Abstract: A method for reclaiming plastic and cellulosic fiber from plastic coated waste. The method includes the steps of introducing previously hydropulped plastic coated waste into a size reduction unit to reduce the plastic coated waste to a maximum dimension of about 1-4 inches. The plastic coated waste is then subject to flotation with agitation to separate the plastic from the cellulosic fiber. The cellulosic fiber is then screened, dried, and baled. The plastic is further reduced to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inches and dewatered. The dewatered plastic is dried to a moisture content of less than 10% and rolled into plastic pellets. This method produces plastic pellets comprising from about 5 to about 10 weight percent cellulosic fiber and less than about 10 weight percent water from hydropulper plastic coating waste.

Abstract: Plastics are separated and recovered from mixtures containing plastics and other materials, by flotation in an aqueous dispersion, wherein the disperse phase comprises a substance such as for example calcium carbonate having an average mean particle size from about 1 micron to about 75 microns. The process is particularly useful for separating polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride from comminuted wire and cable scrap.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for the continuous granulation of high-density detergent granules of a predetermined size from a detergent powder, with the granulation apparatus comprising a granulation chamber, a feeding port located at the top of the granulation chamber, a first discharging port located at the bottom of the granulation chamber including valve means for opening and closing the port, a second discharging port located at the side wall of the granulation chamber, one or more horizontally rotating stirring blades attached to a rotational shaft positioned at the bottom of the granulation chamber which stir and mix the detergent powder, and one or more vertically rotating grinding blades located above the one or more stirring blades and attached to a rotational shaft positioned at the side wall of the granulation chamber which grind and classify coarse detergent particles; and the process comprising the steps of continuously feeding a detergent powder into the granulation chamber, granulatin

Abstract: A system for separating contaminants from the plastic flake obtained by granulating synthetic plastic containers and products, which have contaminants bonded thereto, has a cryogenic housing for receiving the flake and a transport mechanism incorporated with the housing for moving the flake in a flow stream through the housing. The flake is mixed with a cryogenic medium at a subzero temperature and an impeller receives the frozen flake in a flow stream. An impact wall is provided outboard of the impeller and the impeller is rapidly revolved to radially separate the flakes and hurl the flakes individually at the impact wall with sufficient force to break the bond between the flakes and contaminant.

Abstract: A process of separating vinyl skin from a foam backing and recovering the separated components by granulating the plastics composite into small chips, mixing the chips with a quantity of water in a vessel to swell and break the cell structure of the foam at the foam/vinyl interface resulting in flotation of the foam bits and sinking of the heavier vinyl bits. The separated foam is recovered by adding additional water to flow the foam material from the mix vessel. The vinyl is then removed from the bottom of the vessel and the separated components are dried for recycling or improved disposal purposes.

Abstract: A process for the purification of soil contaminated with organic material is provided. The preferred process generally involves superposed attrition and classification processes, which lead to removal and concentration of highly contaminated fractions. The process may also include a step of flotation whereby hydrophobic materials in the soil are released to an interface with air bubbles, and are floated to the top of a flotation cell. In preferred processes according to the present invention, soil to be treated is extracted from a contaminated site, and is broken into relatively small particles. These particles are preferably treated in attrition and classification steps, to remove fine, slow settling, contaminated materials such as wood and fine soil materials. The resulting isolated coarser materials are then treated by flotation for a final polishing step.

Abstract: A method for separating a first, relatively dense and hard component of a liquid mixture from a second, less dense and relatively soft component of the mixture. The method comprises introducing the liquid mixture into a settlement vessel (3); abstracting the settled solids from the settlement vessel (3) and passing the abstracted, settled solids through a shearing means (22); and returning the abstracted, sheared solids to the settlement vessel (3) thereby to permit the relatively hard component of the liquid mixture to settle and separate from the relatively soft component. An apparatus for separating a first, relatively dense and hard component of a liquid mixture from a second, less dense and relatively soft component of the mixture.

Abstract: A new depressant composition is provided for the enhanced separation into separate value metal concentrates of copper, nickel, zinc, lead present in polymetallic and massive sulphide ores.The depressant is added in an aqueous solution prepared by dissolving first a mixture of quebracho and dextrin, or quebracho and guar gum. To the solution of modified quebracho a water soluble salt of lignin sulphonate is added. The aqueous polymer of modified quebracho lighin sulphonate is further mixed with one or more of the following inorganic reagents: water soluble cyanide, metal sulphates and water soluble sulphites. The resulting depressant is added together with conventional flotation reagents in conventional mineral separation stages as required.

