Abstract: A process for separating a solvent from a bituminous material by pressure reduction and steam stripping without carry-over of entrained bituminous material. A fluid-like phase comprising bituminous material and solvent is reduced in pressure by passage through a pressure reduction valve to vaporize a portion of the solvent. The reduction in pressure also results in dispersing a mist of fine bituminous material particles in the vaporized solvent. The stream of vaporized solvent, mist and fluid-like bituminous material then is introduced into a static mixer. The static mixer intimately mixes the mist with the fluid-like material and causes the mist to recombine with the fluid-like material from which it was formed. The resulting stream is introduced into a steam stripper to separate the solvent remaining in the bituminous material. The vaporized solvent and steam are withdrawn from the stripper substantially free of entrained bituminous material and condensed.

Abstract: A process for beneficiating ilmenite ore using electrolytic reduction. The ilmenite ore is admixed with an acidic solution to form a mixture. The mixture is electrolytically reduced to convert at least a portion of any ferric iron that is present to ferrous iron. The acidic solution dissolves the ferrous iron in the ilmenite ore and yields beneficiated ilmenite having a relatively high titanium dioxide content.

Abstract: An improved digester method and apparatus particularly useful in the digestion stage of a process for the beneficiation of titaniferous iron ores and the like. A discharge nozzle is connected to a portion of the digester and the digested material is pumped from the digester via a pump connected to the discharge nozzle. In one aspect, fluid from a fluid source is passed through a portion of the discharge nozzle and into the interior of the digester for dislodging any solid-like masses prior to discharging the digested material and, in another aspect, fluid from the fluid source is passed into the discharging digested material from the digester.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a system for detecting an interface between a mineral seam and the surrounding earth formation utilizing a radiation source and a radiation receiver mounted on a miner having a positionable cutter assembly. As the miner is moved into the coal seam, a first distance is continuously sensed between one surface formed in the mineral seam by the miner cutter assembly and the surrounding earth formation and the miner cutter assembly is positioned in response to the sensed first distance. As the miner is withdrawn from the coal seam, a second distance is continuously sensed between one surface formed in the mineral seam by the miner cutter assembly and the surrounding earth formation and the miner cutter assembly is positioned in response to the sensed second distance.

Abstract: A process for liquid-liquid ion exchange of alkali metal ions. An alkaline aqueous phase containing potassium ions together with other alkali metal ions is contacted with an organic phase containing a polyol-boron-alkali metal complex. The organic phase preferentially extracts potassium values from the aqueous phase. The potassium values are separated from the polyol-boron-alkali metal complex by, for example, stripping with dilute sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of titanium disulfide by the vapor phase reaction of titanium tetrachloride and a sulfur containing gas. The titanium tetrachloride and the sulfur containing gas are preheated separately and the sulfur containing gas is introduced through a supply conduit at an established rate of flow into a reaction zone and the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the reaction zone with a downstream component of velocity. A refractory material having a mean particle size greater than the titanium sulfide product is introduced into the product gas stream to impinge on the walls of the reaction zone to eliminate titanium disulfide deposition thereon.

Abstract: An improved mining apparatus for excavating material, such as coal, for example, from an earth formation, such as a coal seam, for example, wherein a miner, having a forward and a rearward cutter, is guided through the coal seam and excavates a borehole therein, the borehole being filled with a working fluid during the operation of the miner, the working fluid facilitating the operation of the miner and providing a vehicle for removing the mined material. Substantially all of the operations of the miner are controlled from the earth's surface thereby eliminating the necessity and accompanying hazards and costs involved in utilizing personnel underground during the mining operations.

Abstract: A process for utilizing mineral-containing residue from coal liquefaction processes to produce a hydraulic cement. The residue is mixed with siliceous and calcareous matereals and compacted. The compacted solids are introduced into a kiln and fired to produce hydraulic cement clinker. The primary fuel for the clinker production is contained in the residue. The clinker is removed from the kiln and ground to produce cement.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sodium chloride content of crystalline potassium salts without the use of successive recrystallization. The crystalline potassium salts having a sodium chloride content greater than about 0.8 percent by weight are subjected to compacting and crushing to provide a crystalline product having an average particle diameter less than 1.6 millimeters. The crystalline product is leached with a brine at least about 80 percent saturated with said potassium salt and less than 50 percent saturated with sodium chloride to produce a crystalline potassium salt product containing less than about 0.35 percent by weight of sodiumchloride.

Abstract: A process for removing an agglomerate of accumulated materials including ash concentrate which collects within the first heavy phase withdrawal conduit of a coal deashing system employing solvent at elevated temperatures and pressures near the critical temperature of the solvent. A carrier fluid is introduced into the first heavy phase withdrawal conduit simultaneously with or after pressure reduction of the heavy phase under conditions such that a turbulent flow profile is developed within the withdrawal conduit which results in the removal of at least a substantial portion of any accumulated materials within the withdrawal conduit.

