Abstract: Lead that forms dross upon melting is refined by treatment with refining agents consisting essentially of calcium metal and aluminum-silicon eutectic alloy. The refining agents are mixed into a bath of molten lead preferably at 600.degree. C., the bath is cooled to preferably 450.degree. C., and sodium hydroxide and sodium nitrate are added to remove the refining agents. The formed dross is skimmed and refined lead is recovered. The refined lead forms less dross upon remelting.

Abstract: A system for sparging aerated water into a column for the froth flotation of minerals, and located in the lower portion of the column, consists of water and air supply headers connected to a supply of pressurized water and air, respectively. The headers comprise a number of water and air passages, each having shut off valves. A multiplicity of sparger tubes is arranged, in one or more horizontal planes, either radially towards the column center or parallel to each other from opposite sides of the column. Each sparger pipe comprises a mixing tee attached to a water passage and an air passage, and a perforated portion provided with a number of small openings. The number of openings in each pipe is determined by the cross-sectional area covered by the sparger pipe. The openings may be arranged upwardly and/or downwardly at an angle in the range of about 5.degree. to 90.degree. from the horizontal.

Abstract: A golf tee made from peat moss admixed with a water soluble binder in an amount sufficient to bond the peat moss together in a coherent and rigid body by cold or hot pressure forming is disclosed. The water soluble binder may be a lignosulphonate in an amount up to 50%, preferably about 10 to 30%, by weight of the composition. The composition preferably has a moisture content of 5 to 22%, preferably 9 to 18%, by weight. The water soluble binder may be a water soluble polymer in an amount of 3 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% and more preferably 8 to 10% by weight of the composition.