passed for treatment through a rotating horizontal tumbler, containing hydrophilic and oleophilic free bodies, for the purpose of increasing the particle size of the dispersed phase and facilitating subsequent separation of the phases of the mixture.

Abstract: Oil sand feedstock is mixed in a tumbler with steam and water in the presence of inwardly extending oleophilic surface, that are attached to the drum interior, for the purpose of enhancing oil particle size thereby producing an oil sand slurry suitable for subsequent separation. Undigested oil sand, oversize rocks and debris may be removed prior to said separation.

Abstract: A reagent and a method for using the reagent for treating a solid material disposed in a liquid medium and having an oxygen-controlled surface condition. The reagent includes a liquid hydrocarbon, a reducing material and an activator material. The liquid hydrocarbon such as mineral oil has a specific gravity different from the specific gravity of the liquid medium. The reducing material such as phosphorous pentasulfide is present in an amount sufficient to establish a reducing environment around the solid material for breaking the oxygen control on the surface of the solid material. The activator material such as zinc thiophosphate is present in an amount sufficient to establish an electrostatic charge on the solid material after the oxygen-controlled surface condition has been broken. A more specific feature of the invention is directed to the method of flotation of extremely fine bituminous coal having an oxygen-controlled surface condition.

Abstract: Fine coal particles are recovered from a slurry of finely divided coal by mixing coarsely divided coal and a binder together to cause the binder to adhere to the surfaces of the coarsely divided coal pieces, mixing the slurry with the coal pieces having the binder adhered thereto to cause fine coal particles to adhere to the binder over the surfaces of the coal pieces serving as nuclei and thereby form agglomerates, and separating the agglomerates from the remaining slurry portion to recover the fine coal particles along with the coarsely divided coal and the binder.

Abstract: The method of separating the solid phase in a drilling mud includes forming from the drilling mud an adhesion layer 2 on a rotated curvilinear closed surface 3 partly projected into the drilling mud. Then a portion of this adhesion layer is separated onto another rotated curvilinear closed surface 5 positioned to contact a portion of the adhesion layer 2. The respective linear speeds of the adhesion layer 2 and of said another rotating closed curvilinear surface 5 in the area of their contact are selected to be substantially equal. The method of the invention provides for regulating the separation of the solid phase in drilling mud within a wide range depending on the mineralogical composition thereof.

Abstract: A method for separating solid phase from drilling mud, comprising forming from drilling mud an adhesive layer 4 on a revolving closed curvilinear surface 3 by partially submerging it in the drilling mud and forming from a treatment liquid (5) an adhesive layer (7) on another closed curvilinear surface (6) which is caused to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first curvilinear surface (3). Both closed curvilinear surfaces (3, 6) are arranged in such a manner that their adhesive layers (4, 7) penetrate one another at a depth sufficient for the adhesive layer (7) of the treatment liquid to take-off coarse solid phase particles from the adhesive layer (4) of the drilling mud. Linear velocities of the adhesive layers (4, 7) are chosen in such a manner that the resultant centrifugal forces be equal to or lower than the centripetal forces.

Abstract: In methods for producing agglomerate particles from aqueous slurries containing from about 10 to about 40 weight percent solids, the solids comprising finely divided carbonaceous solids and finely divided inorganic solids, by mixing the aqueous slurry with oil in a first mixing zone to form a mixture and thereafter further agitating the resulting mixture in at least one other mixing zone to produce agglomerate particles containing the carbonaceous solids and the oil and recovering the product agglomerate particles, an improvement comprising (a) separating finely divided inorganic solids from the aqueous slurry after removal of the product agglomerate particles therefrom; (b) thereafter separating smaller agglomerates of carbonaceous solids and oil from the aqueous slurry after separation of the product agglomerate particles and the inorganic solids therefrom; and (c) recycling the smaller agglomerates to the second mixing zone.

Abstract: A selective flocculation process is provided for the treatment of phosphate ores formed essentially of apatite and a mixture of silicate minerals, for the separation and valorization, i.e., recovery, of the fines, particularly of the fractions whose particle size is less than about 40 .mu.m.

Abstract: An improved method for agglomerating finely divided carbonaceous solids is disclosed. The method comprises mixing the solids with oil having a softening point above about 100.degree. C in an aqueous medium at a temperature above about 120.degree. C and at a pressure greater than about 1000 mm Hg.

Abstract: A separation process is disclosed herein for selectively removing agglomerated carbonaceous particles from aqueous suspension, the remaining inorganic particles being removed as a waste product. A source product containing finely divided carbonaceous particles and associated inorganic particles is treated by known techniques to cause the carbonaceous particles to agglomerate. The resultant mixture of such processes contains water, a liquid hydrocarbon, inorganic particles and the agglomerated carbonaceous particles. This resultant mixture is fed continuously into the vertical center of a mixing tank. The mixture is there agitated by an impeller which rotates in the horizontal plane. The agglomerated carbonaceous particles rise to the top of the mixture and are recovered as an overflow stream, the particles thereafter being rinsed with water and dried to produce the desired product. The heavier inorganic particles settle to the funnel-shaped bottom of the tank, and enter the inlet of an auger.

Abstract: Process for color sorting of particulate glass employing as the basic concept the differential heating by irradiation and absorption of preselected colored glass particles and contacting such irradiated and differentially heated glass particles with an organic thermoplastic material which melts over a narrow temperature range, the preselected colored glass particles being heated by such irradiation to within the aforementioned temperature range and causing melting of the organic thermoplastic material in contact with such glass particles but without causing melting of the inorganic thermoplastic material in contact with the other glass particles, and thereby enabling separation of the differentially heated colored glass particles in contact with the melted organic material from the remaining glass particles.