Abstract: A new depressant for use in enhanced separation of polymetallic sulphides is described. The depressant agent is used in conjunction with conventional collector agents and frothing agents in the flotation separation of copper, nickel, lead, zinc sulphides by depressing iron sulphides such as pyrrhotite, pyrite and marcasite in the tailing. The depressant consists of a cross-linked starch chemically combined with a polyacrylate and sugar free lignin sulphonate.

Abstract: Regrinding of middlings in a mineral-product dressing process of the kind in which the middlings are reground in order to crush individual half-grains and release valuable mineral therefrom, is carried out in a mill using an agitated grinding medium. The middlings are reduced to a particle size which is smaller than k.sub.80 =100 mm. There are used grinding bodies having originally a size of from 2 to 12 mm.

Abstract: Paper making pulp stock being processed in a pulper is caused to flow through an auxiliary passageway from the main body of the pulper tub and back to the pulper tub at the downstream end of the passageway, propelled solely by the fluid dynamics of the vortical circulation in the pulper. The stock is first caused to flow through a diverging section of the passageway, whereby its velocity along the passageway is caused to decelerate, thence to a section of relatively large cross-section, where the velocity of the stock is low, and gravity classification takes place, and thence to a converging section of the passageway where its velocity is caused to accelerate before re-entering the main pulper tub.

Abstract: A process is taught for preparing a coal substitute of low ash level from a composite of coal, mineral matter and pyritic sulfur comprising comminuting the coal composite in an aqueous medium to a size range which promotes the liberation of the mineral matter; subjecting the resulting slurry to fines agglomeration in the presence of a water-insoluble bridging organic liquid; separating the agglomerates from the liquid phase containing the bulk of the mineral matter and a portion of the pyritic sulfur; treating the coal fines by stripping the organic liquid from the fines surface; and redispersing the fines in an aqueous medium having a surface active agent to yield a high solids coal fines slurry so to permit magnetic separation of residual pyritic sulfur and other magnetic mineral matter.

Abstract: A method for enhancing hydrophobicity of high volatile bituminous coal and coals of a lower grade and for separating ash and sulfur (including pyritic sulfur) contaminants from coal in a floatation process. The method comprises the steps of grinding the coal to small particulate size, forming a slurry of the ground coal and mixing the slurry with at least one compound selected from the group comprising inorganic peroxy compounds, the preferred compound being oxone which is a mixture of potassium monopersulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate. This slurry is allowed to react to condition the particulate coal and develop increased hydrophobicity for the coal while depressing the sulfur contaminants and ash during froth flotation.

Abstract: A flotation apparatus used in reclaiming resin materials from bottles and other scrap articles each comprising a first low density resin component (e.g., polyethylene) bonded to a second high density resin component (e.g., polyethylene terephthlate); the scrap articles are granulated and air classified to form a primary particulate scrap which is flotation separated in two successive stages. The flotation separation stages each include a first auger in an apertured-bottom trough positioned near the top of a flotation tank with inlet means depositing a flow of particulate scrap and flotation liquid into one end of the trough; the heavy material output is afforded by a second auger in the bottom of the tank, whereas the lightweight material outlet is an overflow weir at one side of the tank. A vigorous washing apparatus using a hot aqueous medium connects the first flotation stage to the second, and a feedback connection conveys low density scrap back from the second flotation stage to the first such stage.

Abstract: An improved paper-making hydrous acid filler is prepared by classifying or pulverizing a slurry containing fine particles of hydrous silicic acid, which is obtained by neutralizing sodium silicate with sulfuric acid, by a wet classifier or a wet pulverizer, so that the proportion of particles having a particles size of 1 to 30 .mu.m is at least 80% and the proportion of particles having a particle size of at least 70 .mu.m is not more than 0.4%. The filler has a function of improving the ink receptivity of the paper of the internal additive type and is capable of improving the opacity of the paper after printing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating finely divided powders of brittle materials capable of sintering or injection molding, such as ceramics or intermetallic phases in a predetermined maximum size of the powder particles which is maintained with reliability.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing contaminating minerals from coal by true heavy-liquid media. The coal is comminuted to liberate a substantial portion of the minerals from the coal, the method comprising forming a slurry of the comminuted coal in a solution of smelter-grade sulfuric acid of specific gravity ranging from about 1.2 to 1.7, the specific gravity of the sulfuric acid solution selected being greater than that for the liberated coal but less than that of the contaminating mineral to be separated, thereby effecting substantial separation between the liberated coal and the contained minerals. The coal is removed from the solution and then washed to remove occluded acid therefrom.

