Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating a coating from an elastomeric material with the use of an extruder.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for separating all categories of polymer materials derived from waste characterised by successive steps and phases, implemented in the following order: sequentially, a grinding step is followed by a cylindrical drum form factor mechanical separation step, which is followed by a first density separation step in parallel steps, followed by energetic cleaning of the polymer materials and ending with a second density separation step in parallel steps. Said polymer materials can, if required, be extruded. The method enables to obtain different categories of polymer materials, and in particular PE, PP, PS, ABS, PP filled at 20 to 40% with PA, PMMA, Xenoy™, PVC.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to the use of non-toxic heavy liquids and slurries in the separation of components of ores, concentrates, residues, soils, and scrap. Specifically exemplified herein is the use of cesium and/or rubidium salts in separation processes. These salts are particularly advantageous because of their high specific gravity and solubility in water and, their low solution viscosities.

Abstract: Bamboo fibers are utilized to serve as a reinforcing material and for manufacturing an inorganic molded body. In order to produce the bamboo fibers with excellent durability, in a first step bamboo material is compressed to be roughly crushed and in a second step the roughly crushed bamboo material is fiberized using a grinding machine. The moisture content of the bamboo material subjected to the first step is set to be more than 65%. After the completion of at least one of the first and second steps a drying step is taken so that the moisture content of the bamboo material is adjusted to within the range of 3 to 35%.

Abstract: A method for providing an alternative periodic cover material for landfills by separating materials in a salvage operation. A non-sorted material stream including metallic and non-metallic components, which preferably includes automobile scrap, is fed to a shredder. After shredding, the non-sorted material stream is separated. The non-sorted material stream is first separated into two streams, namely, a heavy material stream and a light material stream. The heavy material stream is conveyed to a magnetic separator where ferrous metals are separated from non-ferrous materials. The light material stream is passed under a cross belt magnetic separator where the light ferrous metals are separated. The remaining light material stream is conveyed to a rotary trommel which separates the light material stream into two fractions based on size, with the fine material becoming relatively inert through processing and being used as a cover material for landfills.

Abstract: A process for cleaning plastic materials is disclosed, in which foreign materials adhered on and internally intruded into the plastic materials are cleaned to recycle the plastic materials. The process for cleaning plastics to recycle them according to the present invention includes the following steps. (1) A first cleaning is carried out on roughly crushed plastics of a size of 2-3 cm by using a solvent within a dumbler. (2) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the first cleaning. (3) A second cleaning is carried out on the plastics by using a solvent within the dumbler after the first cleaning. (4) The solvent is discharged out of the dumbler after the second cleaning. (5) The plastics are dried after the second cleaning by injecting a heated nitrogen gas into the dumbler. (6) The nitrogen gas is discharged out of the dumbler under a reduced pressure, whereby contamination materials adhered on surfaces and internally intruded are cleaned.

Abstract: The invention refers to a procedure and an installation for the pure, according to sort, processing of recoverable material refuse, with a selection of heavy disruptive materials, with a crushing process for the remaining raw refuse, with segregating processes for recoverable materials from the crushed raw refuse up to a mixture of plastic chips and with separating processes for the extraction of pure, according to sort, plastics.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming carpet components such as yarn, tufting primary, binder, and secondary backing wherein the carpet is sprayed with a high velocity water spray so as to disjoint the components from one another, and thereafter, separating the secondary backing from the yarn and tufting primary. Desirably, water is removed from the disjointed carpet after spraying the carpet with high pressure water spray. This system is useful for reclaiming components of broadloom carpet and carpet tiles and cleanly and efficiently separates tie components of carpet.

Abstract: A recycling process for garbage containing a high proportion of paper where printed paper is first separated from the garbage. The garbage is then into pieces and light and heavy components are separated out in a classification tank. The remaining organic mass suspended in water is hydrolyzed and subjected to anaerobic digestion followed by aerobic co-composting. The resulting solid is a high grade fertilizer while biogas produced by the process is converted to electrical energy in a combined cycle installation.

