Abstract: Conventional starches are chemically crosslinked for use as selective depressants in the flotation of non-sulfide mineral ores. The process employing these crosslinked starches requires lower reagent dosages, exhibits improved selectivity and recovery and exerts a lower load on existing waste treatment facilities. The crosslinking agents employed are bifunctional and are used in sufficient quantities to result in 500 to 10,000 anhydroglucose units per crosslink.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for beneficiating a kaolin clay pigment to improve the rheological properties of a high solids suspension subsequently formed therefrom. According to the method, a 10 to 20% solids aqueous suspension of a kaolin clay is subjected to a selective rheological separation, by mixing the suspension with from about 0.001% to 0.1% by weight of dry clay, of a high molecular weight anionic polymer, and allowing the thereby treated suspension to separate into a sedimented phase, and a supernatant phase which is substantially free of aggregates; and separating the supernatant phase containing the beneficiated kaolin pigment in suspension. The suspended product of the process can then be conventionally processed, as by reductive bleaching, floccing, filtering, washing, dispersing, and drying.

Abstract: A coal slurry containing 10-60% solids by weight is optionally first coarsely ground to about 20-80 mesh. Contaminant matter released thereby, may be separated by conventional means such as froth flotation which would eliminate a large proportion of the ash which is energy consuming as well as abrasive in nature. The "clean slurry" would now have water added back and would be further ground to about 100-300 mesh particle size and would then be cavitated by sonic energy making the particle size even smaller and freeing any remaining contaminants including iron pyrites and ash. To this, a mixture of oil is added and the coal, oil mixture is then sonified during which process spherical agglomeration of the coal and oil occurs. The agglomerate and water mixture is screened to separate out most of the water leaving behind about 10-40% water in the coal, during which process the contaminants are also discharged with the water. The spherical agglomerates are mixed with a balance of oil to about 0.

Abstract: Various clay substances, such as kaolin, can be reversibly deflocculated by treating the flocculant clay slurry with a deflocculating amount of a polymer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n averages at least 4; M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium, and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution. When the polymer depolymerizes, the clay slurry will reflocculate under agitated or quiescent conditions. The length of time that the slurry remains fluid depends on the pH, the concentration of the polymer, and the hydrolytic stability of the polymer.

Abstract: Process for removal of water from a mixture of water and certain solid residues of carbonaceous material, such as a coal char-water slurry, which comprises mixing the slurry with an acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, a surfactant, preferably water-immiscible such as lecithin, and an organic compound such as a liquid hydrocarbon, e.g. mineral spirits, causing the char to agglomerate, and thereby facilitating separation of the char from the mixture, as by screening, and filtering or centrifuging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying desirable particles of powder metal by size and removing particles of undesirable material of a different density than the metal particles. There is included a housing defining a closed flow path for a recirculated stream of protective gas different than ambient air. A particle supply device introduces particles into the housing at a controlled rate in a downwardly falling stream. A plurality of receptacle trays are disposed in the housing generally vertically below the particle supply device with each tray having a forward lip positioned forwardly in the direction of the gas flow of the trays thereabove.

Abstract: In a process for upgrading an aqueous slurry of fine coal by agglomerating coal particles and separating the agglomerates from the slurry the proportioning of the amount of binder used to agglomerate the coal can be substantially optimized by correlating it with the amount of non-agglomerated particles which remain in the slurry, and the ratio of the value of the upgraded coal to the coal of the binder.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing hydrophilic constituents from flowable hydrophobic mixtures and suspensions which comprises forming a tenacious paste by mixing water with finely divided material which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in water and in the organic liquid in the hydrophobic mixture or suspension, which is inert to the organic liquid and the hydrophobic materials in the hydrophobic mixture or suspension and which is capable of selectively adsorbing said hydrophilic constituents. The paste is formed in a mixing-type liquid-liquid contactor so that a layer of the paste forms on and clings to the impellers and other internal surfaces of the contactor.

