Abstract: A shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and/or bottles.

Abstract: [Problem] To obtain a particulate water absorbent having excellent and stabilized physical properties.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing fine mineral powders using systems, consisting of one or more air classifier, dust separators like cyclones and/or filters, at least one ventilator as well as these instruments connecting tubes or pipes for the transport of air. The invention is characterised by keeping the relative humidity of the classifier air in the air classifier in a range between 15% to 35%.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material. The method includes: initiating the wetting of at least a portion of the plurality of cluster particles; disaggregating at least a portion of the wetted plurality of cluster particles into a disaggregated material including a plurality of smaller clusters, discrete particles or any combination thereof; and stabilizing at least a portion of the disaggregated material by reducing, eliminating or replacing specified controlling attractive forces. A system and apparatus for separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feed system for a gasifier including a grinding mechanism capable of grinding a feedstock into particles of desired particle sizes. The particle sizes include solids particles larger than a first threshold size and raw fines particles smaller than a second threshold size. At least one solids separation device is capable of separating the solids particles from the fines particles and at least one solids conduit conveys the solids particles to a gasification plant while the fines particles are also conveyed to the gasification plant. Further disclosed is a method for feeding stock into a gasifier including conveying a feedstock into a grinding mechanism and grinding the feedstock into particles of desired sizes. Solids particles larger than a first threshold size are separated from fines particles smaller than a second threshold size and the solids particles and the fines particles are conveyed toward the gasification plant.

Abstract: A sizing roller screen apparatus and method for processing an ore feed received at an inlet is disclosed. The ore feed includes sized ore portions and oversize ore portions. The apparatus includes a roller screen having a plurality of adjacent screening rollers supported to provide interstices therebetween for permitting passage of the sized ore portions between the adjacent screening rollers, the adjacent screening rollers being operably configured to rotate to cause a first sized ore portion to pass through the interstices while the ore feed is being transported along the roller screen. The apparatus also includes a sizing roller disposed generally above an opposing one of the plurality of adjacent screening rollers, the sizing roller being operably configured to rotate to fragment at least some of the oversize ore portions passing between the sizing roller and the opposing screening roller to produce a second sized ore portion, the second sized ore portion being sized for passage between the interstices.

Abstract: A sand making apparatus comprises: a crusher configured to crush crushed materials; a first sorter configured to sort the crushed materials obtained from the crusher into coarse particles, fine particles, and powders through air sorting by air blowing and screening sorting by a screen; a negative pressure collection unit configured to suck and collect the powders from the first sorter; and a second sorter disposed between the first sorter and the negative pressure collection unit, the second sorter configured to sort the powders into coarse powders and fine powders through negative pressure of the negative pressure collection unit.

Abstract: A method of making abrasive compositions, and more particularly, it relates to a method of making precipitated silica abrasive compositions having excellent cleaning performance and lower abrasiveness with post-reactor sizing of the abrasive particles being performed directly via wet comminution and centrifugation, optionally followed by hydraulic chamber press filtering combined with vacuum dewatering and de-agglomeration is provided. By targeting a specific particle size range, it has been determined that higher pellicle film cleaning levels may be achieved without also increasing the dentin abrasion properties of the silica products themselves. As a result, dentifrices including such classified abrasive silica products, exhibiting particularly desirable cleaning benefits, can be provided for improved tooth polishing, whitening, and the like, without deleteriously affecting the hard tooth surfaces.

Abstract: An abrasive for a jet of fluid under pressure in a jet cutting machine, which obtains a high cutting speed and reduced operating cost for the machine, consists of ground quarry quartz granules.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composition comprising a fine particulate glass cullet. The particulate material may be obtained by a suitable grinding process. The particulate cullet is useful as an inexpensive filler for polymer compositions and in abrasive compositions.

Abstract: A method of estimating the hydration reactivity of coal ash with high precision and determining the amount of milling water for obtaining a milling product in funicular form at the stage of milling; and a molding method being free from the problem of adhesion to a pressurization board at the stage of molding after the milling. When any collected coal ash exhibits a corrected basicity ((CaO+Fe2O3+MgO)/SiO2 (weight ratio)) of 0.1 or higher and a reactivity index (corrected basicity/(R2O/Al2O3) (weight ratio)) of 10 or higher, the coal ash as a raw ash is transferred to raw ash silo (2). Otherwise, the coal ash is transferred to waste ash silo (3). The raw ash within the raw ash silo (2) is poured in mill (8), and lime and gypsum are added and further milling water is charged thereto and milled.

