Abstract: A self-actuating gas/liquid separator which depends on the counterbalancing f the liquid in a closed container in excess of a certain height and the vacuum gas pressure for its actuation and operation. Primarily this invention was directed to the separation of water and methane gas after they are discharged from an inclined coal mine drainage bore hole. Basically, there are two inclined coaxial conduits, one inside the other, with the inner smaller conduit providing the path for the movement of the gas and the outer larger conduit the path for the liquid. Attached to the larger conduit, near its end remote from the source of gas and liquid to be separated, is a third conduit with a U-shaped section and a one-way liquid passing check valve. Liquids drain into the first and third conduits and the second conduit is operably subjected to a vacuum generating source.

Abstract: Lead is recovered from sulfide ores which contain lead by leaching the ore with fluosilicic acid to form elemental sulfur and lead fluosilicate, and then subjecting the lead fluosilicate to electrolysis to produce lead and fluosilicic acid.

Abstract: A two-phase ductile iron-based alloy which is resistant to oxidation and fidation at high temperatures is disclosed. The alloy contains from about 8 to 20 wt % of Cr; about 6 to 30 wt % of Ni; about 3 to 11.5 wt % of Al; and 0 to 2 wt % of Mo; about 0 to 1 wt % of Si; about 0 to 2 wt % of Mn; about to 0 to 0.1 wt % of C; about 0 to 0.02 wt % of S; about 0 to 0.02 wt % of P; about 0 to 1 wt % of Ti; about 0 to 2 wt % of Nb and Ta; and the balance of Fe. The atomic ratio of nickel to aluminum is between 0.8 and 1.2.

Abstract: An apparatus in which grout is extruded from the same chamber in which mixed. Provision is made to clean the system after it has undergone one cycle of mixing and extrusion. The basic components of the apparatus include a mixing chamber with a mixing ram having collapsible mixing fingers. Encircling this mixing ram is an extruding ram with a ram head. The mixing ram is concentric with and extends through a lower extruding ram cylinder with the upper portion of the mixing ram having a mixing head normally seated in the mixing chamber and concentric with the ram head. Provision is made to bring water into the mixing chamber, to insert grout in the same chamber, and to outlet the water and grout from the same.

Abstract: A mobile support system for an underground mine brattice curtain which extends the ventilation control of a conventional line brattice. Three embodiments are disclosed for the support system utilizing different fulcrums. In the preferred embodiment, the support's fulcrum is made up of two identical spaced semicircular skid plates which engage the floor and rockably support a first inclined rigid beam. This first beam is pivotally attached to a cantilevered generally horizontal roof engaging upper support at its inby side and has a foot engaging section on its outby side. A second rigid beam extends upwardly from the first beam towards the outby side of the upper support and is pivotally attached to the first beam. The other end of the second beam is a free end which can engage an indexing member on the lower outby end of the upper support. An impervious air curtain depends from the upper support along its length and along with the upper support can be moved to engage the roof.

Abstract: A short range, low power, radio wave transmitter which acts as a miner locator. The transmitter is incorporated with the cap lamp circuitry for the miner. It utilizes the same self-contained power source and its wire connection thereto acts as the transmitter's antenna. No action on the miner's part is necessary in order to begin the transmission which may be on a specific identifying frequency for each miner. An electronic crowbar circuit may be used to conserve power for the transmitter by cutting off power to the cap lamp should the voltage across the self-contained power source fall below a preset level. This enables the transmitter to function for several days by reducing the load on the power source.

Abstract: Tungsten monocarbide is prepared by sparging a molten composition comprising an alkali metal halide and an oxygen compound of tungsten with a gas comprising a gaseous hydrocarbon, particularly methane.

Abstract: A gas sampling device whose operation is activated by the blast whose gas to be sampled. This blast activates a switch which in turn starts the operation of a control box which thereafter sequentially outputs pneumatic signals at preset time intervals. These signals are received by a sampling unit assembly which functions in response thereto to receive and retain a gas sample from the blast.

Abstract: Fine mesh metal powder, such at titanium powder, is prepared by reaction of a halide of the metal, in vapor form, with a fine spray of molten sodium at a temperature below the melting point of the metal.

Abstract: Metal values are recovered from ore concentrates by forming a sulfide matte, grindng the matte, leaching with sulfuric acid at elevated temperature to selectively extract nickel and iron, and roasting and leaching the residue with dilute sulfuric acid to selectively extract copper. The residue contains a high concentration of platinum, palladium and gold.

