Abstract: The application discloses a belt formed of first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet including, respectively, first and second pluralities of tabs spaced apart so as to define first and second pluralities of openings along corresponding first and second edges of the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first plurality of tabs are joined to the second plurality of tabs so as to join the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: The application discloses a belt formed of first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet including, respectively, first and second pluralities of tabs spaced apart so as to define first and second pluralities of openings along corresponding first and second edges of the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first plurality of tabs are joined to the second plurality of tabs so as to join the first edge to the second edge. Also disclosed is a method for forming a belt of a thermoplastic material, including forming angles on a first edge of a first portion of thermoplastic sheet and on a second edge of a second portion of thermoplastic sheet, forming first and second pluralities of openings, respectively, in the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, placing together the first and second edges such that they overlap, and joining the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet together.

Abstract: The application discloses a belt formed of first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet including, respectively, first and second pluralities of tabs spaced apart so as to define first and second pluralities of openings along corresponding first and second edges of the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first plurality of tabs are joined to the second plurality of tabs so as to join the first edge to the second edge. Also disclosed is a method for forming a belt of a thermoplastic material, including forming angles on a first edge of a first portion of thermoplastic sheet and on a second edge of a second portion of thermoplastic sheet, forming first and second pluralities of openings, respectively, in the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, placing together the first and second edges such that they overlap, and joining the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet together.

Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from coal fly ash contaminated by ammonium salts is disclosed. The method involves the addition of small amounts of water, and in some cases, small amounts of an alkali source, to the fly ash to liberate the ammonia trapped therein. The ammonia liberation may be further aided by vigorous mixing of the fly ash.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating carbon particles from flyash includes one of increasing a relative humidity of the flyash or decreasing the relative humidity of the flyash to within an optimum humidity range, and introducing the flyash within the optimum humidity range into a triboelectric separator so as to triboelectrically charge the carbon particles and the flyash and so as to electrostatically separate the charged carbon particles from the charged flyash.

Abstract: In a belt separator system for separating constituents of a mixture of particles, the belt having a leading deflective surface at an acute angle to the direction of belt travel so as to impart a transverse momentum component to the constituent in a direction toward a longitudinal centerline of the belt separator system.

Abstract: A belt-type counter-current separator for separating a mixture of particles, including conductive particles, includes a voltage radiant assembly having a plurality of conductive elements inter-disposed with a plurality of dielectric elements. The plurality of conductive elements are coupled to respective nodes of a voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage between a high potential electrode, of the electrostatic separator, and a reference potential. The plurality of conductive elements and dielectric elements in combination with the voltage dividing circuit limit a voltage potential between any adjacent conductive elements to a maximum potential so as to prevent sparking due the presence of conductive particles in the separator. In one embodiment of the separator, the voltage gradient assembly is an extruded plastic material having both conductive and non-conductive elements and pieces of alumina are disposed between the conductive elements to provide a durable voltage gradient surface.

Abstract: Improved belt for a charged particle separation system, the belt being an extruded article made from a host polymer and additive composition. The host polymer and additive are selected to yield a belt with tailored properties such as wear resistance, creep, coefficient of friction, and charging properties.

Abstract: An improved method for reclaiming waste printing ink is provided that requires no dilution nor blending with virgin ink wherein substantially all entrained water and solvent contamination is removed in a vacuum distillation step. Solid impurities are removed via a subsequent filtration method that leaves the ink's pigment content substantially undiminished.