Abstract: A method for producing cubic boron nitride in which hBN is held in the presence of a catalyst substance under conditions in which cBN remains thermodynamically stable, to thereby cause hBN to undergo a phase transition to form cBN, wherein the catalyst substance contains a lithium source, a magnesium source, and a carbon source. The performance of cBN is improved even though phase transition ratio from hBN to cBN is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing cellulose ether products which is characterized in that superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are dried and milled, or mill-dried, conjointly with moist cellulose ether and also to the cellulose ether products resulting from this process.

Abstract: Method for processing of pozzolans comprising fly ash such as Class F and/or Class C fly ash used for preparation of mortars and concretes, characterized in, that the pozzolans is subjected to a high energetic mechanical processing by means of grinding in a grinding equipment to a fineness of the final product with a retention on a sieve 30 microns being less than 5%, whereby the pozzolan particles receive mechanical impulses when non-cenosphere in the form of coarse scoria particles are disintegrated and whereby the surface of cenosphere grinded particles is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cooling hot material having different particle sizes that has been heat treated in a kiln. The material is first passed through a cooling apparatus, after which it is delivered to a screening apparatus for screening out smaller material below a pre-determined fineness and transporting larger material above such pre-determined fineness to a crushing apparatus. The larger material is crushed and is delivering back to the cooling apparatus for further cooling. It is a feature of the invention that the cooling apparatus, screening apparatus and crushing apparatus have a common environment, that is, they are all enclosed within the same housing.

Abstract: A first object of the present invention is a process for dry grinding of one or more mineral materials which include at least one calcium carbonate, characterised in that the said process includes the stages of: a) crushing the mineral material or materials in at least one crushing unit until a crushed material is obtained with a d95 of less than 10 cm; b) possibly improving the material crushed according to stage a); c) dry grinding the material crushed according to stage a) and/or b) in at least one grinding unit: (i) in the presence of at least one comb-type hydrophilic polymer containing at least one polyalkylene oxide function grafted on to at least one unsaturated ethylene monomer, (ii) in such a manner that the quantity of liquid in the said grinding unit is less than 15% by dry weight of the said material crushed in the said crushing unit; d) possibly classifying the material dry ground according to stage c) with at least one classification unit; e) possibly repeating stages c) and/or d) on all

Abstract: Embodiments of a sulfur extraction process comprise treating mined sulfur ore with a disulfide oil to dissolve the sulfur in the ore. The process occurs at a temperature less than a temperature sufficient to melt sulfur. The sulfur crystals may be isolated by cooling the dissolved sulfur to a temperature sufficient to crystallize the sulfur. An apparatus for extracting sulfur from sulfur ore comprises a first receptacle for contacting a disulfide oil with mined sulfur ore at an elevated temperature sufficient to dissolve sulfur, a second receptacle coupled to the first receptacle for cooling dissolved sulfur such that sulfur crystals form, and a filtration apparatus coupled to the second receptacle for isolating the sulfur crystals. Solvents used in the apparatus may be recycled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extraction bedplates (10), (110), (210), (310), (410), (510), (610) for use in apparatus (5) for defiberizing paper making stock and methods for making such bedplates. Preferred methods for making such bedplates (10), (110), (210), (310), (410), (510), (610) include the step of cutting a disc shaped blank from a metal plate and the step of forming holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) either the metal plate or the disc shaped blank. The holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) preferably are formed using a cutting stream, most preferably either a laser or a water jet. Use of a cutting stream to form the holes facilitates the cutting of holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) having non-circular, and preferably tesselatory, cross sections as well as holes (45), (145), (245), (345), (445), (545), (645), (646) extending at acute angles with respect to an axis (20) of the bedplate.