Abstract: Low-grade, finely disseminated, ores that are not readily amenable to conventional flotation can be upgraded by a selective flocculation-magnetic separation-flotation process. Non-magnetic particles in such an ore can be selectively flocculated either by iron particles in the ore that contain residual magnetite or by the addition of a finely ground magnetic concentrate to the ore. The selectively flocculated pulp is then passed through a magnetic separator for the rejection of siliceous gangue. Depending on the grade of the magnetic concentrates, either cationic or anionic silica flotation may be applied for further upgrading.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silicon carbide whisker recovery from a mixture of silicon carbide whiskers and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles. The invention involves shredding the mixture down to a specified particle size, dispersing the mixture in water to form an aqueous mixture, agitating the aqueous mixture, adding surface active reagents to the aqueous mixture, agitating the resulting water-reagent mixture, subjecting the water-reagent mixture to froth flotation having at least three stages, removing tailings therefrom containing water and silicon carbide whiskers and removing float therefrom containing reagents and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles, performing a solid-liquid separation on the tailings and the float, thereby obtaining from the aqueous solution the desired silicon carbide whiskers and obtaining from the reagent solution a carbonaceous silicon carbide particle product.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing an organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of water-soluble organopolysiloxanes or water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxanes provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal in the dewatering process that is disclosed.

Abstract: Aqueous slurries of fine coal are dewatered by a process which comprises mixing a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane with the slurry, separating the slurry to recover the fine coal and further drying the fine coal, if desired. The use of a mixture of a water-soluble organopolysiloxane and a water-emulsifiable organopolysiloxane unexpectedly provides improved separating and/or improved drying of fine coal compared to a dewatering process that uses only one of the organopolysiloxanes.

Abstract: A process for producing a high grade molybdenum disulfide powder suitable for use in the formulation of chemicals and as an intermediate for synthesizing high purity molybdenum compounds by which an impure particulated molybdenite concentrate feed material is pulverized and thereafter is subjected to a plurality of purification treatments to effect a progressive extraction of the contaminating mineral constituents entrapped within the molybdenite particles. The purification treatments comprise a wash treatment of the molybdenite concentrate containing up to 10% by weight of hydrocarbon oil employing an aqueous solution forming a slurry which is subjected to successive steps of high shear agitation and low shear agitation to break up the agglomerated molybdenite particles and to effect a release of the mechanically entrapped very fine mineral particles which remain suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

Abstract: An iron ore is finely ground and slurried prior to being subjected to treatment with a selective flocculant for iron values. Subsequent to treatment, the iron values are allowed to settle into the underflow concentrate and be recovered. The selective flocculant employed is a hydroxymethylated polyacrylamide having a high molecular weight and a degree of hydroxymethylation in excess of about 50%.

Abstract: A method for producing agglomerate particles from finely divided carbonaceous solids by mixing the solids with oil in an aqueous medium in a first mixing zone; passing the mixture to a second mixing zone; and mixing an additional quantity of finely divided carbonaceous solids with the mixture in the second mixing zone.

Abstract: Selective flocculation of iron ores is accomplished through the employment of partially carboxylated polyacrylamides as the selective flocculant. The partially carboxylated polyacrylamides employed in the selective flocculation contain from about 20-65% carboxyl groups and are of a molecular weight in excess of one million. The selective flocculation process performs a separation of iron ores predominantly containing semitaconite, oxidized taconite and hematitic-goethitic jaspers from their associated siliceous gangue.

Abstract: Coal recovery processes of the agglomeration type in which solvent extraction with a fluorocarbon solvent is used to recover the agglomeration promoting additive.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal particles wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates having modified particle size and density characteristics. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by gravitational means. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates having modified particle size and density characteristics. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by size separation means. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by dissolved gas flotation. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.

Abstract: The sulfide surfaces of finely-divided impure iron sulfide-containing minerals such as pyritic ores or coals are rendered hydrophilic by the adsorption of conditioned, inorganic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. This adsorption of conditioned bacteria occurs in a short time to render the surfaces hydrophilic and allows these altered sulfide particles to be separated from hydrophobic solids by flotation, oil-agglomeration or the like. This bioadsorption process has particular applicability to pyritic coal beneficiation.

Abstract: The use of a selective cationic polymeric flocculant in conjunction with froth flotation of coal results in increased coal recovery.

