Abstract: A process for removing mineral matter from feed coal employing liquid carbon dioxide. A water slurry of pulverized feed coal is mixed with liquid carbon dioxide. Demineralized coal is collected in the liquid carbon dioxide phase while separated mineral matter concentrates in the water phase. The two liquid phases are separately drawn off and their solid contents recovered.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the brightness (beneficiating) of kaolin clays by removing titanium impurities is disclosed. The claimed method is a selective flocculation process wherein clay solids are blunged (dispersed) in water together with a dispersing agent and an ammonium salt conditioning agent. When a water-dispersible anionic polymer is added to the dispersed and conditioned clay suspension, titanium flocs are separated from the suspension yielding a whiter kaolin clay product. Unlike prior art selective flocculation processes, the use of highly-dilute dispersions and/or multiple washing steps is not required.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method of settling fine calcium carbonate solids from a suspension comprising water and calcium carbonate, comprising adding to said suspension an effective amount of an admixture comprising: (a) an anionic polyelectrolyte; and (b) an anionic surfactant, wherein said polyelectrolyte/surfactant ratio ranges from 10:1 to 1:5, by weight.

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: A method of spreading a pulp for the purpose of drying it naturally, the pulp having a solid fraction which has a d.sub.80 of less than 100 microns. This method comprises the following steps:(a) adjusting the level of solids of the pulp to between 2 and 25%;(b) adding a flocculating agent to the pulp and mixing it with same, the amount of said flocculating agent being between two thirds and 98% of the optimum required for the flocculation of said pulp; and(c) spreading the mixture of pulp and flocculating agent, in the open air, in a bed the sides of which are permeable, and the bottom of which has a slope of less than 5 meters per 1000 meters, said spreading taking place 1 to 20 minutes after the adding and mixing of the flocculating agent.

Abstract: Dimercaptodihydroxy alkanes are used as a curing agent for epoxide resins and as ore flotation agents.

Abstract: An improved method for flocculating suspended particulate solids from an acidic aqueous medium and for clarifying said aqueous medium comprises initially contacting the suspension with a water-soluble polymer having an anionic character followed by contacting the suspension with a water-soluble polymer having a cationic character. Such method is particularly useful in clarifying acidic aqueous media used in mining operations, etc.

Abstract: An improved dewatering agent for aqueous slurries of mineral concentrates comprising branched dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid used alone or in combination with sodium xylene sulphonate.

Abstract: A method for dewatering phosphate slimes and recovering a liquid solution involves adding a calcium sulfate hemihydrate to the slimes, mixing the resulting admixture to effect formation of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals in the admixture, and recovering a liquid solution from the resulting crystal-containing admixture.The calcium sulfate hemihydrate addition may be followed by addition of calcium sulfate dihydrate. The calcium sulfate hemihydrate addition may be preceded by acidification of the slimes to pH 1-3 with sulfuric acid, which addition may be followed by the addition of other calcium salts to the slimes.A sufficient amount of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate or both may be added to the recovered liquid solution to raise the pH of the liquid solution to a value above about 6.0. Mixing permits calcium phosphate salts to precipitate, allowing for separately recovering the calcium phosphate salts and a dephosphated liquid portion.

Abstract: A method for separating inorganic gangues from coal particulates dispersed in a coal refuse slurry comprises the selective flocculation of the coal refuse slurry by initially adding an anionic dispersant followed subsequently by adding an anionic flocculant, allowing the flocculating coal slurry obtained to settle and collecting a concentrated settled coal slurry having a lowered ash value. The dispersed inorganic gangues may be recovered by the addition of a cationic flocculant/coagulant with subsequent recycle of the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for flocculating phosphatic slimes which comprises (a) forming a concentrated aqueous solution from a water-soluble ter-or higher polymer water-in oil emulsion, (b) diluting said concentrated aqueous solution of ter-or higher polymer formed in step (a) with additional water, (c) mixing the diluted solution of (b) with phosphatic slimes under appropriate floc forming conditions and (d) allowing the suspended solids to settle from said slime to form an essentially clear aqueous supernatant.