Abstract: A method and jet mill apparatus for generating fine particles by means of a jet mill with an integrated dynamic air classifier including a classifying wheel classifying wheel shaft and classifier housing, wherein between the classifying wheel and classifier housing a classifier gap is formed and between the classifying wheel shaft and the classifier housing a shaft passage is formed, wherein gap flushing of classifier gap or shaft passage takes place with compressed gases of low energy content, and wherein comminution jet inlets are present which are charged with energy-rich superheated steam. Through the invention a dynamic air classifier explained above and a corresponding operating method therefor are additionally created.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for destroying, on site, electronic and electric equipment and media and the information contained thereon. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing information stored on electronic and electric equipment and media by degaussing and shredding the physical hardware containing the information. Each of the degausser and the shredder are contained within a mobile vehicle such that the scrap electronic and electric equipment and media may be destroyed and stored within targeted receptacles. Moreover, the mobile vehicle of the present invention is adapted to move from one location to another such that the method of destroying the electronic and electric equipment and media may be utilized on-site at the facility of a business owner, thereby, eliminating any risk associated with compromising the confidentiality of the information.

Abstract: A granulated calcium bromide product is provided, and a method for its manufacture. The product, obtained by wet granulation or by dry granulation, contains at least 80 wt. % calcium bromide, and it is particularly suitable for preparing dense calcium bromide brines used as a drilling fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a cement finishing mill, and operating the mill at an optimal point, are disclosed. To determine an optimal point of operation, values of mill power and sound are collected and compared to values predicted by a model to determine if the mill is choking. This choking determination is used in one of two processes to determine an optimal point of operation for the mill. In the first process, as long as the mill is not choking, the amount of fresh feed input to the mill is incrementally increased; when choking occurs, the amount of fresh feed is decreased until choking ceases. In the second process, the amount of fresh feed input to the mill is increased and decreased in an oscillating manner over time, to find the amount of feed that results in the mill approaching, but never reaching, a choking state.

Abstract: A method of controlling the pressure of a casing annulus in a subterranean well that includes injecting into the casing annulus a composition including a base fluid and a polymer coated colloidal solid material. The polymer coated colloidal solid material includes: a solid particle having an weight average particle diameter (d50) of less than two microns, and a polymeric dispersing agent coated onto the surface of the solid particle during the cominution (i.e. grinding) process utilized to make the colloidal particles. The polymeric dispersing agent may be a water soluble polymer having a molecular weight of at least 2000 Daltons. The solid particulate material may be selected from materials having of specific gravity of at least 2.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for reducing the size of a hygroscopic material while simultaneously drying the material at a relatively low temperature to a predetermined value during the reduction process. The present invention utilizes a preconditioning make-up air system to significantly dehumidify the make-up air to values in the range of 0.02 grains per pound of dry air while limiting the temperature of the make-up air exiting the preconditioning make-up air system to below a predetermined critical value. While not limited in its application to any one particular hygroscopic material, the present invention is particularly adapted to uses where the product is a temperature-sensitive, water adsorbing material such as sodium sesquicarbonate or trona ore.

Abstract: The invention relates to processing apparatus and methods and in particular, but not exclusively, to an apparatus that may be used to process a wide variety of feed materials by one or more of milling or grinding, mixing, blending, separation, drying and sterilisation. In a preferred embodiment there is provided a feed material processing apparatus (1) comprising: a chamber (2); at least one inlet (4) in flow communication to an upper region of the chamber (2); a rotor (3) located within the chamber (2) that is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis by a rotation drive (11), wherein the rotor (3) promotes a circulatory flow of feed material and/or gas within the chamber (2); at least one outlet (5) in flow communication from a lower region of the chamber (2). Preferably the apparatus (1) comprises at least one feature located laterally on the rotor (3) to promote the circulatory flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mechanical processing of pigments or pharmaceutically active substances in the form of particles of raw product. In a first method step, the particles are classified as to size, wherein particles that are classified as fine particles inside the classifier are discharged as acceptable materials and wherein large particles that remain as residual material in the classifier are supplied to a comminuting device, where the particles are comminuted during a second processing step.

