Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an increase to a selected level of the height of a bed of particulate solids in a shuttle car for the transportation of particulate solids. The apparatus including a support member adapted to be rotatably supported through or on a wall of the shuttle car for rotation about its longitudinal axis with its first end inside the shuttle car and its second end outside the shuttle car, a relatively flat plate member positioned on the first end of the support member in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal axis on the support member so that the plate member is biased to extend vertically downwardly from the support member and a level indicator operatively connected to the second end of the support member so that when the plate member is rotatably urged toward a horizontal position by the increased height of particulate solids an indication of such increased height is provided to the shuttle car operator.

Abstract: A process for reducing the water content of coal containing bound water by treating the coal at an elevated temperature and pressure in a de-watering zone in the presence of liquid water to remove liquid water from the coal and treating liquid water in the de-watering zone or liquid water removed from the coal or both by a wet air oxidation process.

Abstract: An improved method for drying particulate low rank coal in a fluidized bed wherein the improvement comprises flowing hot fluidizing gas of varying temperatures upwardly through the fluidized bed so that the hottest fluidizing gas flows upwardly through the coal nearest the coal inlet and the coolest fluidizing gas flows upwardly through the coal nearest the dried coal outlet from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A process for converting molybdenite to molybdenum oxide by a flash roasting process wherein the molybdenum calcine produced in the flash roasting process is subsequently treated with a free chlorine-containing aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for selectively separating molybdenum from a molybdenite-containing copper sulfide concentrate by a flotation process wherein the molybdenite is selectively floated by the use of a sulfite or bisulfite compound as a copper sulfide depressant.

Abstract: A method for discharging heavy oil treated particulate coal and controlling emissions from a heavy oil spray contacting vessel is disclosed. In particular, a bed of heavy oil treated coal is maintained in the lower portion of the oil spray contacting vessel. The heavy oil treated coal is withdrawn from the bottom of the bed while maintaining the bed at a sufficient depth to remove a major portion of the heavy oil mist from gaseous materials within the vessel. A major portion of gaseous materials are made to pass downwardly through the bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved process which enhances significantly the recovery of a mineral from a subterranean formation via solution mining. The improvement comprises periodically ceasing injection of leach solution while continuing production to alter the path of flow of the leach solution between an injection well and a production well and subsequently injecting leach solution.

Abstract: An improved method for cooling particulate solids in an expanded bed by successively charging the particulate solids to a plurality of expanded beds with the exhaust gas from each of the plurality of expanded beds being discarded.

Abstract: In the extraction of certain non-ferrous metals from their sulfide ores by a process where these sulfides are converted to water soluble sulfates by roasting, alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, especially sodium carbonate, is added to the roaster feed to promote the sulfatization reaction. Ores containing copper, nickel, cobalt or zinc sulfides are concentrated by froth flotation, the concentrate mixed with carbonate or bicarbonate and roasted. The roasted product is mixed with water to separate these metals as soluble sulfates from iron compounds and other solid residue. The sulfate solution is filtered from the solids and the non ferrous metals recovered by precipitation or electrolysis.

Abstract: An improved method for cooling particulate solids in a fluidized bed wherein the improvement comprises fluidizing the particulate solids above a first portion of a gas flow distributor using a cooling gas and fluidizing the particulate solids above a second portion of the gas flow distributor with a cooled cooling gas stream wherein the second portion of the gas flow distributor is located near the particulate solids discharge from the fluidized bed.

Abstract: In a process for the production of alumina from aluminous raw material, an ammonoalunite intermediate is formed. The raw material is preferably a clay which is leached with sulfuric acid to form an aluminous solution which is separated from the solid materials. After any required extraction of iron, such as by liquid ion exchange, the solution is subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of ammonium ions to form ammonoalunite which is recovered as a precipitate. The liquor is recycled to leach the clay, while the ammonoalunite is thermally decomposed to alumina. Gases liberated during decomposition are scrubbed with recycled liquor to form clay leach liquor. The alumina may be purified by washing with sulfuric acid to obtain a purity suitable for aluminum electrolysis.

Abstract: A method for creating a zone of increased permeability in a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by a plurality of wellbores by penetrating the formation with a first wellbore; positioning a plurality of other wellbores about the first wellbore with each of the other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of the first wellbore; extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from the first wellbore into the vicinity of the other wellbores; positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of the boreholes and detonating the explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between the first wellbore and the other wellbores.

Abstract: A method for producing a dried particulate coal fuel having a reduced tendency to spontaneously ignite from a low rank coal by drying the low rank coal in a fluidized bed, cooling the resulting dried coal in a fluidized bed cooler, separating coal particles smaller than about 80 Tyler Mesh from the cooled dried coal and treating the cooled dried coal with a deactivating fluid.

Abstract: Dried particulate low rank coal fuel having a reduced reactivity and a reduced dusting tendency is produced from dried particulate low rank coal by a method consisting essentially of: intimately contacting the dried particulate low rank coal with a deactivating oil in an amount sufficient to reduce the reactivity of the dried coal by a desired amount and thereafter intimately contacting the deactivated dried coal with a dedusting oil in an amount sufficient to reduce the dusting tendency of the deactivated dried coal by a desired amount. The deactivating oil has a 5 percent point in excess of about 900.degree. F. and the dedusting oil has a 5 percent point from about 400.degree. F. to about 750.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for removing scale and inhibiting the formation of scale in a well penetrating a subterranean formation for the production of fluids from the formation, the method comprising;(a) injecting an aqueous solution of EDTA into the well in an amount and for a time effective to remove scale from the well; and,(b) injecting a scale inhibitor through the well and into the subterranean formation surrounding the well.

Abstract: An improved method for drying particulate low rank coal in a fluidized bed wherein the improvement comprises fluidizing the coal above a first portion of a gas flow distributor using a hot fluidizing gas and fluidizing the coal above a second portion of the gas flow distributor with a recycle gas stream at a temperature less than about 200.degree. F. wherein the second portion of the gas flow distributor is located near the coal discharge from the coal drying zone to cool overheated coal particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely supporting a first end of a roof support member in position on a mine roof from a safe location while a second end of the roof support member is bolted in place by a roof bolting machine including a personnel shielding means. The method consists essentially of positioning a miner beneath the personnel shielding means so that the miner can use the apparatus for supporting the first end of the roof support member while the second end of the roof support member is bolted in place. The apparatus comprises an elongated support member, a fitting means positioned on a first end of the elongated support member for engaging a hole in the first end of the roof support member, and means for use in gripping the apparatus to support the first end of the roof support member.

Abstract: Step declines in the production rate from a well following an acid treatment, and a scale inhibitor treatment are reversed by use of an EDTA treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the discharge of particulate solids through a discharge opening from a zone containing an expanded bed of particulate solids, the apparatus comprising a plurality of vertical doors positioned to open and close the discharge opening with the doors being adapted to open and close by rotation about a vertical axis; a mounting means to support the doors in position; and a controller adapted to control the opening and closing of the doors.

Abstract: A process for separating crude oil from a mixture comprising crude oil, finely divided organic solids and water by contacting the mixture with a solvent and a solvent vapor stream in a first contacting zone to heat the mixture and produce a vaporous stream containing at least a major portion of the water and a crude oil laden solvent and inorganic solids mixture which is thereafter separated into a crude oil laden solvent stream and an inorganic solids stream with the inorganic solids stream being thereafter contacted with additional solvent to remove additional quantities of crude oil from the inorganic solids. Crude oil is recovered from a crude oil laden solvent stream.