Abstract: Coated polymeric material is sized and fed into an extruder. The material is cooled to maintain the temperature of the polymeric material below its melt index. The shearing action of the extruder separates the coating material from the polymeric material. The discharge from the extruder is polymeric material and coating material. These materials are separated and recovered.

Abstract: A grinding composition is disclosed for the grinding particulate metal containing minerals containing as a grinding aid at least one hydroxy-carboxylic acid of five to six carbon atoms, containing at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl groups, or its soluble salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recycling of plastic-coated cable residues, which comprise a metal core and a plastic jacket, wherein the metal parts are separated from the jacket and are separately recovered. The cable residues are communited and the chopped material is softened in a swelling container (10) with a swelling agent for the plastic. Subsequent to softening, the mass flow is fed with the swelling agent to a roller cone mill (13). The roller cone mill (13) flexes the chopped material and destroys the macrostructure of the cable pieces mechanically. The metal particles are separated from the jackets by way of stirring in a stirrer (14), and the multi-phase mixture is transported to a metal sedimentor (16). The heavier metal particles sink down in the metal sedimentor (16) based on gravity and separate themselves from the lighter plastic particles.

Abstract: A plastic article or plastic container reclamation process if provided in which plastic containers are divided into relatively large pieces, then washed, agitated and separated using an aqueous solvent to remove residual materials. The residual materials such as motor oil are reclaimed for reuse and the aqueous solvent is regenerated for reuse in the process. Residual materials such as dirt, labels and adhesives from the plastic containers is recovered for recycling or passed to waste for disposal or reuse.

Abstract: According to the present invention, plastic waste mixture is first comminuted, and if required, subjected to magnetic separation and/or eddy-current separation, by which separable metals are removed. The comminuted plastic waste mixture is then mixed with a separation liquid in a mixing tank which has an outlet for heavy phase impurities. This suspension is directed to a hydrocyclone for a first separation procedure. The hydrocyclone is optimally adjusted in such a manner that any remaining unwanted heavy phase impurities together with the heavy phase undesirable plastics, such as the PVC fraction of the plastic waste mixture, is separated from the balance of the plastic waste materials as hydrocyclone underflow. The heavy underflow of the mixing tank and the hydrocyclone underflow may be further reprocessed separately or jointly.

Abstract: Bamboo fibers are utilized to serve as a reinforcing material and for manufacturing an inorganic molded body. In order to produce the bamboo fibers with excellent durability, in a first step bamboo material is compressed to be roughly crushed and in a second step the roughly crushed bamboo material is fiberized using a grinding machine. The moisture content of the bamboo material subjected to the first step is set to be more than 65%. After the completion of at least one of the first and second steps a drying step is taken so that the moisture content of the bamboo material is adjusted to within the range of 3 to 35%.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating contaminated soil is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reactor vessel for holding a volume of water which is subdivided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The chambers are in fluid communication and are partially separated by a baffle. A soil conveyor is provided for conveying a supply of the contaminated soil to the first chamber. A gas supply directs a supply of pressurized gas into the first chamber, thereby creating a turbulent mixture of soil and water in the first chamber to effect segregation of the soil into a substantially small particle size first fraction and a substantially large particle size second fraction. The reactor vessel includes a first outlet located in a lower portion of the second chamber for withdrawing a slurry comprising the second soil fraction from the reactor vessel. The lower portion of the second chamber may be funnel-shaped to help direct the mixture of soil and water toward the first outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a waxed fiber paper product with a high wax content to remove a substantial portion of the wax content includes the pulping of the wax paper fiber at an elevated temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the wax to separate a pulp fraction and to form an emulsion of water and molten wax. The pulp fraction is separated from the emulsion by filtering in a reverse pressure screen in which a finely perforated screen defines a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a major portion of the water/emulsion is removed from the suspension through the screen perforations leading from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, in which a rotor and foil arrangement within the reverse screen is operated under such conditions that the suspension at the high pressure side of the screen is maintained in a constant fluidized condition.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for coal gasification plant feedstock preparation. A raw feedstock slurry is fed to a hydrocyclone which separates and provides a primary carbonaceous-rich overflow. The primary overflow is further separated by a dewatering screen into a secondary carbonaceous-rich overflow and a media bleed slurry. The secondary overflow is crushed by a crusher and a portion of the media bleed slurry is added to the crushed secondary overflow for subsequent milling and conditioning.