Abstract: A cementitious composition capable of forming high early strength cement when admixed with water may comprise, for each 100% by weight, no more than about 60% by weight C3S, at least about 4% by weight C2S, and between about 7% and about 11% by weight SO3, wherein the cementitious composition has a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are of a size of about 10 microns or smaller. A cementitious composition may have a ratio of weight % SO3 to weight % Al2O3 of at least about 1.5 and a particle size distribution such that substantially all of its particles are of a size of about 10 microns or smaller. An apparatus and method for making such a cementitious composition are also described.

Abstract: A mixture, apparatus, and method is provided for formulating, solidifying, packaging, shipping, and reprocessing laundry active for purposes of providing laundry active product to developing markets.

Abstract: Described is a method as well as a plant for drying and comminution of moist, mineral raw materials, such as chalk, marl and clay, by which method the raw materials are dried and comminuted subject to simultaneous supply of hot gases in a drier crusher (8) from which the material is subsequently directed in suspended form to a separator (11) in which it is separated into a coarse fraction which is returned to the drier crusher (8) for further drying and comminution and into a fine fraction which is directed to the next stage of the process and where any hard material components such as flint, sand and marble are subjected to grinding in a separate grinding unit (16). The method and plant is peculiar in that a part quantity of the coarse fraction from the separator (11) is proportionately fed to the separate grinding unit (16) for the grinding of hard material components.

Abstract: A crusher for producing fine silicon fragments for semiconductor or solar applications from silicon fragments suitable for semiconductor or solar applications, comprises a plurality of crushing tools, the crushing tools having a surface made from a hard, wear-resistant material, wherein the crusher has a comminution ratio e of from 1.5 to 3.

Abstract: A device and method for dissociating feed material occurring as mixed materials is provided. The device includes a rotor/stator system arranged within a housing, a rotor of the rotor/stator system being equipped around its circumference with processing tools which are radially opposed by stator tools that are arranged stationary relative to the housing while maintaining a working gap; a first circumferential section for supply of the feed material and wherein the processing of the feed material takes place along a second circumferential section, the second circumferential section being divided in a direction of rotation of the rotor into a first subsection and at least one additional second subsection; and a stator tool followed by a processing path being provided at a start of each subsection with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Method for processing of pozzolans comprising fly ash such as Class F and/or Class C fly ash used for preparation of mortars and concretes, characterized in, that the pozzolans is subjected to a high energetic mechanical processing by means of grinding in a grinding equipment to a fineness of the final product with a retention on a sieve 30 microns being less than 5%, whereby the pozzolan particles receive mechanical impulses when non-cenosphere in the form of coarse scoria particles are disintegrated and whereby the surface of cenosphere grinded particles is activated.

Abstract: A machine for providing organic particles preferably substrate for use in manufacturing biogas, the machine comprising; an intake for input of moist and dry organic waste to the machine's interior chamber, where the organic waste may contain foreign bodies such as soft packaging, preferably plastics, netting and binding twine, as well as metal and glass, etc.; a rotating shaft located in the chamber and provided with at least one tool which is positioned at the circumference of the shaft, the tool/tools having a blunt shape; a stationary part mounted in the chamber, where the stationary part acts as the tool's counter-tool; an outlet for milled particles; an ejector for foreign bodies, the distance between the tool and the stationary part being of such a size that a milling effect is achieved on the waste's solid parts for grinding up into smaller pieces, while the extent of the distance prevents a grinding effect from being exerted on the waste's softer parts such as plastics.

Abstract: Fabric material having a backing, such as carpet, is used as a biomass fuel component. The fabric material is shredded and substantially separated into constituent backing and fabric components. The backing component is stored in a first storage unit. The fabric component may be mixed with another biomass fuel component before introduction into a gasifier. The gasifier produces synthetic gas, which is subsequently used to produce steam. The hot ash generated as a by-product of gasification is stored in a second storage unit. Each waste product may be confined to a distinct waste path such that the waste products remain isolated from each other, at least until the ash cools down to approximately the melting point of the backing component.