Abstract: A novel titanium dioxide hydrate is provided whose structure exhibits X-ray diffraction peaks at 24.6.+-.0.4.degree. and 48.+-.0.4.degree., and which is suitable as an adsorbent material. A process for preparing the novel titanium dioxide hydrate also is provided which includes hydrolyzing a specific titanium sulfate solution and thereafter flocculating colloidal titanium dioxide hydrate by the addition of a monobasic acid and recovering the titanium dioxide hydrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a fibrous mass from peat, in which, after a primary sorting operation, the peat-material suspension is liquid-concentration regulated by supplying thereto an amount of liquid depending on the degree of humidification of the dug-up peat, and then supplying the suspension under pressure to at least one screening member having a permeability depending on the peat-fiber concentration of the peat-material after the concentration regulation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for optimization of the coal slurry dewatering process. Through a regulation of the fine grain content, it is possible to keep the filter cake at a constant level and thus to maximize the dewatering process. A separation of the slurry into a predominantly relatively fine grain fraction and a relatively coarse grain fraction, with the division point being between about 0.03 and 0.15 mm, is carried out, with a formation of a coal agglomerate from the fine grain fraction, and a dehydration of both the coarse grain fraction and the coal agglomerate from the fine grain fraction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silicon carbide whisker recovery from a mixture of silicon carbide whiskers and carbonaceous silicon carbide particles. The invention involves shredding the mixture down to a specified size, dispersing the mixture in water to form an aqueous mixture, mixing in an effective amount of flocculating agent, agitating the aqueous mixture, mixing the aqueous mixture with an immiscible organic liquid, agitating the resulting water-organic liquid mixture, allowing settling of the aqueous mixture and organic liquid so as to establish two liquid phases, separating the two liquid phases into an organic liquid phase and an aqueous phase and, lastly, performing a solid-liquid separation on the aqueous phase, thereby obtaining from the aqueous phase the desired silicon carbide whiskers.

Abstract: Phosphoric acid is purified by a process which comprises treating the crude acid solution with a body feed agent and a flocculating agent to cause a portion of the impurities to settle out, and contacting the partially clarified acid with activated carbon for further impurity removal. 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: A method is provided for recovering zinc from non-sulfide containing zinc ore comprising the steps of grinding the ore to a pre-determined level; selectively flocculating the ground ore using a dispersing agent and a flocculating agent and froth flotating the flocs using an ester of a mercaptocarboxylic acid as a collector in the presence of a soluble sulfide.

Abstract: A method of beneficiating coal in which the coal is conditioned by agitating it in the presence of a dense halogenated hydrocarbon and a surface active agent to effect a transfer of surface water from the coal to mineral matter associated therewith and an agglomeration of the mineral matter and to envelop the coal in a film of the surface active agent. The conditioned coal is then introduced into a halogenated hydrocarbon bath having a specific gravity intermediate those of the coal and the mineral matter. The agglomerated mineral matter sinks to the bottom of the bath in the region of feedstock introduction, and the coal disperses in and migrates to the top of the bath.

Abstract: Phosphate slimes are effectively settled by the sequential addition of effective amounts of a low molecular weight acrylamide: acrylic acid copolymer of high anionicity and a high molecular weight acrylamide: acrylic acid copolymer of low anionicity.

Abstract: A stable, pumpable suspension of a calcium carbonate mineral is prepared by a method which includes the step of removing abrasive particles from a deflocculated, concentrated aqueous suspension of the calcium carbonate mineral by centrifuging the suspension at a solids content of at least 65% by weight under conditions such that the quantity of particles in said suspension having an equivalent spherical diameter larger than 10 .mu.m is reduced.

Abstract: Processes for recovering coal from a particulate composite in which the composite is mechanically worked in the presence of an agglomeration promoting additive and in an aqueous carrier to effect a separation of the particles of coal in the composite from mineral matter associated therewith, a coalescence of the coal particles into product coal agglomerates, and a dispersion of the mineral matter in the aqueous carrier. The product coal agglomerates are resolved into their particulate constituents, and the latter are subjected to a density differential separation which effects a separation of that material in the agglomerates which has a relatively low mineral matter content and a high coal content from that having a higher content of mineral matter.