Abstract: Methods of recovering agglomerated particles of a carbonaceous constituent such as coal from a composite of that constituent and mineral matter. An additive is incorporated into a slurry of the composite to control the agglomeration time and/or to insure that the carbonaceous particles will agglomerate. Appropriate additives are:Naturally occurring hydrocarbonaceous substances such as road asphalts, Gilsonite, pentane extracts of coals, tar sands oils, coal tars, and alcohols having six or more carbon atomsCastor oilIsopropyl etherHydrolized linseed oil2-Ethylhexyl acetateIonic dispersants such as ammonium salts of lignosulfonatesNonionic dispersants such as dextrinsA compound having the formula R--O--R, R.sub.2 --CO, R--COOH, or R--COOR where R is an aliphatic moiety having at least six carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process is provided for the separation of a solid into its constituent lyophobic and lyophilic components by comminution and agglomeration in liquids to which the two components are respectively lyophobic and lyophilic. The process has particular application in coal beneficiation wherein ash particles are liberated into a water phase and coal particles are agglomerated with oil. The operations of comminuting and agglomerating are combined in a single step by performing the process in a mill having positive transport capability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming reusable resin materials from bottles and other scrap articles each comprising a first low density resin component (e.g., polyethylene) bonded to a second high density resin component (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate); the scrap articles are granulated to form a primary particulate scrap that is air classified to remove paper and film from labels, then flotation separated into a lightweight first resin (PE) material that is dried and air classified for re-use, and a secondary particulate scrap. The secondary scrap is vigorously washed in a hot aqueous medium to disrupt bonds in chips containing both resins, then thoroughly rinsed and again flotation separated into a heavy second resin material that is dried and air cleaned for re-use; there is also a residual low density scrap from the second flotation stage that is returned to the first flotation stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a coal-water slurry comprising the steps of screening coal into a coarse-grained coal and a fine-grained coal; subjecting said coarse-grained coal to gravity classification to classify into a low ash coal, a middle ash coal and a high ash coal; wet grinding a mixture of the fine-grained coal, the middle ash coal and part of the low ash coal, and subjecting same to flotation; preparing a first slurry having a solid concentration of 40-60 wt. % from the low ash froth resultant from flotation; and mixing another part of the low ash coal with this first slurry and wet grinding this mixture. This process can accord the solid concentration of the product slurry with an optional target value by adjusting the amount of the low ash coal mixed with the first slurry, and can use the remaining low ash coal not to be added to the first slurry for the purpose of preparing the second product slurry.

Abstract: A process for conveying a raw coal as a slurry via a pipeline. High ash content material is dissociated from the raw coal during preparation and pipelining of the coal which enhances the rheology of the slurry. As a result, coarse run-of-mine coal can be transported as a slurry directly to a remote location with little or no pretreatment.

Abstract: A process for producing iron oxide fine powder of high purity from an oxide iron ore such as hematite or magnetite by only physical processing is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: providing a preliminarily ground raw material powder of an oxide iron ore or a mixture thereof having the impurity content in a specific range; classifying the raw material iron ore powder under such conditions that fine particles smaller than 10 .mu.m in diameter are removed from the ore powder; optionally treating the classified powder with an acid solution; refining the classified, optionally acid-treated iron ore powder by means of gravity concentration; and finish grinding the refined powder to reduce the particle size to a desired level.

Abstract: A method of regulating a grinding process in a pocket grinder pressing a wood batch in at least one pocket against a rotating grindstone with a grinding plate movable in the pocket calculates the apparent pulp quantity produced at measuring points at fixed intervals of the grinding stroke and changes in the wood batch density which occur during the grinding stroke. The value thus calculated is compared with a target value for the pulp quantity to be produced and the grinding process regulated thereby to reach the target value. To make the pulp quantity produced as even as possible, the calculated value of the apparent pulp quantity produced is corrected in relation to the hydraulic pressure used during the grinding stroke.

Abstract: A process for beneficiating oil shale is disclosed including the steps of grinding the shale to fine particles in an aqueous medium, portions of which are kerogen-rich and kerogen-poor, scrubbing the particles, separating the particles by either selectively flocculating out a fraction, redispersing the fraction and reseparating using froth flotation, or vice versa, and oil agglomerating/dewatering the kerogen-rich fraction.

Abstract: A process for grinding organic-containing mineral matter, particularly oil shale, is disclosed comprising a series of increasing finer grind-producing grinding steps, each followed by an organic beneficiation step. A portion of the organic-enhanced beneficiation product is mixed with each successive grinding step feed.

