Abstract: There is provided a process for the beneficiation of oil shale comprising comminuting oil shale to a maximum particle size that maximizes the separation efficiency index of a physical separation method at a predetermined product yield. The oil shale particles are then separated into organic-rich product and organic-lean refuse by the physical separation methods in which the product yield is adjusted to maximize the separation efficiency index of the separation. Preferred physical separation methods include gravity separation, hydraulic separation by tabling, froth flotation and oil agglomeration.

Abstract: Solid inorganic polymers are derivatives of phosphorous or phosphonic acids which contain cyclic organo groups selected from the group consisting of alicyclics, aromatics and heterocyclics. They are characterized by the structural linkage of three oxygens bonded to phosphorus to one or more tetravalent metals selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, cerium, hafnium, lead, thorium and uranium. The molar ratio of phosphorus to tetravalent metal is about 2 to 1. One use for the polymers is as stationary phases or supports in chromatography.

Abstract: A process for the production of phosphorus-containing organo-substituted solid inorganic polymers containing oxygen bonded to carbon comprising reacting in a liquid medium (e.g. water) at least one tetravalent metal ion and at least one organophosphorus acid of the formula;[(HO).sub.2 OP].sub.n R or [(HO).sub.2 OPO].sub.n Rwherein n is 1 or 2 and R is an organo group covalently coupled to phosphorus, and which also contains oxygen coupled to carbon but not to phosphorus, and wherein when n is 2, R contains at least two carbon atoms and is directly or indirectly coupled to the phosphorus atoms through different carbon atoms whereby the two phosphorus atoms are separated by at least two carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for the separation of limestone from a particulate limestone ore containing particles of limestone and gangue which comprises conditioning the limestone ore with at least one coupling agent selected from saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids containing from about 4 to about 22 carbon atoms, or at least one coupling agent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic amines containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, and beta amines containing from about 7 to about 21 carbon atoms, to selectively coat the limestone or the gangue in the ore to the substantial exclusion of the other in combination with providing at least one fluorescent dye to said coupling agent; radiating the conditioned ore to excite and induce fluorescence of the fluorescent dye to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated particles from the non-coated particles and separating the fluorescing, coated particles from the non-fluorescing, non-coated particles.

Abstract: There is provided a process for recovery of metal values from an ore body containing sulfide minerals. The ore body is fractured for increasing its permeability. The fractured ore body is then roasted in situ to increase the permeability and porosity of ore body to liquid leach solutions. The roasted sulfide minerals in the ore body are thereafter contacted with a leach solution to extract metal values therefrom and the extracted metal values are recovered.

Abstract: Hydrofluoric acid and/or other fluorine compounds are recovered by reacting fluosilicic acid with a sodium-containing compound to form an alkaline aqueous slurry comprising precipitated amorphous silica and dissolved sodium fluoride. The precipitated amorphous silica is separated from the alkaline aqueous slurry leaving an aqueous solution of sodium fluoride. The sodium fluoride solution can be used as such or reacted with other substances (such as alumina, to form synthetic cryolite). Sodium fluoride is recovered from the aqueous solution (as by evaporation or extraction) and used per se or reacted with sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: Hydrofluoric acid is recovered from fluosilicic acid by reacting fluosilicic acid with sodium sulfate to form sodium fluosilicate. The sodium fluosilicate is reacted with a sodium-containing compound to form an alkaline aqueous slurry comprising silica and dissolved sodium fluoride. The reaction occurs under such conditions that the slurry contains precipitated amorphous silica. The precipitated amorphous silica is separated from the alkaline aqueous slurry leaving an aqueous solution of sodium fluoride. Sodium fluoride is recovered from the aqueous solution and reacted with sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: The efficiency of a solar collector is increased by the use of a solar panel having an adherent coating of a comminuted ferro-alloy. The ferro-alloy displays a high degree of absorption of solar energy in the visible range and a minimal of infrared radiation.

Abstract: A fluosilicate material is added to a suspension of lime in water heated to a temperature at or near its boiling point to form a solid calcium fluoride product in which the silicon present in the fluosilicate material is in chemical combination with calcium. The amount of calcium in the suspension is in excess of stoichiometric for conversion of CaF.sub.2 of all of the fluorine in the fluosilicate and is sufficient to form chemical compounds of calcium and silicon from silicon in the fluosilicate.