Abstract: Coal fines are processed by flotation separation to separate coal particles from ash-forming mineral content particles. Coal fines are mixed water under high shear mixing conditions to form an aqueous slurry of coal fines containing between 15 wt. % and 55 wt. % coal fines. The aqueous slurry is introduced into a coal flotation cell to separate coal particles from ash-forming mineral content particles by flotation separation, wherein the coal fines have a particle size less than 100 ?m, and more preferably less than 50 ?m. Bubbles are generated in the coal flotation cell having a bubble size and bubble quantity selected to float the coal particles and to form a coal-froth containing at least 15 wt. % solid particles. The solid particles include coal particles and ash-forming mineral content particles. The coal-froth is collected for further processing.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, processes and devices that remove or release organics from ores, such as phosphate ores or secondary sources such as mine tailings or waste. The method comprises: preparing an ore to a pre-set size; mixing the ore with a reagent having an initial pH value in a slurry comprising the ore and the reagent; and while mixing the slurry, maintaining a pH level in the slurry to a pH range. While mixing the slurry, the slurry may produce a supernatant containing organic material removed from the ore and sediment containing refined ore. The method may also screen the slurry to create a first stream of materials that does not pass through the screen and a second stream of materials and refined ore that pass through the screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diverter or flow controller 1.060, 26.060 for controlling a flow on or within an apparatus 1.001, 26.500, including at least one diverter or flow controller element 1.065, 26.2 and one or more displacement members 1.064, 26.064 adapted to move at least part of the diverter or flow controller element 1.065, 26.2 or a corresponding one of the diverter or flow controller element 1.065, 26.2 into or out of contact with a flow path. The invention also provides a remotely controlled diverter or flow controller and is applicable to flow devices or apparatus such as spiral concentrators and banks of these as up-current classifiers, hydraulic classifiers, teeter bed style classifiers, sluices, weirs, or channels.

Abstract: The invention provides a spiral separator module 3.010 including at least one trough segment 4.012 having an up stream edge and a downstream edge, each trough segment 4.012 being adapted to interface with at least one other corresponding trough segment 4.012 of a second spiral separator module to form a continuous section of a spiral trough.

Abstract: A method of recovering a mineral product from carpet by preparing a feed of carpet pieces; thermally separating organic components from mineral components in the carpet by heating the carpet pieces to a particle bed temperature in the range of 600° C. to 1000° C., wherein the mineral component is oxidized to form a mineral oxide; slurrying the mineral oxide with water to produce 15 to 35% solids slurry within a period of approximately 30 minutes to 24 hours, whereby the mineral oxide forms a mineral hydroxide; stabilizing the pH of the slurry in the range between 6 and 10 by carbonation, resulting in a slurry containing mineral carbonates.

Abstract: A spiral concentrator has a spiral trough (2.001) has a concentrate gutter (2.010) and a pocket (2.008) located near the outer edge of the gutter. An inflatable bladder (2.012) is located in the pocket and can be deformed from a first state in which the bladder does not interfere with the flow of the slurry, to a second state, in which the bladder diverts the concentrate towards a concentrate gutter (2.101). Alternatively, a spiral trough has a deformable device that sits above and separate from the trough and acts as a flow diverter. As the device changes form, shape or state, it gradually contacts the trough or flow diverting more or less concentrate in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method of recovering a mineral product from carpet by preparing a feed of carpet pieces; thermally separating organic components from mineral components in the carpet by heating the carpet pieces to a particle bed temperature in the range of 600° C. to 1000° C., wherein the mineral component is oxidized to form a mineral oxide; slurrying the mineral oxide with water to produce 15 to 35% solids slurry within a period of approximately 30 minutes to 24 hours, whereby the mineral oxide forms a mineral hydroxide; stabilizing the pH of the slurry in the range between 6 and 10 by carbonation, resulting in a slurry containing mineral carbonates.