Abstract: A method for removing inorganic sulfides from finely ground, non-sulfide minerals is provided. A polymeric agent having a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 300,000 and with a plurality of xanthate groups per molecule is admixed into an aqueous suspension including inorganic sulfides and non-sulfide minerals. The polymeric agent adsorbs onto the inorganic sulfides and maintains them as a dispersion while the remaining minerals are selectively separated, as by flocculation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for separating a concentrate containing two or more minerals having substantially similar paramagnetic properties by treating the minerals particles with a dispersing agent so as to maintain the particles adequately dispersed during a subsequent magnetic separation step. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for separating sulfide concentrate into at least two fractions. The process comprises obtaining a slurry of the sulfide minerals particles, adding a dispersing agent to the slurry so as to maintain the particles in the slurry dispersed during a subsequent magnetic separation step and thereafter passing the so dispersed particle slurry to a high gradient magnetic field whereby the more magnetic particles are retained within the field and the less magnetic particles pass therethrough thereby affecting separation.

Abstract: Acrylic acid copolymers and certain acrylic acid acrylamide terpolymers which contain amounts of 2-AMPS provide superior results when used to remove suspended red mud from aqueous solutions which contain alumina.

Abstract: A chemical reagent is mixed with the mixture to form a resultant reaction mixture under substantially nonoxidizing or oxygen-free conditions. A continuous movement of the resultant reaction mixture is established through a flotation zone while maintaining substantially quiescent flow conditions during the continuous movement thereof. A first outlet is used to discharge a free or unimpeded flow of material collected at the upper surface of the liquid carrier medium within the flotation zone. A second outlet is used to discharge an impeded flow maintained at a lower flow rate than the free flow from said first discharging outlet. The chemical reagent is composed of a liquid hydrocarbon, a reducing material and an activator material. A trough shaped vessel has a discharge end with an upper outlet means and a lower outlet means. The vessel has a structural configuration effective to provide the continuous, substantially quiescent movement of the mixture through the vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a flocculating process, especially for clay-water suspensions, in which high molecular weight polymers of N-loweralkyl substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides are used as flocculating agent. There are also provided novel polymeric flocculating agents which have the property of exhibiting a critical flocculation temperature, below which they will cause flocculation of suspended solids but above which they are ineffective as flocculants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for grinding graphite comprising:(1) forming a mixture of graphite and a graphite grinding aid;(2) grinding the mixture of graphite and graphite grinding aid to reduce the size of the graphite;(3) forming an aqueous slurry of the graphite particles, graphite grinding aid and water;(4) adding an amount of hydrocarbon oil to the aqueous slurry with agitation to form graphite-oil agglomerates;(5) separating the graphite-oil agglomerates from the grinding aid and water; and(6) removing hydrocarbon oil from the graphite-oil agglomerates to provide graphite particles reduced in size.

Abstract: An improved dewatering agent for aqueous slurries of mineral concentrates comprising branched dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid used alone or in combination with sodium xylene sulphonate.

Abstract: A mixture of low melting particles and high melting particles is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the low melting particles and below the melting point of the high melting particles thereby melting the low melting particles and forming a bond between the low melting particles and the high melting particles which bond is strengthened on cooling, the resulting agglomerate containing the low melting particles being separated from the unbonded high melting particles.

Abstract: By dispersing a clay-containing mineral matrix in an aqueous solution of EDTA before washing or classifying the ore, one obtains a system in which the subsequently formed clays consolidate at an unexpectedly high rate and to a higher final density.

Abstract: Method of treating a clay to remove therefrom titanium mineral impurities comprising the steps of mixing an aqueous clay with a collector for the titanium mineral impurities, a reducing agent, and, if needed, an activator preferably comprising a water-soluble ferrous salt; conditioning the resulting mixture of aqueous clay slurry, collector, reducing agent and activator to dissipate therein at least 25 horsepower hours of energy per ton of solids; subjecting the conditioned mixture to froth flotation and removing titanium impurities with the froth; and recovering clay having a reduced titanium minerals impurities content. The method includes the case where the activator is a ferrous salt formed in situ from iron impurities in the clay formed by adding said reducing agent in place of some or all of added activator.

