Abstract: A method for improving the performance of fracturing processes in oil production fields may rely on polymer coated particles carried in the fracturing fluid. The particles may include heavy substrates, such as sand, ceramic sand, or the like coated with polymers selected to absorb water, increasing the area and volume to travel more readily with the flow of fluid without settling out, or allowing the substrate to settle out. Ultimately, the substrate may become lodged in the fissures formed by the pressure or hydraulic fracturing, resulting in propping open of the fissures for improved productivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for comminuting particulate material by interparticle comminution in a bed of particles are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertical roller mill with a horizontal grinding table rotating about a vertical mill axis. At least one grinding roller presses resiliently against a bed of particulate material on the grinding track and applies a compressive force. The geometry of the mill is such that the roller engages the bed of particulate material with a substantially pure rolling action. This minimizes shear forces applied to the particle bed and minimizes the reduction of fines.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to diminish the sizes of most disintegrated material effectively, said sizes being determined by the box seats made on the surface of the under roll (7). In a disintegrator (1) having a case (4) with an upper hopper 2 and under exit (3), a pair of upper rolls (5, 6), an under roll (7) located below the upper rolls, and knives (8,9) projecting from inner surface of the case (4) toward the under roll (7) comprising a number of annular grooves (25) formed on the under roll (7), each groove (25) being coupled by a rotative disk cutter (27) at under side of the knives (8, 9). The under roll (7) is provided with polygonal installation seats (13), between adjoining installation seats (13) each attached by a number of cutting edge blocks (14) on a same circumference, said annular grooves (25) are formed between the adjoining installation seats (13).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and a method for recovering salvageable ferrous and non-ferrous materials from incinerated waste materials including friable, carbonaceous incineration byproducts such as ash and associated ferrous and non-ferrous metal components. The system includes at least one crushing means for selectively comminuting friable material comprised of a rotating roll having at least one protrusion, preferably a weld extending transversely to the direction of rotation of roll, on its exterior cylindrical surfaces in spaced relation to a backing plate. The backing plate is urged toward the roll by a bias means exerted a preferably adjustable pressure sufficient to comminute the friable carbonaceous material to a desired size, and insufficient so as to permit the backing plate to retract and allow passage of ferrous and non-ferrous components in the waste material through the crushing means substantially uncomminuted.

Abstract: A grain scratcher-moisturizer apparatus has an outlet connected by a screw conveyor to the infeed of a steam flaker assembly to provide substantial savings in the cost of treating feed grain. The scratcher-moisturizer has two driven parallel horizontal cylindrical rolls having closely spaced spiral grooves in their surfaces for receiving the base of a saw blade so that the teeth of the blade extend outwardly and are canted in the direction of rotation of the roll. Individual pivotal metal deflectors are mounted adjacent a respective cylindrical roll and grain is fed onto the driven rolls which hurl it against the deflector which deflect the grain back toward the roll.

Abstract: The dosage granulator comprises a feed hopper receiving reclaimed asphalt to be granulated. Under the lower opening of the feed hopper, a tearing up device is situated which is controlled by a conveyor type weigher mounted thereunder. The tearing up device comprises tearing rollers with knives, gratings, and a plurality of pressure arms reciprocating through the spaces of the gratings to press the material downwards. The tearing rollers rotate to drive the material towards the gratings, where it is cut by the knives in co-operation with said gratings. The dosage granulator may comprise a reciprocating stirrer situated between the tearing rollers. Reclaimed asphalt of a size of up to 30 cm may thereby be cut into granules of 5 cm. The amount of granulated material is adjusted by means of the conveyor tape weigher.

Abstract: Granulation of materials, particularly materials in stranded form, employing a rotatable cutter with multiple feed channels at different elevational positions along the periphery of the cutter. The granules of the feed material formed by the cutter are collected without further, unwanted cutting by using a separate, pressurizable discharge channel for each feed channel or by providing voids in the cutter through which the granules can fall, desirably with the assistance of feed channel applied pressure.

Abstract: Continuous scrap edge trimmings are fed from a sheet metal slitter into a scrap chopper incorporating a rotor shaft supporting axially spaced and circumferentially spaced elongated straight cutting bars each having a plurality of selectable straight cutting edges. Each rotary cutting bar revolves past a stationary straight cutting bar also having a plurality of selectable straight cutting edges, and each cutting edge is positioned at a compound angle relative to planes including the axis of the rotor to produce scissor-like shearing of each strip. Each stationary cutting bar is positioned adjacent a spring biased anvil and is supported with the anvil for remote adjustment relative to the path of the corresponding cutting bars on the rotor. Each edge trimming is fed into the cutting bars by a corresponding pair of feed rollers one of which is spring biased and the other of which is independently driven by a corresponding motor.

Abstract: Used foundry sand which is predominantly in the form of lumps containing a binder for the sand particles is regenerated. In the course of the regeneration, the lumps are comminuted and, simultaneously therewith, an at least partial separation of the sand and the binder is effected. The simultaneous comminution and separation is effected by a dry, mechanical procedure during which the lumps are subjected to an abrasive or scouring action. This is accomplished by means of a pair of vibrating or rotating brush-like members provided with steel bristles. These members are located adjacent the bottom of a trough-shaped strainer which permits the passage of sand particles having a size less than a predetermined size. A cover is provided for the strainer and serves to cause rebounding of particles which impinge upon it. A feed hopper feeds the lumps of used foundry sand to the brush-like members and a bar overlying the gap between the latter prevents entry of the lumps into the gap.