Abstract: The present recycling process is accomplished by first shredding used plastics to produce shredded plastics, separating metals and undesirable plastics from the shredded plastics to produce separated plastics, analyzing the material composition of the separated plastics, and blending the separated plastics to produce a desirable recycled plastic.

Abstract: Municipal solid waste (MSW) material is sized to provide a particulate material which is density separated into organic and inorganic portions using a suitable polar acidic organic liquid medium. The organic-MSW portion is digested in the polar acidic organic medium such as phenol at conditions of 500-850.degree. F. temperature, 300-2000 psig pressure and 5-100 minutes residence time. The digested organic material is then fractionated to produce gas, a light liquid boiling below about 170.degree. C., the polar acidic organic liquid medium such as phenol, boiling between 170 and 220.degree. C., and a liquid slurry boiling above about 220.degree. C. and including a powder material melting above about 400.degree. C. The recovered acidic organic liquid fraction is preferably recycled back to the density separation and/or digesting steps for further use in the process. The liquid slurry fraction product having heating value of 9,000-16,000 Btu/lb.

Abstract: A method and system for recycling construction waste articles is disclosed. In the method and system of this invention, construction waste articles are crushed into primary pieces of not larger than 200 mm in size. The primary pieces are screened into aggregate of not smaller than 40 mm in size and earth and sand. The aggregate is washed in a water tank using a water jetting and aeration effect with any floating materials floating on water. The washed aggregate is separated from water using a screen prior to being crushed into final pieces having sizes of 45-75 mm. The final pieces are divided into standard aggregate of not larger than 25 mm in size and substandard aggregate of larger than 25 mm in size. The substandard aggregate is returned to a cone crusher so as to be recrushed.

Abstract: A process for recovery of a precious metals containing mineral from a non-sulphidic gangue mineral comprising:preparing a pulp of a material containing the precious metals containing and gangue minerals;conditioning the pulp with an oxidizing gas containing a gas selected from oxygen and ozone; andsubjecting the conditioned pulp to a flotation operation for recovery of the precious metals containing mineral.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for the processing of refuse mixtures which may include relatively high concentrations of plastic waste, such as refuse mixtures including waste packages originating from household refuse and industrial refuse and especially refuse mixtures including plastic waste in the form of sheeting, hollow bodies, beakers and composite materials whereby the solids of the refuse mixture are comminuted, the communited refuse mixture is then moistened, mechanically disintegrated, mixed with a separating fluid and then dewatered and separated by density by a sorting centrifuge thereby obtaining a plastic fraction which is free of impurities.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the separation of mixtures of plastics, contaminated with, among other things, mineral heavy materials such as e.g. sand or metal refuse. Separation occurs according to density in a separating liquid in the centrifugal field of the rotating suspension. The present invention provides the connection of a hydrocyclone before a separating centrifuge. The mineral heavy materials are separated in advance in the hydrocyclone and the plastic mixture is further separated in the centrifuge. Wear on components of the separating centrifuge caused by these heavy materials can be avoided, and in some applications a second separating stage at a higher separation density can be eliminated.

Abstract: Method and device for separating harder from less harder substances of a compact mass block (1) consisting of hard and less hard substances, such as magnesium or aluminum from slag and refuse containing magnesium or aluminum, thereby directing at least one fluid beam having at least 400 bar pressure against the mass block (1) for separating the harder from the less harder substances by breaking out pieces from block, whereby the nozzle or nozzles (11) and the mass block (1) are moved in relation to each other and the substances are cooled with water to reduce metal loss by oxidation.