Abstract: In a method of operating a ball or rod mill that comprises milling substrate with an attrition medium in the presence of an aqueous carrier. An anti-corrosion composition comprising a water soluble, (alkali metal) phosphate and a water soluble zinc salt is maintained in the aqueous carrier.

Abstract: Fired phosphor powder is deagglomerated by introducing a slurry thereof to the bottom of a vibratory mill while water is added to the top of the mill. This establishes a vertical gradient in the phosphor concentration in the slurry, the bottom being thicker than the top. The fine phosphor particles move out faster through an outlet at the top, while the coarse particles receive longer milling time.

Abstract: A process is provided for refining a pollutant laden suspension of waste paper using refining apparatus including a housing adapted to induce a turbulent flow in the suspension so as to separate the suspension into various fractions. Turbulent flow is created by the action of a rotary blade which is contained within a primarily rotation-symmetrical closed housing. The turbulent flow has a lower-pressure center about its axis. Along its radial edge, a fraction laden with heavy impurities or pollutants is removed while along the axial end where the rotary blade is positioned, a fraction of material is removed by a screen which is positioned next to the blade. Along the other axial end across from the end of the housing having the rotary blade, another fraction laden with pollutants is removed from the center. Air is fed directly into the refining apparatus where it is admixed with the suspension in order to facilitate separation of the suspension with the various fractions.

Abstract: This process, which comprises subjecting coal to gravity classification to classify into a low ash coal, a middle ash coal and a high ash coal; deashing the middle ash coal by flotation; and using the deashed middle ash coal together with the low ash coal as the materials for producing a coal-water slurry, provides a low ash content and high solid content coal-water slurry in a high coal recovery as well as economically. This coal-water slurry is able to handle, store and burn as are fuel oils.

Abstract: There is disclosed the process for the separation of the clay particles (ash) from coal particles by the use of two immiscible liquids followed by the separation and removal of the liquids from the solids.

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: A process which comprises passing soft limerock through a primary crusher, adding water to the crushed rock, passing the crushed rock and water through a series of screens with successively smaller screen openings while adding additional water to each screen, collecting the rock not passing through the screens and passing a portion of it through a secondary crusher and recycling the product to the series screens, collecting the rock passing through all screens and causing it to pass through a screw conveyor with a large excess of water and collecting fine particles of crushed soft limerock from the screw conveyor for use in preparing asphalt road paving material.

Abstract: There is provided a process for the beneficiation of oil shale comprising comminuting oil shale to a maximum particle size that maximizes the separation efficiency index of a physical separation method at a predetermined product yield. The oil shale particles are then separated into organic-rich product and organic-lean refuse by the physical separation methods in which the product yield is adjusted to maximize the separation efficiency index of the separation. Preferred physical separation methods include gravity separation, hydraulic separation by tabling, froth flotation and oil agglomeration.

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: Wood is removed from debris in processes alternately conducted in a pair of side-by-side water filled tanks. Each tank includes an inclined bottom defining a deep end where sinking materials settle and a shallow end. Water jets along two adjacent sides of each tank creating a flow of surface water and floating wood toward one corner of the shallow end where the wood accumulates and is removed. Runways along two sides of each tank support debris handling equipment. A conveyor under one runway transfers the sinking materials away from the tanks. The wood is comminuted and sized for use as fuel.

Abstract: An elutriation apparatus for de-shotting fibrous material carried in a liquid current comprises a battery of washing vessels located in sequence. A power driven mixing apparatus is provided in the first washing vessel of the sequence for dispersing the fibrous material. The upper section of each washing vessel is divided into two compartments by a baffle, while the vessel's lower section is unobstructed, whereby a current of liquid carrying fibrous material which is introduced into the upper section of the vessel to one side of the baffle travels downwardly and then underneath the baffle and upwardly to the vessel's upper section to the other side of the baffle. The latter upper section is provided with a spout for discharge of the fibrous dispersion from the vessel to the next washing vessel or to the separator apparatus located after the last washing vessel of the sequence for removal of the wash liquid from the de-shotted fibrous material.

Abstract: Coal is beneficiated by slurrying coal particles of less than 200 microns in diameter with water. The slurry is cavitated with intense sonic agitation at a level of at least 15 joules/cm.sup.2. While the slurry is in the cavitated state, impurities and water are gravitationally separated from the slurry to produce a coal/water mixture having up to 40 percent by weight water, and preferably, 20 to 35 percent water with the balance coal.