Abstract: There is provided a powderizing apparatus and a method capable of powderizing target objects effectively. The powderizing apparatus includes a cylindrical container extending in a horizontal direction, a rotary shaft disposed along the axis of the cylindrical container, a plurality of rods disposed in parallel with respect to the rotary shaft in a position close to an inner wall of the cylindrical container and away from the rotary shaft, rod-fixing members for fixing the rods to the rotary shaft and hammering members provided on the respective rods.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of processing kaolin to produce two distinct grades of kaolin in a simultaneous manner. The methods involve processing kaolin by degritting a kaolin crude; subjecting the degritted kaolin crude to flotation to provide a kaolin having reduced titania content; ozonating the kaolin having reduced titania content; centrifuging the kaolin to provide a coarse stream and fine stream; refining the coarse stream into a coarse engineered kaolin pigment; and refining the fine stream into a fine glossing kaolin pigment. Also disclosed are systems for the automated processing of kaolin to produce two distinct grades of kaolin with real time feedback.

Abstract: An amorphous precipitated silica with controlled abrasivity and effective cleaning properties for use in an oral composition produced through comminution and classification of the silica to form particles with an oil absorption value of 150 cm 3/100 g or less, a weight median particle diameter dso of less than 3 ?m and a dgo value, wherein 90% by weight of the particles have a diameter less than the dgo value, of 6 ?m or less.

Abstract: Efficient process control of a rotary breaker is dependent upon the rate at which aggregate material is delivered to the rotary breaker. An improved pre-screening apparatus provides enhanced control of the amount of undersized material allowed to bypass the rotary breaker, thus allows some control of feed rate other than the upstream mining conditions. Further, a variable speed drive mechanism allows for enhanced control of the breaking process occurring within the rotary breaker. These improvements allow for the increase in maximum feed rate to an existing rotary breaker or allows for the installation of smaller and more economical original equipment. In addition, an improved discharge mechanism is provided to increase the discharge rates of a breaker without varying size or speed of rotation. These improvements allow for advanced automated process control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling of synthetic material containing waste. In the process initially in a first step the synthetic material containing waste is crushed to a particle diameter ?100 mm and then admixed as aggregate in a soil material, in particular in a silt containing soil for the earthworks. The portion of the synthetic material containing waste admixed in the second step is preferably 15 percent by volume to 70 percent by volume. The resulting soil material is in many aspects excellently suited for the earthworks and in particular, for the recultivation or the protection of problematic landfill areas.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process to obtain a calcium carbonate material comprising GCC and PCC, presenting a fraction of particles finer than 1 ?m of greater than 80%, preferably of greater than 85%, more preferably of greater than 90%, and even more preferably of greater than 95%, and a specific surface area of less than 25 m2/g, in a cost efficient manner, wherein GCC and PCC are co-ground, possibly with at least another mineral material. An other object of the present invention lies in the co-ground calcium carbonate material in the form of an aqueous suspension and in the form of a dry product. An other object of the present invention lies in the uses of such products in any sector making use of mineral material, and notably in the paper, paint and plastic industries.

Abstract: A clean dry glass powder useful as a substitute for Portland cement in concrete, in paints, and for other known uses for glass powder produced conventionally can be produced from unsorted post-consumer waste glass, including a substantial fraction of non-glass items, by employing glass pulverizing equipment to reduce waste glass to small fragments, allowing removal of trash, employing a multistep washing process to clean the glass fragments, in the preferred embodiment using aggregate cleaning equipment, drying the fragments, preferably using fluidized bed techniques, and grinding the glass to a desired particle size, preferably using a ball mill, in combination with an air classification step to produce a glass powder of uniform particle size.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of processing mica, compositions resulting from these methods, and paints comprising the mica. One method relates to a method of processing mica comprising dry attrition grinding a micaceous material to produce a micaceous product having a particle size distribution such that at least about 60% by weight of the micaceous product passes through a 325 mesh screen. The dry grinding can be performed with at least one non-mica grinding media, such as a ceramic ball mill. The methods described herein can use mica from the Spruce Pine Mining District of North Carolina. The methods can allow the use of micaceous materials having a wide range of grit content with minimal adverse effect on the brightness.