Abstract: Improved control for the separation of waste materials, or materials having waste components, is provided by the injection of air, or other gas bubbles, into a water-filled tank while simultaneously depositing the waste containing material to be separated onto the top of the water. This method is especially useful where both portions of some or all of the materials to be separated from each other have specific gravities greater than that of pure water. The rapidly rising air bubbles provide turbulence and buoyancy to materials that are slightly heavier than water, such as water-soaked organic products, but do not prevent heavier materials, such as sand and metals from sinking. An apparatus is described which allows for the removal of both the floating and sinking fractions from the floatation tank.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from RPET flakes by a process which includes the steps of comminuting the RPET flakes to produce RPET particles and driving the contaminants out from the RPET particles.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for recovering valuable minerals using air lift concentration and progressive ore reduction. The ore is ground to a relatively coarse size, the ground ore is classified, and the underflow fraction floated to produce concentrate, middlings, and tailings fractions. The middlings fraction can be reground to liberate the valuable minerals and subjected to further air lift concentration. The classifier overflow fraction is passed through additional classifiers, the underflow fractions of which can be reground and refloated. The overflow fraction of the last classifier can be subjected to flotation to further enhance recovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming component plastics from a mixture of plastics wherein differentials in specific gravity serves as the segregation mechanism. The method includes the steps of: (1) fragmenting the plastic articles such that the resulting plastic fragments are generally of a preferred dimension and contain primarily one such component plastic; (2) sizing the fragmented plastic so as to remove plastic fragments which do not comport to the preferred dimensions; (3) adding a fluid medium to the plastic fragments to produce a slurry; (4) loosening contamination from the plastic fragments; (5) segregating the heavy and light components within the slurry based on specific gravity; (6) isolating the segregated plastic fragments; and (7) cleaning the heavy and light components to produce high purity plastic.

Abstract: An improved reverse crago process for beneficiating siliceous phosphate includes the steps of subjecting a siliceous phosphate ore material to amine floatation so as to obtain a prefloat concentrate, and screening the prefloat concentrate so as to separate it into 1) a fine predominantly phosphate fraction without substantial amounts of silica, and 2) a coarse fatty acid floatation feed fraction containing phosphate and substantial silica. The coarse fraction is subjected to fatty acid flotation so as to recover phosphate as a fatty acid flotation concentrate.

Abstract: A method of separating glass from film in a recycling of laminated panes, includes the following consecutive steps: in a crusher, breaking the glass carried on the film; heating the broken panes in a heating bath; and removing the glass from the film in a separating device.

Abstract: In order to obtain a Bi--Sr--Ca--Cu--O or Bi--Pb--Sr--Ca--Cu--O oxide superconducting wire, raw material powder is pulverized to remove particles of non-superconducting phases having large particle sizes based on difference in particle size, and thereafter the raw material powder is covered with a sheath of silver or silver alloy, so that the sheath is subjected to plastic working and the raw material powder covered with the sheath is sintered.

Abstract: The efficiency of grinding materials is improved by the addition of hydroxy-carboxylic acids of five to six carbon atoms contasining at least three hydroxyl groups and from one to two carboxyl grpous or their soluble salts as grinding aids. The grinding aids can be added as such or formed in situ by the oxidation of saccharides.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for submerged grinding of wastes includes a vessel that is filled with an alkaline liquid and which has a mechanism for grinding a feed waste containing organic solids, a feeding mechanism for charging the feed waste into the vessel, a primary screening mechanism for filtering the liquid being discharged from the grinding mechanism and a secondary screening mechanism by which the waste/liquid mixture that has been filtered by the primary classification mechanism is freed of the liquid fraction such that the waste is converted into a slurry.