Abstract: A system for receiving and crushing whole lead acid storage batteries, and for classifying the components of crushed batteries into lead oxide, lead metal, plastic case components, and rubber case components and other fragments. Whole batteries are crushed into component particles, and lead oxide from the batteries is placed in liquid suspension. The lead oxide is subsequently removed by three separate settling and classifying tanks. Lead metal is removed by a liquid upflow column separation. A flotation tank and surface skimming arrangement separates plastic case fragments from rubber fragments.

Abstract: A method of deashing coal wherein the coal is wetted with hydrocarbon liquid to form agglomerates and the hydrophilic agglomerates are then separated from a water and ash phase to yield deashed coal agglomerates. The hydrocarbon liquid is then recovered from the coal agglomerates by a vacuum stripping in the absence of oxidizing gases with or without use of super heated steam. Where super heated steam is used the removed hydrocarbon liquid is subsequently separated from the steam by cooling.

Abstract: A batch process for recycling plastic container scrap is disclosed comprising the steps of reducing a container bearing an externally disposed label to granules, agitating the granules in hot water to remove the label material portion from the plastic portion, separating the hot water and label portion from the plastic granules, filtering and recycling the hot water into the batch while separating the waste label residue, remixing and reagitating until substantially all of the waste label residue is removed. Subsequently, the plastic granules are floated over a weir and collected in a dewatering station with the hot wash water recycled into a hot water reservoir. A major portion of the wash water is removed from the granules in the dewatering station. Substantially all of the residual wash water is removed in a drying station.

Abstract: A process of upgrading garnieritic ores, oxidized nickelifer ores of lateritic origin which includes subjecting the ore to controlled attrition and classifying particles so formed according to their size, those having a dimension smaller than a predetermined value being recovered.

Abstract: A size fraction of coal is physically cleaned by separating the coal into a low density fraction containing relatively small amounts of inorganic constituents and a high density fraction containing relatively large amounts of inorganic constituents, crushing the low density fraction to produce smaller particles, separating the smaller particles into a low density fraction and a high density fraction and recovering the low density fraction as clean coal product.

Abstract: Pyrite is removed from coal by crushing, air classification and organic heavy medium separation. A superior method is taught wherein only a fraction of the total coal treated need be treated with organic media separation.

Abstract: A process for separating molybdenite from copper and iron ores is disclosed. A copper concentrate containing molybdenite is treated during an attritioning stage with a surfactant which is an alkyl ester of sodium and/or calcium succinic or succinamic acids and a molybdenite concentrate is recovered by flotation. The molybdenite concentrate contains at least 90% of the original molybdenite and less than 5% of the undesirable ores.

Abstract: Isostearic acid, a liquid isomer of stearic acid, is used as an agent in a froth flotation process to concentrate the iron oxide in iron ores. By use of this flotation agent, the iron oxide in the ground ore is directly floated away from the remainder of the ore. The process enables a high amount of iron oxide to be concentrated from low grade ores.

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: A method is disclosed for processing a natural calcitic ore to yield a finely divided calcium carbonate particulate of very high brightness characteristics. The natural calcitic ore is initially coarse-milled to produce a product wherein no more than 5% by weight of the particulate is +325 mesh, and no more than 35% by weight of the particles are of less than 2 microns E.S.D. This coarse-milled product is then subjected as an aqueous slurry containing less than 40% and preferably less than 30% solids by weight, to a froth flotation, which separates with the froth the relatively coarse colorbodies liberated in the initial grinding. Preferable compositions for use in the froth flotation comprise 1-substituted-2-alkyl imidazolines or the salt derivatives thereof, with such compounds being utilized in admixture with a substantially non-polar aliphatic compound having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms in its longest straight chain.

Abstract: An installation for processing waste paper containing a stock pulper or slusher equipped with a rotor and two sieves or screens having different size holes or openings. By means of the sieve having the larger size openings there is conducted the obtained stock suspension through a primary line system which, for instance, leads to a papermaking machine. Cooperating with the sieve having the larger size openings or holes is an auxiliary circulation circuit containing a device for the removal of contaminants or rejects. There is preferably arranged at the auxiliary circulation circuit or system a separator for heavy contaminants or rejects, a pump, a secondary stock pulper or fiberizer and a sieve or filtering device.

Abstract: A process for preparing coal for use as a fuel. Forming a coal-water slurry having solid coal particles with a particle size not exceeding about 80 microns, transferring the coal-water slurry to a solid bowl centrifuge, and operating same to classify the ground coal-water slurry to provide a centrate containing solid particles with a particle size distribution of from about 5 microns to about 20 microns and a centrifuge cake of solids having a particle size distribution of from about 10 microns to about 80 microns. The classifer cake is reground and mixed with fresh feed to the solid bowl centrifuge for additional classification.