Abstract: A process of extraction of ions of metals from an aqueous feed solution and liberation of such in an aqueous product solution wherein the feed solution is circulated through the lumens of hollow fibers, the walls of said fibers consisting of a microporous membrane having the pores filled with an organic liquid comprising a complexing agent, and the ions travel through said walls to be liberated in an aqueous product solution circulated over the outside of the fibers. A preferred embodiment of the process employs an anisotropic microporous membrane having pores of about 0.01 to 0.04 micron in diameter at each surface and larger pores in the interior.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe power supply employing a binary current interrupter connected between the power source and the electrical load. Normally the load is situated in a potentially dangerous environment, like a coal mine, and the intrinsically safe power supply at a safe remote location, e.g., on the earth's surface. The interrupter has a pass and switching transistor, current sensor, gating circuitry, a flip-flop switch, and means to delay the turning on of the transistor--but not its turning off. If an overcurrent or overvoltage condition is sensed between the input and output of the intrinsically safe power supply, load current will cease to flow. In normal operation, only the current interrupter pass transistor will open. A reset signal from an oscillator internal of the interrupter may be used to reset the flip-flop after actuation or upon its initial setting, thereby causing the flow of power into the load.

Abstract: Concentration and reclaiming of magnetic fluids is accomplished by (1) flocculation of the magnetic particles by addition of hydrochloric acid, (2) separation of the resulting flocculated particles, and (3) redispersion of the flocculated particles by addition of an aqueous suspension of ammonia, preferably with heating.

Abstract: In mining operations, a number of mining machines will have flexible cable attached thereto which then drag along behind the machine as it operates. When the machine moves in a backward direction, the machine often times will run over and damage the cable. In the past, the cable has been moved manually to prevent damage. The disclosed invention provides an automatic device which will lift a predetermined length of cable above the groun so that the cable will not be cut as the machine moves backward a given distance.

Abstract: Metal values are recovered from ore concentrates by forming a sulfide matte, grinding the matte, leaching with sulfuric acid at elevated temperature to selectively extract nickel and iron, and leaching the residue with an acidic aqueous ferric or cupric salt to selectively extract copper. The residue contains a high concentration of platinum, palladium and gold.

Abstract: A readout circuit for determining the displacement of a magnet relative to a fixed reference point is disclosed. The relative displacement is determined by measuring the time interval required for a stress wave created in a magneto-strictive probe adjacent to the magnet to travel to the reference point. The readout circuit includes a counter means for counting at a predetermined rate. In order to determine the displacement of the magnet using the readout circuit, a pulse signal is generated in the probe causing a stress wave to be created in the probe at the location of the magnet. The counter means of the circuit is then activated in timed relation to the generation of the pulse signal. A means for detecting the arrival of the stress wave at the reference point and for stopping the counter means when the wave is detected is also provided in the readout circuit. By measuring the travel time for the stress wave with the readout circuit, the displacement of the magnet is determined.

Abstract: A method and the necessary equipment to form horizontal cased and perforated drainholes for an underground, in situ leach mining operation. After a vertical hole has been formed and cased in the earth, horizontal drainholes are to be drilled from below its casing. The depth and thickness of the ore body which is to be recovered is determined. Following this, the proper whipstock orientation is computed and the horizontal drainhole is whipstocked and drilled from above the ore bed into it. A flexible casing, such as Coflexip pipe, is used to case the drainholes. Perforations or slots are provided for in these casings before they are put in the earth. A special retrievable cement plug, basket, and one-way valve are used to control and direct the flow of cement to the volume between the outside of the juncture at the casings.

Abstract: A method for the separation of extracted viscous crude oil placed in a reservoir of a opened cell. Materials such as oil shale, oil sand, or tar sand may be involved. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir material in the cell while steam is injected into a steam gallery running through the cell. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to "flip-flop" so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. This separated oil may be removed from the cell and the remaining material disposed of.

Abstract: A multiple branch well for use with in situ leach mining of deep lying ore bodies. The branch wells may be formed by a method disclosed in a related invention. Each well may have two branches one of which is a producer well and one an injector well. Internally of the main casing from which the two branch casings extend are--from the lower end up--a packer unit, a tubing hanger, and a wireline retrievable hydraulically generated pump. The packer and tubing hanger serve their conventional function of, respectively, blocking the flow of leach fluids and holding the branch tubular casing in place within the main casing. The hydraulic pump joins the tubular casings to maintain a constant ratio of produced fluid to injected fluid. This pump is operated by a pressurized fluid source. Since it is retrievable and hydraulically operated, the pump can be brought to the surface for any repairs or maintenance and it requires less surface plumbing with no down hole electrical power.

Abstract: A method of drilling and completing multiple branch wells extending from a main generally vertical hole. This invention finds its primary applicability in in situ leach mining of deep (500 to several thousand feet) lying ore bodies such as uranium, copper, etc. Initially, the main generally vertical hole is drilled, cased, and cemented. Whipstock drilling guides are placed to extend downwardly and outwardly from the bottom of the casing for this hole and cemented in place. These guides are the same in number as the branch holes to be drilled. In addition, the well bore casing contains an indexing dog just above the whipstock drilling guide. The actual drilling of the branch wells is accomplished with a floating index collar and a drill bit assembly which runs therewith. The indexing dog is fixed in the main hole and engages the indexing collar so that the drill bit is oriented to drill into one of the whipstock drilling guides.