Abstract: A method of removing fractional components from earthen material, including processes for removing precious carbon jewels from soil, precious metals from low grade ores, lead pellets from contaminated soil, and free sulphur from coal, is initiated with a pulverizing of the earthen material bearing the fractional component to be removed therefrom. Subsequent process steps vary, but include the washing of the pulverized material and then removing the fractional component through electromagnetic extraction, chemical dissolution and sieving. Since no contaminate is added to the residue remaining after removal of the fractional component, the residue can be returned to the ground from which the original material was obtained without effecting any additional pollution to the ground or water.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering waste carpet material components, especially face fiber material, includes removing adhesive material from the waste carpet material feedstock to obtain a mixture containing face fiber material which is passed with a liquid medium to a hydrocyclone, where the solids in the mixture are separated on the basis of specific gravity, and recovered. The recovered components can then be processed into desired products.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovery of constituent materials from lead acid batteries is shown in which the battery is dismantled in a stepwise procedure under which the materials are separated, not mixed and in particular in which the grid groups are removed from the battery case and processed in a liquid, preferably water, by hydrodynamic and mechanical agitation to cause the paste material to be freed from the grids and enter the water as a mixture of fine particles while the lead grid pieces drop to the bottom. The process does not require burning or chemical reaction and can selectively recover all constituent materials including, without limitation, high quality marketable lead dioxide from the paste material.

Abstract: A process for collecting waste plastics as separated comprises the steps of presorting out waste plastics from separated municipal refuse, crushing the waste plastics, reducing the volume of expanded polystyrene included in the waste plastics by heating the waste plastics at a predetermined temperature, finely dividing the waste plastics, washing the waste plastics to remove salt, etc. therefrom, separating the finely divided waste plastics in a liquid utilizing the difference between the plastics in specific gravity and collecting the separated fractions, and drying the useful one of the separated fractions.

Abstract: A molten melt of slag and grinding material is introduced into a mixing chamber to which a cooling and mixing agent is injected, the agent being compressed air, water or an air/water mixture which serves to cool the melt and form vapor and solidified particles. These are passed through a diffuser and are discharged as a jet which is directed to particle disintegrating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the single type recovery of plastic materials from starting pieces of a multiple composite material is disclosed. The starting pieces are firstly comminuted mechanically into particles of a size compatible with the process. These composite materials particularly are separated and a mixture of different materials is produced and, from this material mixture, the individual materials are isolated. For the recovery of starting pieces of prepreg fabric from flexible cutting residues, lined with films on both sides, the following steps are performed in sequence. First, the starting pieces are comminuted by cutting them up into shreds of composite material. Then the shreds of composite material are cooled down to temperatures below room temperature and, in a cold state, are subjected to a mechanical alternating bending stress and/or a shearing stress, the films becoming detached from the prepreg pieces in a scale-like manner to form a mixture.

Abstract: Method of pulping of waste papers is disclosed in this invention which includes a water supply and twin tube cylinder tanks mounted horizontally, and a shaft extending inside of the tanks, and flinger arms attached to the shafts, and the shafts rotate, being driven by electric motors, to pulp the waste paper in a water suspension, and the pulp slurry screened through a bank or plurality of perforated troughs and a perforated screw conveyor mounted in the perforated trough.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel concrete reclaimer cylinder with a closed chamber and a screen chamber. The reclaimer is disposed in a non-horizontal position such that screen chamber is positioned lower than the closed chamber and driven to rotate. Concrete product is received into the closed chamber at its receiving end and is washed with water to produce cement slurry. The cement slurry flows out of the closed chamber at the receiving end leaving a mixture of sand and gravel in the closed chamber. The sand and gravel mixture is advanced through the closed chamber by eight triangular blades. Each blade is planar in shape, with a screen portion disposed within each blade face, with a perpendicular portion extending from the front edge to direct the sand and gravel mixture through an aperture and into the screen chamber. The sand and gravel mixture is received in a rotating screen and washed by high pressure spray to separate the two constituents.