Abstract: An aqueous pulp or slurry containing cement copper particles is treated with conditioner and hydrophobic bridging liquid to form agglomerates of the cement copper particles, which agglomerates are then separated from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Agglomeration type processes for recovering coal in which calcium oxide is employed to bring about an effective separation of pyritic sulfur from the coal.

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: Fine coals suspended in a coal flotation froth are more efficiently filtered when the flotation froth is subjected to a thickening operation prior to filtration. The thickening operation is accomplished by the use of a clarifier or thickener.

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: Mineral and coal concentrates are effectively dewatered by a process wherein there is employed a dewatering aid comprising of an N-substituted sulfosuccinamate. The process provides for mixing the dewatering aid to an aqueous slurry of the concentrate and thereafter subjecting the treated slurry to filtration.

Abstract: The aqueous slime waste product of a phosphate ore beneficiation process is dewatered by agglomerating the solids thereof using a conditioner and a hydrophobic bridging liquid.

Abstract: A process of separating fibres from asbestos-bearing material which process comprises the steps by treating said asbestos-bearing material with a chemical agent capable of reacting with, or adsorbing on, asbestos fibres to form a dispersion, and agglomerating said dispersion. The process gives high yields of novel fibres characterized in that the said fibres provide reinforcement in cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A method for magnetically separating titaniferous discolorants from a crude kaolin clay. A dispersed aqueous slurry of the clay is formed and ferrimagnetic particles are thereupon spontaneously coflocculated with the titaniferous discolorants by seeding the slurry with a system of said particles. The system includes predominantly sub-micron size particles, and the particles further, have an isoelectric point in relation to that of the titaniferous discolorants to enable the spontaneous coflocculation. The slurry is thereupon passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, to separate the coflocculated particles and discolorants at the matrix.

Abstract: A method for fractionating red blood cells by velocity sedimentation to remove those cells approaching lysis while at the same time maintaining the transfusability of the remaining cells.

Abstract: A method for separating a metallic mineral from an ore containing same. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the slurried mineral sought to be separated, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix.

Abstract: A method for magnetically beneficiating an ore by removing therefrom undesired metallic minerals of inherently low magnetic attractability. An aqueous dispersed slurry of the ore is formed, and the slurry is mixed with a system of transiently suspended ferrimagnetic particles of predominantly colloidal size. The particles are further characterized by an isoelectric point in relation to the mineral sought to be removed, such that the particles spontaneously co-flocculate with the mineral to seed same. The resultant seeded slurry is passed through a porous ferromagnetic matrix in the presence of a magnetic field, which separates the seeded mineral at the matrix, with the purified ore emerging from the matrix being recovered as product. This beneficiated product, i.e. now relatively free of the undesired species, can then (as appropriate) be further processed.

Abstract: Treatment of a slurry of a mineral concentrate with a flocculant followed by a combination of an anionic surfactant and a water-insoluble organic liquid provides reduced moisture content upon dewatering the thus-treated slurry.

Abstract: Iron ore is beneficiated using separation steps based on mineral composition without the use of separation steps based entirely on size. In a preferred sequence of steps the iron ore is passed from a ball mill through a magnetic separator where low iron content tailings are rejected and the concentrate passed to a flotation step, where a high iron content concentrate froth is made and the locked, middling particles are recirculated to the ball mill.

Abstract: An improved process for desliming potash ore, which involves treating pulped potash ore with a polygalactomannan gum flocculant and then with a polyamine collector. The treated potash ore is subjected to froth flotation to float off the siliceous gangue.

Abstract: A conditioning agent comprising a frother and a bis(alkyl)ester of a sulfosuccinic acid salt provides high coal recovery with reduced ash content.

Abstract: A method of modifying the formation of slimes, particularly phosphate slimes, by treating the ore matrix with an electrolyte solution, resulting in their more rapid flocculation.

Abstract: A process for the concentration of hydrated aluminum oxide minerals from raw materials by flotation alone or in combination with magnetic separation using a series of conditioning steps prior to flotation involving dispersion, precipitation and flocculation.