Abstract: A method of treating a clay to remove therefrom titanium mineral impurities comprising the steps of mixing an aqueous slurry of said clay having a high solids content with an activator and a collector for the titanium mineral impurities; conditioning the aqueous clay slurry at said high solids content for a time sufficient to dissipate therein at least 25 horsepower hours of energy per ton of solids; adding to the conditioned aqueous clay slurry a polyacrylate salt deflocculant; subjecting the conditioned aqueous clay slurry undiluted containing the polyacrylate salt deflocculant to a froth flotation process and removing the titanium impurities with the froth; and recovering clay having a reduced titanium minerals impurities content.

Abstract: A novel process for separating high viscosity bitumen from tar sand. The process includes grinding the tar sand to obtain phase disengagement of the bitumen phase from the sand phase and thereafter using flotation techniques to obtain phase separation of the bitumen phase from the sand phase. Phase disengagement is assisted by using a suitable wetting agent such as sodium carbonate or sodium silicate during the grinding step, while the phase separation step is assisted by the inclusion of a promoter oil for the flotation step.

Abstract: Methods of converting raw coals into low ash fuels which are competitive with the heavier grades of petroleum-based fuels and into other products. The raw coal is comminuted in aqueous slurry until resolved into separate, particulate phases of coal and mineral matter. Then, an agglomerating agent is mixed with the slurry until the coal particles have coalesced into agglomerates, and the agglomerates are recovered from the slurry. The ash content of the product coal can be reduced even further by redispersing the product coal in clean water and then reagglomerating the particles of coal and/or by subjecting it to an acid leach.

Abstract: A method is proposed for processing high-ash coal sludges by flotation of a slurry in the cells of flotation units, particularly for processing gas coal and open burning coal which are difficult to float, in which the coal slurry to be processed flows through the cells of the flotation unit pre-conditioned and controllably, particularly with control of the dwell time. In a preferred embodiment, the control of the dwell time occurs by a controlled distribution of the slurry to cells of the flotation unit which operate in parallel. For the purpose of controlling the dwell time of the slurry in a flotation unit, cells which are traversed in parallel are additionally connected or disconnected as a function of operating parameters, such as slurry density or solids content or solids distribution.

Abstract: Both water and carbonaceous material are reclaimed from an aqueous slurry of particles of coal that contains both carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous materials, the slurry being comprised of at least 60 percent water by weight. Preferably, the geometric mean particle size of the coal particles in the aqueous slurry is less than 150 microns. Preferably, the processed aqueous slurry is formed by mixing a low solids aqueous slurry of coal and ash fines from a coal washer with a high solids aqueous slurry of coal and ash fines from a settling pond. A fluid that is in a free-flowing liquid state at temperatures below 80.degree. C. and, preferably, at temperatures below 20.degree. C., and that is lyophobic to the water and the non-carbonaceous particles of the coal, and lyophillic to the carbonaceous fine particles of the coal is added to the aqueous slurry to form a first mixture in which less than 20 percent by weight of the fluid and the carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous coal particles is fluid.

Abstract: A non-diluting flotation apparatus and process is disclosed which includes a single cell, or a series of multiple cells. Each cell comprises a non-agitated, flotation vessel having a submerged inlet in its upper portion for feeding a previously treated or conditioned clay or ore suspension in water. The suspension flows downward in the vessel to an outlet from which a combined product and recycle stream is taken. Thereafter, a recycle stream is separated and air bubbles are entrained into the recycle stream which is returned to the lower portion of the cell. In the cell the entrained air rises as very small bubbles, flushing certain mineral impurities removed from the clay with the air. The air and impurities form a froth atop the liquid surface and the froth is mechanically removed.