Abstract: A plate-like polycrystalline particle is produced by forming inorganic particles into a self-supported, sheet-like shaped body with a predetermined thickness, firing the shaped body, and crushing and classifying the fired shaped body by passing through a mesh having openings with a predetermined size. The inorganic particles are composed of an oxide having a perovskite structure and grow into crystal grains with an isotropic and polyhedral shape. Since grain growth in the thickness direction is limited and grain growth in the surface direction of the sheet is promoted, it is possible to obtain crystal grains having a high aspect ratio and a high degree of orientation. Therefore, in the plate-like polycrystalline particle, in most parts, the number of crystal grains present in the thickness direction of the particle at any one point is one, and a high aspect ratio and a high degree of orientation are achieved.

Abstract: A clean dry glass powder useful as a substitute for Portland cement in concrete, in paints, and for other known uses for glass powder produced conventionally can be produced from unsorted post-consumer waste glass, including a subsatantial fraction of non-glass items, by employing glass pulverizing equipment to reduce waste glass to small fragments, allowing removal of trash, employing a multistep washing process to clean the glass fragments, in the preferred embodiment using aggregate cleaning equipment, drying the fragments, preferably using fluidized bed techniques, and grinding the glass to a desired particle size, preferably using a ball mill, in combination with an air classification step to produce a glass powder of uniform particle size.

Abstract: A method of processing a useable particulated nepheline syenite including providing particulate nepheline syenite with a maximum first grain size; milling the nepheline syenite in a ball mill operated substantially dry to produce a dry feed stock with particles less than a given size; and, using an air classifier to remove particles having a second grain size from the feed stock to provide an Einlehner Abrasive Value of less than about 100. In practice the second grain size is less than 5 microns and the distribution profile is generally 4-5 microns. The product produced by the method is, thus, novel.

Abstract: A biomaterial prepared from a process comprising dehydrating the fish scales until the fish scales containing less than about 50% of water, and grinding the dehydrated fish scales into ground particles each having an average size of less than about 10,000 ?m in diameter, wherein the ground particles contain a mixture of sponge like matrix and powder is provided. The invention also provides a biomaterial prepared from fish scales by a process comprising subjecting the fish scales to a heat treatment at a temperature of less than about 200° C.

Abstract: A method of com fractionation wherein the resulting high starch concentration endosperm is subsequently used for ethanol production or dry milling is described. The method includes: providing substantially cleaned corn kernels, tempering the corn; screen processing to properly size the com fractions; density separation of the primary fractions; rolling and/or screening the products to produce three main fractions consisting of high starch Endosperm, high oil Germ and high fibre Bran.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fining powders and an apparatus employing the same. By fast rotating the collision plates in a chamber, the powders can be continuously pulverized at high velocity. The chamber is maintained in a stable low pressure, so that gas flows are generated by planes of the rotating collision plates and the powders can be sorted. The present invention can perform functions of both pulverizing powders of D50<20 ?m to D50<2.0 ?m and sorting them with advantages of dry, low temperature, saving-energy, less consumed-material and high efficiency. The present invention is particularly suitable for oxides unable to be fined by high-temperature pyrolysis, powders having problems of changing properties at high temperature or aggregation. The present invention also provides a low-cost technology for certain powders such as cement.

Abstract: Disclosed are fine powder of waste polyurethane foam and a manufacturing method thereof. According to this invention, fine powder of waste polyurethane foam can be manufactured using a crushing process including primary and secondary coarse crushing steps and a fine grinding step and a classification process, thereby solving conventional problems of the deterioration of the properties and the difficulty forming a desired cell structure, due to the use of waste polyurethane powder having a large particle diameter, and widening the range of waste polyurethane that can be recycled.

Abstract: A method for harvesting weighting agent fines includes milling weighting agent into a plurality of pieces, classifying the pieces based on size to extract those particles having a particle size less than an acceptable maximum diameter, reclassifying the pieces based on size to extract those particles having a particle size less than an acceptable minimum diameter, collecting the particles having a particle size between the standard acceptable minimum and maximum diameters, and collecting the particles having a particle size less than the acceptable minimum diameter. A system for harvesting weighting agent fines includes a mill to reduce the weighting agent particle size, a first classifier to extract particles having a particle size less than the acceptable maximum diameter, a second classifier to extract particles having a particle size less than the acceptable minimum diameter, a fine particle collection area, and a coarse particle collection area.