Abstract: A method for processing sewage eliminates chemical "treatment", or, the addition of chemicals that are as harmful or more so to the environment as raw sewage. The method of processing sewage disintegrates the generally solid components of sewage into a highly de-moisturized powder via alternative processes of either (i) a freeze-drying process, or (ii) a combination centrifugal separation and an evacuated "bake-out" process, both which substantially drive out the vaporizable components of the sewage. In consequence, there are no resultant effluent and/or exhausting vapors from this method which would impact the environment.

Abstract: Process for separating preshredded carpet materials into as many as three main components of different densities which comprises finely comminuting the carpet materials in the liquid phase. The density of the liquid phase is adjusted to a level between two adjacent densities of the components. Separation of one component from the other components and from the liquid phase in the suspension is effected in a double-cone full-jacketed screw centrifuge. The process is repeated if there are two materials of different densities in the other components fraction. The process is useful for recovering nylon, polyester, or polypropylene from carpet scraps which nylon or polyester can be depolymerized to reusable monomers and which polypropylene can be reprocessed into pellets, non-wovens or fibers.

Abstract: A process for enhancing ilmenite from deposits of mineral sands or mineral concentrates comprises a single stage fluidized bed magnetizing roast (16). A temperature of 650.degree. C.-900.degree. C. in an excess of a carbonaceous fuel (such as coal/char, CO or hydrocarbon) is used to provide an atmosphere in which the oxygen potential is controlled resulting in a consistently high magnetic susceptibility product. Roasting has been used before but the current process requires a lower intensity magnetic separation stage (18) and provides improved recovery (even of tailings produced by prior art roasting process). Annealing (17) of the roasted product improves the resultant magnetic susceptibility. Ilmenites having inclusions or selvedges of silicate minerals are further improved by employing a grinding step after magnetic separation prior to slagging or use as synthetic rutile feedstock. The roasting stage potentiates the ilmenite for leaching in the production of synthetic rutile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of a recycled plastic product from varnished plastic parts by multistagedly grinding but not pulverizing while at the same time subjecting same to a stretching treatment during the pulverizing step to loosen substantially completely all of the varnish sticking thereto. The resulting plastic and varnish particles are separated and thereafter packaged, typically, in the form of granulate. The resulting thermoplastic plastic recycled material does not contain any visible inclusions of more than 0.25 mm.sup.2 of varnished particles in the sheet test.

Abstract: Feed stock is made from an assortment of post-consumer polymer articles by assembling those articles of the assortment which are suitable for recycling into feed stock. The assemblage is granulated into particles of a size suitable for feed stock. A detergent solution of predetermined concentration is formed for cleaning the granulated particles. The solution is added to the particles during the granulating step to mix the detergent solution with the articles to facilitate cleaning during granulating.

Abstract: An improved method for recovering lead sulfides from a mineral deposits. Pulverized mineral deposit material is mixed with water, agitated with pH adjustment from about 8 to about 10.5 to form a slurry. Rapeseed oil is added to the conditioned slurry to render the surface of the lead sulfide particles hydrophobic. After agitating and adding a frothing agent, air bubbles are injected into the resultant composition to cause hydrophobic lead sulfide particles to become attached to the air bubbles and to rise and form a froth fraction which is then separated and recovered. The process uses substantially non-toxic rapeseed oil as a hydrophilizing agent. The process is less environmentally damaging, less costly and more specific in separating lead sulfides from iron containing minerals which are normally present in ores together with the lead sulfides.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of beneficiating graphite to a higher purity level by dislodging the impurities from graphite by attrition preferably in an attrition cell which has at least one set of opposing pitched impellers. A pulp is formed preferably essentially consisting of a flake graphite:attrition adjuvant:water in a ratio of 1:2:0.8 to 10 and this pulp subjected to attrition in an attrition cell.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more materials, at least one of which is supplied in packaged form comprises the steps of passing the packaged material to a processing unit while still in its packaging and then breaking open the packaging in the processing unit so that the material can escape therefrom. The materials can then be mixed in a mixing apparatus, with the broken down packaging subsequently being filtered from the mixed materials. In this way the material which is supplied in packaged form need not be handled directly. The filtered out packaging may be washed prior to disposal or recycling.