Abstract: A method for continuously processing a kaolin clay which has relatively poor high-shear viscosity when prepared as a high-solids suspension, so as to obtain therefrom a fraction having a value of high-shear viscosity in high-solids suspension which is low relative to the starting clay, thereby being desirable for use in coating of paper. The method comprises the steps of forming the kaolin clay into a dilute aqueous suspension having from 10% to 20% solids by weight and forming said suspension into a continuous flow stream; mixing the stream of flowing suspension at a given point with from about 0.001% to 0.

Abstract: A process for the concentration and dewatering of an aqueous suspension of feldspathic minerals, comprising adding to the suspension a filter aid having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and wherein x and y are integers greater than 0 whose sum is between 2 and 15.

Abstract: A process for recovering metallic values by putting the values into solution and separating undesired mineral matter from the solution using countercurrent flotation is provided. The process involves leaching metallic values from host rock, conditioning the resultant ore pulp with the required reagents to achieve selective flotation of mineral matter in the metallic values solution, introducing the conditioned ore pulp into flotation cells, along with counterflow of solution from an immediately subsequent flotation step, wherein simultaneous washing and flotation is achieved, and the mineral matter is removed leaving a solution of the metallic values. The resultant mineral matter froth product is subjected to subsequent stages of flotation and simultaneous washing with counterflow of solution removed from each subsequent stage of flotation, water and/or barren solution being used for washing in the final flotation stage.

Abstract: A method of separating fine coal particles from refuse particles comprising the step of:(a) providing a coal filter cake(b) forming a slurry of fine coal particles, refuse particles in a liquid mixture comprising water and organic liquid,(c) contacting said coal filter cake with said slurry,whereby a major portion of said water and a major portion of said refuse pass through said filter cake and a major portion of said organic liquid and a major portion of said fine coal particles pass across the top of said filter cake.

Abstract: This specification discloses a greatly simplified method and system for recovering coal from a particulate coal bearing slurry (1) in which an appropriate hydrophobic liquid or emulsion of hydrophobic liquid in water (2) is introduced into the inlet of a centrifugal turbulent flow slurry pump (3) simultaneously with the introduction of said coal bearing slurry to said pump inlet, said hydrophobic liquid being introduced in a quantity sufficient to achieve substantially intimate contact between said hydrophobic liquid and coal particles in said slurry whereby the coal may be separated from the slurry by discharging the slurry from the pump directly over a simple static screen or other suitable separating device (4) whereupon the separated coal matter (5) may be collected for subsequent use.

Abstract: A method for upgrading the bitumen content of tar sands, wherein a raw tar sand slurry admixture of tar sands, water, collectors, and dispersing/wetting agents is milled; conditioned and then separated by a series of froth flotations at ambient temperatures from about 2.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C. to recover a concentrated bitumen tar sand product which may be processed by conventional means to recover oil from the bitumen. Enhanced recovery of bitumen may be accomplished by moderate heating in one or more of the flotation zones to about 50.degree. C. The method permits recovery and recycle of various components used in processing of the tar sand.

Abstract: A process for the removal of arsenic compounds from tungsten and/or molybdenum concentrates by selective extraction, characterized in that the concentrates are extracted with an aqueous solution of a ferric compound at a pH below 2.5 and a temperature of at least 60.degree. C.

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 process for removing ash from coal comprising the steps of pulverizing the coal to fine particles, admixing water with the finely divided coal to prepare an ash-containing slurry of finely divided coal, mixing with the slurry an oil and seeds in the form of oleophilic solid grains and serving as granulating nuclei to granulate the finely divided coal, separating the resulting granules from the mixture and washing the granules with water to remove the ash, and disintegrating the washed granules to obtain a deashed coal and recover the seeds for reuse.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which removes gangue minerals from phosphate rock by forming an aqueous slurry of phosphate rock and its impurities, then using a low boiling, nonpolar, water insoluble, bridging hydrocarbon to selectively agglomerate the phosphates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of metallurgical grade coal and low ash coal by the combination of froth flotation and selective agglomeration.