Abstract: A method for controlling the liquid stroke of a pneumatically driven jigging machine for the separation of mineral mixtures uses a jigging machine that consists of an air chamber and a jigging chamber with a jigging bed located above it. The stroke of the liquid in the jigging machine depends on the period of time the air is allowed into the chamber. The differential pressure between the air chamber and the jigging chamber as parameter for controlling the jigging machine is measured, and as a result, a much better opportunity for controlling will be achieved, and disruptions in the jigging bed are detected and can be counteracted.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative leaching of sulphide mineral species, the method characterized by the method steps of: leaching a slurry containing the mineral species in one or more reaction vessels; circulating a stream of leach liquor to a flash cooler; flashing the liquor in the flash cooler at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure so as to dissipate heat; and recirculating the liquor to the or each reaction vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving contact between a liquid and a reactant gas by moving the liquid in a serpentine path that moves horizontally and vertically through individual chambers or stations in an elongated tank or reactor and introducing a reactant gas into the liquid in one or more of the stations or chambers as the liquid moves through the tank or reactor.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative leaching of sulphide mineral species, the method characterised by the method steps of: leaching a slurry containing the mineral species in one or more reaction vessels; circulating a stream of leach liquor to a flash cooler; flashing the liquor in the flash cooler at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure so as to dissipate heat; and recirculating the liquor to the or each reaction vessel.

Abstract: Composition comprising a fluorescent material comprising the mixture of one or more metal salts selected from the group consisting of metal oxides and metal hydroxides; one or more carbohydrate(s) selected from the group consisting of sugar and starch; and one or more organic acid(s), method of preparation comprising mixing the components in the presence of water and then drying, and use of the fluorescent material in paper, plastic, polymer, resin, and paint. The resultant papers, plastics, polymers, resins, and paint have whiteness and brightness due to the fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid-stabilized calcium carbonate slurry having a pH of less than 7, preferably between about 6 and about 7, containing water, calcium carbonate, preferably precipitated calcium carbonate, and an acid-stabilizer of a water soluble calcium salt, a weak acid, a chelating agent, a weak acid capable of chelating calcium ion, or a mixture thereof. The acid-stabilizer is present in an amount sufficient to provide an aqueous calcium carbonate slurry having an increased calcium ion concentration and an acidic pH. In a typical acid-stabilized calcium carbonate slurry of the invention, the acid-stabilizer is present in an amount sufficient to provide a calcium ion concentration of about 1 millimolar to about 5 molar, preferably from about 1 to about 120 millimolar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product, a process for its preparation and the use of such in plastic film production. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antiblock talc, a process for the preparation of such and its use as an additive in the production of polyolefin film.

Abstract: This invention provides methods apparatus and data structures useful for mining databases for frequent items. The invention uses a frequent pattern tree to represent the contents of a database in a manner which is conducive to data mining. The frequent pattern tree tends to be smaller than the original database. A frequent pattern tree can be mined recursively. The frequent pattern tree and associated methods and apparatus of this invention is relatively fast, efficient and scalable and can be used to mine both long and short frequent patterns.

Abstract: Novel polymers are provided having phosphonated and sulphonated substituent groups such that the polymer is multifunctional in its use. Optional amide substituents are used to reduce electrostatic charge density or for hydrogen bonding. An advantage of the polymer is the flexibility of using it for multiple purposes. A particular application is for bonding paper fillers and paper fiber together.

Abstract: A method of improving the brightness of calcium carbonate filled paper. The filled paper is dried and then bleached with an aqueous solution of a bleaching agent. The process may be used on all grades of paper that contain filler and is particularly useful in the bleaching of low brightness grade papers that are produced from mechanical pulp that contain calcium carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product, a process for its preparation and the use of such in plastic film production. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antiblock talc, a process for the preparation of such and its use as an additive in the production of polyolefin film. Polyolefin films produced according to the process of the present invention are useful in a broad range of packaging and film covering applications.

Abstract: An activated aluminosilicate binder containing aluminosilicates, calcium sulphate and an activator containing alkali metal salts is disclosed. The aluminosilicates are selected from a group consisting of blast furnace slag, clay, marl and industrial by-products, such as fly ash, and has an Al2O3 content greater than 5% by weight. Blast furnace slag is present in an amount less than 35% by weight, and cement kiln dust, in an amount of from 1 to 20% by weight, is added to the mixture as an activator.

Abstract: A cored wire consisting of an inner calcium wire surrounded by an aluminum sheath forming a composite core which in turn is encased in a steel jacket. The cored wire is formed continuously by covering an extruded calcium wire with aluminum then inserting the aluminum covered calcium wire into a steel jacket in a roll forming process. Also disclosed is a method of reducing splashing when introducing calcium metal into a molten ferrous metal bath.