Abstract: An improved system for deashing coal liquefaction products wherein a feed mixture (including a deashing solvent, soluble coal products and insoluble coal products) is separated in a first separation zone into a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction (including insoluble coal products and some deashing solvent). The first heavy fraction is withdrawn from the first separation zone and the pressure level of the first heavy fraction is reduced at least 100 psig for vaporizing the deashing solvent and for yielding a composition substantially comprising coal products. The composition is essentially a powdery, solid material and is capable of being transferred via a slurry or mechanical means.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing a metal of variable valence to a higher valence state by electrochemical means. More particularly, a process for oxidizing a metal of variable valence, such as, for example, uranium or vanadium contained in wet process phosphoric acid to a higher valence state for extraction by subsequent contact with complex organic extractants. The wet process phosphoric acid is oxidized in an electrolytic cell operated at a controlled potential via use of a reference electrode. The cell comprises a tank having at least one anode and at least one cathode, said anode and cathode having a ratio of surface areas exposed to the electrolyte in said cell of from at least about 100:1.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for measuring internal metal stress and determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief treatments. More specifically, an apparatus and procedure for determining the effectiveness of metal stress-relief by heat treatment in the heat-affected zone surrounding a metal weld. The apparatus comprises an electrical half-cell and a unique bridge system designed to provide intimate physical contact between the electrical half-cell and a metal surface. The apparatus permits a metal to half-cell electrical potential measurement to be made at various locations upon the metal surface. The electrical potential measurements provide a means of evaluating the efficiency of a stress-relief treatment in reducing internal stress within a metal.

Abstract: A process for the reductive stripping of an organic phase containing either or both uranium and vanadium. Said process comprising contacting said organic phase containing either or both uranium in the hexavalent state and vanadium in the pentavalent state with an aqueous solution containing a predetermined quantity of trivalent vanadium to reduce either or both the uranium and vanadium to a lower valence state which is not soluble in said organic phase. The reduced uranium and vanadium separate from the organic phase and collect in the aqueous solution from which it may be subsequently recovered. The process of this invention yields an aqueous strip solution containing fewer contaminates comprising undesirable alkali metals such as sodium and the like than other known chemical stripping processes. Further, the process limits the quantity of ferrous ions present in the system to alleviate the problem of sludge formation in subsequent treatment of the wet process acid to produce phosphate fertilizer.

Abstract: A process for effecting a deep cut in a heavy hydrocarbon material without a decrease in the quality of the extracted oil caused by the presence of undesirable entrained resinous bodies. The heavy hydrocarbon material is admixed with a solvent and introduced into a first separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the feed into a first light phase and a first heavy phase comprising asphaltenes and some solvent. The first light phase is introduced into a second separation zone maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure to effect a separation of the first light phase into a second light phase comprising oils and solvent and a second heavy phase comprising resins and some solvent. A portion of the first heavy phase is withdrawn and introduced into an upper portion of the second separation zone to contact the second light phase after which it separates therefrom.

Abstract: In a process for the removal and pressure reduction of a high pressure, high temperature slurry from a process vessel, the slurry is mixed with a make-up liquid in a temperature treatment vessel to form a diluted slurry, which is passed through a cooling apparatus, and a recycle portion of the diluted slurry is recycled to the temperature treatment vessel. Another portion of the cooled diluted slurry solution is flashed to a preselected reduced pressure through a pressure reducing valve, and this portion is passed to a stripping vessel for concentrating and producing a slurry product. In operation, plural slurry gravity settling vessels may be connected to a single heat treatment vessel, thereby effectuating slurry pressure reduction across a single pressure reducing valve.

Abstract: A process for maintaining the fluid-like properties of separate phases formed within a continuous coal deashing process during periods in which the flow of feed to the apparatus is interrupted. In operation, when the flow of feed is interrupted, the flow of solvent to the separation apparatus of the coal deashing process is diverted about said apparatus in such a manner as to maintain the system operating pressure. More specifically, solvent maintained at elevated temperature and pressure is diverted about the mixing and separation apparatus and introduced into a conduit downstream of the separation zone, in advance of a pressure regulating valve, said conduit also connecting to the separation apparatus. The new flow path maintains the pressure within the separation zone through establishment of fluid communication between the elevated pressure solvent and the phases within the separation apparatus.

Abstract: Coal liquefaction products are contacted with a deashing solvent and introduced into a first separation zone. The first separation zone is maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure, determined to maximize the recovery of soluble coal products, to cause said coal liquefaction products to separate into a first light phase and a first heavy phase. Under these conditions the heavy phase while still fluid-like in character is substantially non-flowable. Flowability is returned to the fluid-like heavy phase by the introduction of an additional quantity of deashing solvent into the first separation zone at a location below the interface between the first light and heavy phases or into the heavy phase withdrawal conduit during withdrawal of the first heavy phase and prior to any substantial pressure reduction. The first heavy phase then is withdrawn from the first separation zone for additional downstream processing without plugging either the withdrawal conduit or the downstream apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for oxidizing vanadium and uranium in wet process phosphoric acid to a higher valence state for extraction by subsequent contact with complex organic extractants. The wet process phosphoric acid is oxidized in an electrolytic cell operated at a controlled potential via use of a reference electrode. The cell comprises a tank having at least one high surface area anode and at least one high surface area cathode separated by an ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for rapidly and efficiently oxidizing either or both vanadium and uranium from the trivalent and guadrivalent oxidation states, respectively, to the pentavelent and hexavalent oxidation states, respectively, through the use of a special electrode. The electrode is produced by anodically treating a substrate material selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, niobium, hafnium and alloys thereof in an aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte comprises an aqueous solution of manganous ion in a concentration of from about 15 to 50 gm/l and from about 10 to 40 gm/l sulfuric acid. Manganese dioxide is electrodeposited on the substrate to form the electrode. The manganese dioxide coated electrode then is placed in an oxidation cell as an anode wherein it is potentiostaticly controlled to oxidize either or both vanadium and uranium without significant anode deterioration and without oxygen generation at the anode.