Abstract: A method for regulating the granulometric characteristics of the components in metallurgical slags comprising the step of imparting a vibration to the slag, after the separation of the slag from the metallurgical furnace while the slag is being cooled. The imparted vibration frequency and amplitude is adjustable and ranges respectively from 12 to 100 Hz and 0.2 to 5 mm and when circular vibration is imparted from 0.4 to 12 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to ureylene prepared by reacting an oxyalkylated polyamine with urea and to uses of such ureylene for example in removing oils, solids, and combinations thereof from aqueous systems, etc.

Abstract: Unbleached sulphae fibres are chemically separated from other fibres by the use of high molecular polyalkylene oxides, preferably polyethylene oxide. The polyalkylene oxides are added to aqueous suspensions of fibre mixtures and hereby flocculates unbleached sulphate fibres in a selective manner and the flocks can be separated by known methods such as sedimentation, flotation, filtration etc. Use of polyalkylene oxides for selective flocculation of unbleached sulphate fibres gives the possibility of upgrading for example recovered fibres, broke and secondary fibre raw materials.

Abstract: A process for removing ash from raw coal is described, comprising adding mineral oil to a slurry composed of a coal powder and water, granulating the coal by stirring to form granules, and separating the resulting coal granules by a screen, wherein the improvement comprises granulating the coal using a mineral oil mixture consisting of from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a heavy fraction having a boiling point of at least 330.degree. C. and from 90 to 99.9% by weight of a light fraction having a boiling point of 230.degree. C. or less, heating the coal granules separated by the screen to evaporate and recover almost all of the light fraction, and reusing the recovered light fraction for granulation of additional coal granules.

Abstract: Low molecular weight compolymers and terpolymers of the general structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a methyl radical, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or COOM and M is a hydrogen, alkali metal cation or ammonium ion, exhibit excellent depressive action in the flotation of non-sulfide mineral ores thereby resulting in improved selectivity and recovery. The low molecular weight copolymers and terpolymers, perform depressing action without resulting in any associated flocculation in the flotation system. These copolymers and terpolymers can be combined with other known depressing agents in nonsulfide ore flotation processes such as starch, dextrin, water soluble gum and the like, to obtain equivalent or improved selectivity and recovery than would be obtained using these depressants alone.

Abstract: This invention relates to alkylated derivatives of polymerized aromatic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds as illustrated by polymerized pyridine, quinoline and derivatives thereof; and uses thereof.These compositions are polymerized by treating said aromatic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds at elevated temperatures and pressures with catalytic amounts of alkyl halides and then alkylating the polymerized products formed.The polymers of this disclosure are useful in many areas including utility as corrosion inhibitors, water clarification, as microbiocides, in resolving emulsions and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to thiazine quaternary ammonium salts of polyepihalohydrin and the preparation and uses thereof. The compositions are ideally expressed by the polymer unit ##STR1## where Z is S, SO, or SO.sub.2, R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group,R' is a hydrocarbon groupand X is halogen.

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: Phosphoric acid is purified by a process which comprises treating the crude acid solution with a body feed agent, powdered carbon and a flocculating agent to cause a major portion of the soluble and insoluble impurities to be removed in a single operation. In the preferred process, hot wet process phosphoric acid from the plant filter is first cooled to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 130.degree. F. and then treated in the above-described manner.

Abstract: There is described a process for separating from a mixture of mineral components at least one of the components. The process comprises the steps of (a) dispersing the mixture of mineral components in water so as to form an aqueous suspension containing said mixture of mineral components, (b) mixing together said aqueous suspension and a non-polar organic liquid in which there has been dissolved or suspended an anionic collector for at least one of the components of the mixture of mineral components, the volume ratio of said aqueous suspension to non-polar organic liquid being controlled and the conditions under which said aqueous suspension and non-polar organic liquid are mixed together being such that only a small amount of energy is dissipated therein in a short time in order to effect the mixing together thereof and one liquid is uniformly dispersed in the other but a stable emulsion is not formed and (c) thereafter separating, or allowing to separate, the two liquid phases.